If there’s a cocktail worth remembering, it's the Negroni. Originating in Florence in the early 1900s, this drink with a delightful blend of bittersweet and earthy flavors has captured hearts worldwide.
How to Make a Negroni Cocktail
While you need to stick to gin, otherwise the cocktail changes entirely, you can test out different styles of gin, such as Old Tom, Plymouth, London dry, or genever. Play with the proportions, but avoid going overboard too much.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Ice and king cube
- Orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice or a king cube.
- Express the orange peel over the drink by twisting the peel between your fingers, run the outside of the peel along the rim, then drop it into the glass.
Add a splash of orange liqueur for a little sweetness and added citrus flavor. If you don't want any added sweetness but want a little extra citrus flavor, include a few dashes of orange bitters.
Negroni Garnishes to Try
An orange peel garnish is the signature negroni garnish, but that doesn't mean you don't have other options. Try our suggestions instead:
- Use a lemon peel instead of orange.
- Double the subtle citrus notes and use two citrus peels. Express one orange peel over the drink by twisting the peel between your fingers, then run the colorful outside of the peel, not the inner pith, along the rim, before discarding. Express the second orange peel over the glass and leave this peel in the drink. This can be done with an orange, lemon, or both in combination.
- Try a lemon or orange wheel, wedge, or slice.
- A dehydrated orange or lemon wheel gives an elegant touch.
- Carefully carve a design, such as a star or citrus peel coin, for a tastefully done over-the-top look.
Related: 11 Negroni Variations You May Just Fall In Love With
The Bitter Truth
It might have those solidly bitter notes, but the gin and sweet vermouth complete this iconic cocktail. While the flavors can be an acquired taste, they're worth returning to as palates change. The negroni has served as the mother drink to countless other well-known cocktails, including the boulevardier and old pal, making it well worth knowing and loving.
