This Negroni recipe is easy to make with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. It’s a delicious, classic cocktail—bitter, citrusy, and sweet.
A Negroni is one of Jack’s favorite summer cocktails. If I’m sipping an Aperol spritz or a glass of white wine (or even better, rosé), there’s a good chance he’s enjoying this classic Italian drink.
He’s not the only one who’s a fan—the Negroni cocktail became a bit of a (ok, a major) trend in the last few years, so I thought it was about time we shared a recipe here, especially now that we’re heading into summer.
You can find our go-to Negroni recipe below. This classic recipe is easy to make with 4 ingredients, and it has a boozy, bitter, and slightly citrusy flavor with a touch of sweetness. In Italy, it’s a common aperitivo, or pre-dinner drink. Why not make it for happy hours all summer long?
What is a Negroni cocktail?
In case you’re not familiar, a Negroni is an Italian cocktail made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
It likely evolved from the Americano cocktail, a drink made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water. The story goes that Count Camillo Negroni, an Italian count living in Florence, Italy, in the early twentieth century, ordered his Americanos with gin instead of soda water, and thus the Negroni was born.
Negroni Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- Gin – Use any brand you love. Our go-tos are Hendrick’s, St. George Botanivore, and Koval Dry Gin.
- Campari – Ever tried Aperol? Campari is another bittersweet Italian liqueur, and it’s actually made by the same company. It gives this drink its vibrant color, bitter finish, and notes of orange peel.
- Sweet vermouth – This fortified wine sweetens the Negroni and enhances the Campari’s bitter, earthy notes. Two of our favorite brands are Dolin and Carpano’s Antica Formula.
- Orange peel – For garnish! I love how it brings out the orange-y notes in the Campari.
- And ice – The colder this cocktail is, the more refreshing it is. You’ll stir the ingredients with ice to chill them and also serve the finished drink over ice.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Variations
Negroni variations have been all the rage lately.
- Negroni sbagliato – Replace the gin with prosecco for a bubblier, brighter drink.
- Boulevardier – Jack loves this one! Use bourbon or rye whiskey instead of the gin.
Let me know if you try one!
How to Make a Negroni
Making a Negroni couldn’t be easier, especially because it has a 1:1:1 ratio of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
Just add an ounce of each to a mixing glass with ice, and stir until chilled.
Strain into a cocktail glass filled with ice or one large square ice cube.
Garnish with the orange peel and serve! A Negroni is a perfect drink to sip with small bites like olives, bruschetta, or an antipasto platter.
- Tip: Because you use the same amount of every ingredient in this drink, you can easily scale up the recipe to make multiple cocktails. I use one ounce of everything to make one cocktail. Use two ounces to make two, etc!
More Classic Cocktail Recipes
If you loved learning how to make a Negroni, try one of these classic cocktails next:
Negroni
Serves 1
This classic Negroni recipe is easy to make with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. It’s boozy and complex, with a bitter, citrusy, and slightly sweet flavor.
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Ice, for mixing, plus 1 large ice cube
- Orange peel, for garnish
Prevent your screen from going dark
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Add the gin, Campari, vermouth, and a few ice cubes to a mixing glass. Stir until chilled.
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Place the large ice cube in a rocks glass. Strain the gin mixture over it. Garnish with an orange peel.