Gin, Campari and sweet vermouth

• As a classic Italian aperitivo, the Negroni is the second best-selling classic cocktail in the world.
• A standard Negroni only needs three ingredients: campari, gin and sweet vermouth.
• You can make a variety of Negroni-style variations by swapping the gin for a different spirit.
• Visit Insider’s Home & Kitchen Reference Library for more stories.

Perhaps one of the easiest beverages to master, the Negroni is a thing of beauty. It consists in equal parts of gin, campari and sweet vermouth and is a refined libation with an attractive, bright orange tone and lots of cocktail cred. It was sorted by International beverages ranked number two best-selling cocktails in the world for the seventh year in a row in 2021, just behind the over-classic old-fashioned.

As with many classic cocktails, the origin of the Negroni is difficult to pinpoint, says craft spirits expert Melissa Watson (aka The Negroni queen). “The most popular version of the story is that in 1919 Count Camillo Negroni went to his favorite bar in Florence – Caffe Casoni – and ordered an Americano, which is Campari and sweet vermouth with club soda,” says Watson. “He wanted to spice it up and asked the bartender either to add some gin or to trade it in for the club soda.” This is how the Negroni was born.

It has become a standard pre-dinner aperitivo across Italy, designed to open the palate and prepare for the meal ahead.

“People love Negronis for their balance,” says Watson. “[It’s] three big bold ingredients that come together in harmony. “Campari brings bittersweet herbal notes, sweet vermouth layers for added flavor and depth, and gin adds a botanical element, resulting in a drink that is complex, refreshing, and not shy of the ABV.

What is Campari?

The basis of a Negroni is Campari, invented by Gaspare Campari in northern Italy in 1860 and belongs to the family of herbal liqueurs known as Amaro. Made from a secret recipe of herbs, spices, and other ingredients, this bright red spirit is bitter and slightly sweet with notes of orange peel, cherry, and cloves (among others).

Variations of the classic

• Boulevardier: Allegedly invented in Paris in the world-famous Harry’s New York Bar, this version swaps the gin for whiskey or bourbon in the same ratio of 1: 1: 1. The sweetness of the whiskey or bourbon helps offset the bitter notes of the Campari.
• White Negroni: This version was invented by British bartender Wayne Collins at VinExpo in 2001 and calls for equal parts gin, lillet blanc and Suze gentian liqueur with a lemon twist garnish. The resulting drink still retains the bitter component of a classic Negroni (thanks to gentian) but is lighter and more floral with a touch of sweetness.
• Mezcal Negroni: This version uses mezcal, a smoky liqueur adjacent to tequila, in place of gin. “I’m not that into smoke, but the Negroni is a great harmonizer of big, powerful flavors,” says Watson. Garnish with an orange peel.
• Kingston Negroni: Created in 2009 by Joaquín Simó, partner at Casting tapes in NYC, this tropical setting uses navy strength Blacksmith & Cross or another strong Jamaican rum instead of gin. The rum helps to soften the bitterness of Campari and goes well with the complex flavors of wormwood.
• Negroni Sbagliato: Accidentally created in Bar Basso in Milan, this version uses prosecco instead of gin. “You can stick with the same parts and still have a bold cocktail with just a light bubbly, or you can lengthen it to a spritz format for a hot afternoon,” says Watson. “Sbagliato Translated wrongly – allegedly the bartender caught the wrong bottle – but even if it was on purpose, this wrong one is so right. “

Insider tips

The Negroni is an Italian aperitivo standard that has gained international popularity thanks to its impeccable balance and ease of preparation. Everyone can learn to prepare this classic, as its recipe consists of equal parts high quality gin, sweet vermouth and campari. Stir on ice and serve and enjoy!