Negroni
Equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, stirred over ice with an orange peel. Invented in Florence in 1919 when Count Camillo Negroni asked for his Americano to be made stronger.
Photograph credit: Negroni cocktail by Unknown · CC0 1.0 · Rawpixel
Method
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Chill a rocks glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes.
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Fill a mixing glass two-thirds full with good cubed ice — not crushed, which dilutes far too quickly.
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Pour in the gin, Campari and vermouth.
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Stir with a bar spoon, keeping the spoon against the side of the glass, for 25 to 30 seconds.
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The outside of the mixing glass should frost over. Taste it: it should be cold, aromatic and just slightly softened.
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Put a single large ice cube in the chilled rocks glass.
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Strain the Negroni over it.
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Cut a wide swathe of orange peel, hold it skin side down over the drink, and squeeze firmly so the oils spray across the surface.
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Rub the peel around the rim and drop it in.
Chef’s Tips
- Stir, never shake. A shaken Negroni is cloudy, foamy and wrong.
- One large cube in the glass melts far more slowly than several small ones.
- Vermouth is a wine and oxidises. Refrigerate the bottle after opening and use it within a month.
Pairing Suggestions
- Olives, salted almonds and crisps, as aperitivo
- Before dinner, never after
- A plate of salumi
Storage & Reheating
Batch it in a bottle at a ratio of 1:1:1 plus 20% water, keep it in the freezer, and pour straight over ice.
Common questions
How long does Negroni take to make?
About 5 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and of cooking. The recipe serves 1.
What are the key tips for making Negroni?
Stir, never shake. A shaken Negroni is cloudy, foamy and wrong. One large cube in the glass melts far more slowly than several small ones. Vermouth is a wine and oxidises. Refrigerate the bottle after opening and use it within a month.
What should I serve with Negroni?
Olives, salted almonds and crisps, as aperitivo; Before dinner, never after; A plate of salumi.
Can Negroni be made ahead or frozen?
Batch it in a bottle at a ratio of 1:1:1 plus 20% water, keep it in the freezer, and pour straight over ice.
Is Negroni suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, low-carb and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Negroni?
About 212 kcal per serving, with 0 g protein, 12 g carbohydrate and 0 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.