How to Create a Classic Negroni

The Negroni is simultaneously one of the simplest cocktails and also one that you can get the most creative with. Three ingredients come together to create a complex flavour that’s both sweet and bitter, dry and refreshing. Sip yours in the garden on a hot summer’s day, or enjoy it beside the light of a fire in a cosy countryside pub. Wherever you choose to drink yours, make it properly with our classic recipe.

What is a Negroni?

If you’re looking for an alcoholic cocktail, the Negroni is for you! Mixed with equal parts gin, vermouth, and Campari, this is definitely a drink best sipped. There’s a surprisingly fruity nature to this cocktail, making it a favourite in warmer months, though the strong kick of alcohol is perfect for a chilly winter's day. 

First invented over 100 years ago in Florence, Italy, the Negroni is still a staple of Italian mixology. Legend has it that the drink first came about when Count Camillo Negroni requested a bartender make the Americano cocktail stronger by replacing the soda water with gin. The bartender, Fosco Scarselli, then switched out lemon peel for orange, creating the first Negroni. 

The Classic Negroni Recipe

To fix yourself the perfect Negroni, begin with a simple botanical gin. Focus on something with a little bit of body and citrus, adding plenty of character to your Negroni. For a little tang to your drink, try Canaima Amazonian Gin, which hails from South America and oozes plenty of flavour. 

Next, sort yourself a rich vermouth. A simple but dependable option is the Mancino Vermouth Bianco Ambrato, which has a touch of bitterness complimented by a heady complex of florals, citrus, and spice. Or, kick things up a notch with the Mancino Vermouth Vecchio, aged for 12 months in an Italian oak barrel for strong, woody notes and more of a focus on rich flavours, like dark chocolate, cherry, and honey. 

Finally, finish with a traditional Campari. Unchanged since 1860, this herbal, aromatic spirit is the final ingredient in your classic Negroni. 

To create your cocktail, simply:

- Add gin, vermouth, and Campari to a mixing glass
- Fill the glass with ice
- Stir until chilled and strain into a chilled Old Fashioned glass
- Finish with orange zest oil and a twist of orange peel

How to Get Creative With a Negroni

The reason why we often refer to a Negroni as a creative cocktail is that you can play around so much with the base components. By simply switching your gin and vermouth, you create an entirely different drink that leaves a new taste on the tongue. Even Campari can be switched for a newer liquor, transforming the entire foundations of the cocktail! Play around with your spirits until you find the perfect combination of herbal, aromatic, and bitter notes. 

Learn More About Mixology

At UrbanBar, we’re experts in all things mixology. If you’d like to learn more about how to mix both classic and contemporary cocktails, or you’re keen to get to grips with the dynamics of different spirits and liquors, join our Educational Spirit Courses online.