This refreshing, gorgeous, classic negroni recipe is easy to make with four simple ingredients.
Our week of summery cocktail recipes continues here on the blog today with the bold, crisp, vibrant drink that always steals the spotlight at a backyard happy hour…
…the negroni.
I’ve been fan of this classic Italian cocktail for years, in part because I think they are simply gorgeous, with the colorful orange peel contrasting with that striking red Campari. But mostly I’ve loved negronis because they are refreshingly not very sweet, thanks to the bitter Campari and gin balancing with the sweet vermouth. Which makes them the perfect cocktail for a cool aperetif, or sipping slowly long into warm summer evenings.
The recipe is also quick and easy to memorize, with equal parts of its three main ingredients. So since the official annual Negroni Week kicks off on Monday, I thought I would bump this recipe back to the top of the blog so that we can all raise a glass to celebrate. Let’s make some negronis!
Negroni Recipe | 1-Minute Video
Negroni Ingredients:
To make a classic negroni cocktail, you will need equal parts of these three ingredients:
- Campari: an herby, fruity, bitter Italian liqueur
- Gin: any kind will do
- Red Vermouth: sweet or semi-sweet
Then a negroni is also traditionally served with an orange peel, which you can make by simply running a vegetable peeler or knife around a fresh orange, and then giving it a twist (see below).
How To Make A Negroni Cocktail:
To make a negroni, simply:
- Combine the Campari, gin and vermouth. You can either stir or shake them together with ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Prep your glass. Fill a small cocktail class with ice, then run your orange peel around the rim of the glass for extra flavor.
- Strain the cocktail. Strain the mixture over the ice.
- Garnish. Place the orange peel on top, or nestle it into the side of the drink, then…
- Serve! And enjoy!
See? So lovely!
Again, be sure to check out our other new cocktail recipes on the blog if you are looking for some summer sipping inspiration. But otherwise, I wish you a happy Negroni Week ahead, and cheers!
Negroni
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
Description
This refreshing, gorgeous, classic negroni recipe is easy to make with four simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce sweet or semi-sweet red vermouth
- orange peel
Instructions
- Combine Campari, gin and vermouth in a cocktail shaker with a few cubes of ice, and stir or shake briefly to combine until the mixture is chilled.
- Run the orange peel around the rim of a serving glass filled with ice. Strain the cocktail over the ice, and garnish with the orange peel.
Favorite cocktail!!
I made this for a few colleagues and it was an instant hit, no one wanted to stop on even after 2, thus I would recommend it with everyone, I just added one step to the recipe by adding sparkling water to top it off.
Any gin will not do.
I used to make a Negroni like this until I asked a bartender why his was so much better than mine. It was the gin. The botanicals in Hendricks adds too many flavors to the drink. Use Plymouth gin and it will be more balanced.
(Save the Hendricks to drink on the rocks with a slice of cucumber.)
If you haven’t tried a Boulevardier you must! It’s just like a negroni but sub whiskey or rye for the gin. xo
You always have so many beautiful, simple, and delicious cocktail recipes to share!
gorgeous yes, and a classic, elegant and even a bit suave with the twisted orange peel, thank you for making this one of your summery cocktails
I love Negroni’s (last one I had was in the North End of Boston) and yours is beautiful . . . but I want to know more about your glassware :).
In the 1920s Americans visiting Italy complained the Compari was too bitter, so a bartender at the bar Gia Cosa on the fashionable via Tournabuoni in Florence and called it the Americano. Barone Negroni walked in, tasted it, and said it was good but needed a kick “Add gin,” he instructed. And thus the Negroni was born. Gia Cosa is not there these days but when I was in Italy I visited it and saw the brass plaque on the wall honoring the birthplace of the Negroni.
Negronis and Margaritas! My two favorites as well. Great minds and all that.
The only drawback to a Negroni is that it’s all booze. That’s why I like it as a Negroni Fizz. Fill a Collins glass about a third full with ice, 2 oz. each of the spirits (I like Citadelle or Bombay Sapphire for the gin), and fill to the top with club soda. A quick stir and you’re ready for some summer sipping enjoyment.
We like the Negroni Fizz as well, Brad — thanks for sharing! :)
Contrary to what I said here, I’ve learned over time – club soda first, then the Negroni mix. No stirring required that way.