Negroni
4.7 1,592 ratings
Ingredients
How to make
Serve in a old-fashioned glass
Prepare
- 1 Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
- 2 Prepare garnish of orange wedge or slice and/or orange zest twist.
Method
- 3 POUR all ingredients into ice-filled glass.
- 4 STIR.
Garnish
- 5 Garnish with orange wedge or slice and/or orange zest twist.
Flavour profile
21.6% alc./vol. · 1.4 standard drinks · 183 calories
History
The Negroni, a sophisticated yet simple drink with a deep red hue, is designed for a mature palate and is often considered too bitter by some. Its character comes from vermouth, balanced by the bittersweet liqueur, and elevated by the vibrancy of gin. It serves as an ideal aperitivo, and while enjoyed globally, it is the traditional choice for aperitivo hour in Milan. Most recipes suggest equal parts for the ingredients, aligning with a preferred Negroni balance. In his 2003 book, The Joy of Mixology, Gary Regan firmly stated, "don't experiment with the proportions here - the balance is of primary importance.... and using equal parts of each ingredient is absolutely necessary to achieve perfection." However, by 2012, Gary's view evolved, as noted in The Negroni: A gaz regan Notion, where he expressed, "you can slap my wrist and call me Deborah if it doesn't also work no matter what ratios you use." He further suggested, "I tend toward around 4 parts gin to one part each of sweet vermouth and Campari". Alice Lascelles, in her book Ten Cocktails, offered a similar perspective, advising, "if you're feeling really cocky, you can even alter the balance of the formula without putting yourself in mortal danger - just make sure you always observe that holy trinity of earthy/spicy (vermouth), bittersweet/syrupy (Campari or similar Italian bitter) and strong/clean gin, vodka or even blanco tequila can work - although gin is always best, I think." While some mistakenly advocate for shaking the Negroni, it should be stirred. Yet, the straightforward nature of this drink suggests a preference for simplicity, leading to the method of combining and stirring the ingredients directly over ice in the serving glass, bypassing separate mixing tools. For those who prefer a Negroni served "up" in a chilled coupe, thorough stirring with ice is crucial to achieve the necessary dilution, which enhances the drink's botanical complexity. An orange twist or slice is the mandatory garnish for a Negroni; using a lemon is considered a grave error.