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Campari Negroni

Follow our classic Negroni recipe and learn how to make the sophisticated Italian sipper with just five ingredients including ice. Unique for its deep red color and acerbic flavor, a Campari Negroni packs a punch with equal parts of bitter Campari, dry gin and sweet vermouth.

Campari Negroni on Window Sill
Image: ©2foodtrippers

Like many, we remember the first time we drank Negronis in Italy.

Our memory involves drinking ruby-red Negronis in Naples as an aperitivo between pizza sessions back in 2012. Initially surprised by the Italian cocktail’s bitterness, we were believers by the time we gulped down the scarlet liquid until ice and orange peel were the only remaining things in our glasses.

Classic Negroni with Orange Twist
Drinking a Campari Negroni is a must during an Italian vacation. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Little did we know that we’d later drink classic Negronis throughout the boot-shaped country from Puglia in the south to Venice in the North. We’ve also imbibed Negronis in European destinations like Turku in Finland.

And why not? This cocktail centenarian is one of the most popular drinks in Italy and the world.

Fun Fact
Beyond the Negroni, signature Italian cocktails include the Americano, Aperol Spritz, Bellini, Garibaldi and Hugo.

History Of The Negroni

Classic Negroni with Jigger
Although the Negroni was invented in Florence, it’s readily available around the world. We crafted this one at home in Lisbon. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Negroni is having a moment. It’s the subject of books and has its own dedicated week each year. However, the Negroni’s bitter citrusy flavors are both unique and unforgettable.

According to Italian folklore, Florentine bartender Forsco Scarselli invented the Negroni in 1919 when Camilo Negroni requested an Americano with gin instead of club soda. With the addition of an orange twist, a cocktail icon was born.

The Negroni pre-dates the Prohibition by a year. Discover more of our favorite Pre-Prohibition cocktails.

Expressing Orange Peel for a Negroni
An orange twist completes a classic Negroni. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Tthe Negroni’s popularity was limited to Italy for decades. One could say that the Italians had an amore (love) for amari (bitters) before bitter amaro liqueurs like Averna and Fernet became part of the cocktail zeitgeist.

Today, cocktail connoisseurs drink classic Negronis at bars around the world. They also drink Negroni variations like the White Negroni (Negroni Bianco) with Suze and the Broken Negroni (Negroni Sbagliato) with Prosecco.

Pro Tip
Check online for details related to the next Negroni Week. The dates change every year.

Ingredients

Negroni Work Station
These simple ingredients and tools are almost all you need to make a classic Negroni at home. All that’s missing is ice chilling in the freezer. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

The Negroni’s simple recipe includes equal parts of three liquors – gin, vermouth and Campari – plus ice and a twist of orange. These five items complete the succinct Negroni ingredient list:

  • Campari
  • Gin
  • Sweet Vermouth
  • Ice Cubes
  • Orange Twist (garnish)

Discover our favorite gin cocktails and our favorite sweet vermouth cocktails.

Three Negroni Liquors
Use the best available liquor when you craft a Negroni. We used these bottles to craft our cocktail at home. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We like to use quality liquor when we make Negronis at home and you should do the same. Right now, we have bottles of dry Bombay gin, Martini Rosso sweet vermouth and Campari that we bought at a local Lisbon liquor store.

These three bottles cost us 11€, 9€ and 15€ respectively, though the prices may be different where you live.

Fun Fact
The same Italian liquor conglomerate, Gruppo Campari, produces red Campari and orange Aperol.

Campari – The Negroni’s Essential Ingredient

Pouring Campari into Jigger
It’s not a Negroni without Campari. The Italian liquor provides the drink’s bitter flavor. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Using Milan’s Campari is not negotiable if you want to craft a truly classic Negroni. Invented in the 19th century and previously colored red with bugs, the bitter aperitif, made with a unique combination of herbs and citrus fruit, is an essential Negroni component.

Discover our favorite Campari cocktails.

Negroni Birds Eye View
Red is the new black when it comes to a Campari Negroni. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Don’t be fooled by the Italian liquor’s fun red color – Campari is both strong and bitter. Although Campari closely guards its secret recipe, it’s common knowledge that the Campari recipe includes bitter herbs in addition to alcohol, water, aromatic plants and fruit.

In terms of strength, Campari’s ABV % ranges from 21 to 28.5% around the world. It’s 25% here in Portugal and 24% in the US.

Pro Tip
Don’t worry if you’re a vegetarian or not a fan of eating bugs. Campari no longer uses insects to achieve its distinctive red color.

How To Make A Negroni

Pouring Campari for Negroni
Be careful when you pour the Campari ingredients. You don’t want to lose a precious drop. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Let us cut to the chase. Crafting a classic Negroni is ridiculously easy with just the following three steps:

  • Mix the three liquors in a rocks glass and gently stir with a bar spoon.
  • Add ice to the glass. We use jumbo ice cubes since they don’t melt too fast. Plus, they look cool.
  • Garnish the Negroni with a freshly peeled orange twist.

The only required tools are a jigger, stirring implement and peeler.

Discover 10 essential bar tools for home mixologists.

Mixing a Campari Negroni
We used a bar spoon to mix this Campari Negroni but any stirring implement will suffice. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Could the classic Negroni recipe be any easier? We think not unless you compare it to opening a bottle of Amarone or Barolo wine. Yes, Italy also produces some of the world’s best wines.

Once you follow our Negroni recipe, all that’s left to do is to pair your creation with snacks like olives and nuts. Better yet, add a meat or cheese plate for the full Italian aperitivo experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Negroni taste like?

Simultaneously bitter and sweet, the Negroni has an herbaceous flavor profile that differentiates it from most other cocktails.

Where was the Negroni cocktail invented?

The Negroni was invented in Italy.

Is the Negroni very alcoholic?

Since the Negroni is made with three different liquors, it’s not a weak drink but it’s also not super strong. You’ll want to sip it slowly and savor the Italian cocktail’s unique flavors.

What are the ingredients in an Negroni?

Campari, Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Ice Cubes and Orange Twist (garnish)

What gin is best for the Negroni?

You’ll want to use your favorite London dry gin when you craft a Negroni at home.

Is the Negroni shaken or stirred?

The Negroni is stirred, not shaken.

What type of glass is best for the Negroni?

We like to serve this cocktail in a lowball glass but you could use any glass for the popular drink.

Did you craft this cocktail? If so, please rate the recipe below.

Negroni on Lisbon Street Close Up
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Campari Negroni Recipe

A Campari Negroni tastes like Italy in a glass. You can make this classic cocktail at home with just a handful of ingredients.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Drink
Cuisine: Cocktail
Servings: 1
Calories: 282kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ ounces Campari
  • 1 ½ ounces gin (dry)
  • 1 ½ ounces sweet red vermouth
  • 1 ice cube (large)
  • orange peel (garnish)

Instructions

  • Pour Campari, dry gin and sweet red vermouth into a glass.
  • Stir gently.
  • Add ice.
  • Express the orange peel by twisting it over the glass and rubbing it along the rim. Then drop it into the glass as garnish.

Pro Tips

  • Serve Negroni in a low ball or rocks glass.
  • As an option, shake the Negroni and serve in a coupe or martini glass.
  • Use a 1:1:1 ratio if you modify the serving size.

Estimated Nutrition

Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 0.1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 42mg | Sugar: 4g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg
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About The Authors

About The Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We purchased the ingredients and tools used to craft this cocktail.

Original Publication Date: May 23, 2020

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