As some of you may have gathered, the classic Negroni cocktail is one of my favourite gin serves. Seeing as 2019 is the 100th anniversary of the Negroni cocktail, I’m very happy to be exploring the breadth of this simple cocktail with you in this post. I even dyed my hair the colour of my favourite drink! #sponsoredbynegroni – not!
Cheers to the bitter beauty that is the Negroni
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Negroni cocktail in 2019 #N100
What is a Negroni?
A Negroni cocktail is *classically* three equal parts of gin, Campari and sweet (red) vermouth. These are stirred with ice and then served in a rocks class with a slice of fresh orange. That’s the classic way to serve a Negroni, however there are literally hundreds of variations that can be done (and that’s before you switch out the gin for other spirits!). We’ll talk about these more below…
Classic Italian aperitivo – a Negroni served with a plate of nibbles pre dinner
The history of the Negroni cocktail:
The story goes a little something like this:
Step back to 1919’s Florence, the Count Negroni had a bit of a shit week and needed something stronger than the classic Americano cocktail. So he asked the barman to replace the soda water with gin and the cocktail ‘in the style of Count Negroni’, eventually shortened to the Negroni, was born.
The Americano cocktail itself is a an ‘Americanised’ version of the classic Italian Milano-Turino. A mix of the Campari bitter from Milan and the sweet Vermouth from Turino. The result was a little too bitter for American tourists visiting Italy on their Grand Tours, and so they added soda water to lengthen and offset the bitterness (the salt in the soda water also reduces the bitter flavours). According to the Italians, this American obsession with adding water also led to the Americano coffee (espresso lengthened with extra hot water).
Is it true?
Now the story of how the Negroni cocktail came to be and the actual background of the Count Negroni has been under much scrutiny. This article from the Drinking Cup cites new evidence that the story above is essentially true. However another branch of the Negroni family still disputes this, saying their Count Negroni invented the Negroni cocktail in Senegal.
Whichever story you believe/like, one thing is certain – the Negroni is having it’s time now!
Negroni variations
As mentioned above there are so many variations that can be made simply by switching up one or all three of the ingredients. Depending on the gin you are using you will still get a variation in the drink’s character, ideally all elements need to be balanced. E.g. maybe switch out the Campari for Aperol if you are looking for a sweeter version, or using a lighter floral gin. Or amp up the gin impact by doubling it to the other spirit measures (incidentally this is the house pour at Dark Horse cocktail bar in Bath – a little extreme if you do as I did with Sipsmith VJOP!)
Or have your Negroni served in an ice ball, as I did at The Spiritualist in Glasgow:
(not recommended for any flavour reason – purely for the gimmick!)
Recommended Negroni variations from the people that drink gin!
If, like me, you’d rather not #cheatongin, then here are some variations on the Negroni recipe as recommended by my favourite gin bloggers and instagrammers:
White Negroni
Not for those in the #nonegroniwithoutCampari camp. The ‘white’ (it’s more yellow in colour in reality) Negroni uses different ‘bitter’ elements, such as Suze or Cocchi Americano in place of the brightly coloured Campari. Depending on which bitter element you use, it then requires balancing with a white vermouth. You might choose a sweet vermouth with Suze or a drier vermouth with the Cocchi.
- 50ml Whitley Neill
- 15ml Suze
- 10ml Italicus
- 10ml Roots Mastiha
- 5ml Cocchi Americano
Combine ingredients and stir with ice. Serve in a rocks glass, garnished with either basil leaves or as above with rosemary.
[NOTE: The Oliver Conquest is now under new management, so don’t expect sublime cocktails like this anymore]
From Matt of The Gin Shelf, the Plymouth gin White Negroni alternative.
Plymouth White Negroni
- 50ml Plymouth Gin
- 50ml Suze
- 50ml Dolin Blanc
For a smaller serve, drop measures to 30ml 😎🍸 (Matt does like his negroni’s large! I would normally do 25ml of each of the ingredients)
Sloe Negroni
Plymouth 50/50, as named by Matt from The Gin Shelf.
Plymouth 50/50 Negroni with sloe gin
For a large or small just adjust the measures, but always equal:
. 25ml or 15ml Plymouth Navy Strength gin
. 25ml or 15ml Plymouth Sloe gin
. 50ml or 30ml Campari
. 50ml or 30ml Antica Formula vermouth
For a slightly deeper cherry flavour, you can swap out Antica Formula for Byrrh 😎🍸
Another variation using Sloe gin in place of the vermouth from Inka from On the Sauce Again:
Blood Orange Negroni
Orange goes so well with Campari, that this had to happen! With the launch of several Orange, & even specifically Blood Orange, gins in 2018 this is a natural evolution of the Negroni.
Barrel Aged Negroni
Whilst this isn’t one you can make at home easily (unless you have an empty barrel kicking around?), if you spot it when you are out order it immediately! I recently had the Gower Pinwydd barrel aged Negroni at Junipalooza and it was amazing! The wood adds some flavour, but it also rounds the rough corners off. It smooths out the bitterness and helps to combine the flavours of the Negroni. When used with the orange and cranberry Pinwydd, this makes for a very Christmassy negroni.
If you don’t have a barrel kicking around at home (!) then you can pick up a bottle of pre-mixed and aged Negroni quite easily:
Aged Gin Negroni
Just as barrel aging the whole cocktail makes for a smoother drink and a more interesting cocktail, so does using an aged gin. This is more a tilt towards a whisky tasting drink, using an aged Rye gin. A way to make your Negroni more robust for Autumn perhaps?
Make Inka from On the Sauce Again’s Aged Rye Gin Negroni:
- 25ml Koskue aged rye gin
- 25ml Martini Riserva Speciale Rubino
- 25ml Campari
- Serve with a view of Florence for an authentic feel!
The Martini Riserva Rubino is Inka’s favourite vermouth for a Negroni, and once you’ve tasted it you’ll see why! When considering mixing up the gin and/bitter in your Negroni, don’t neglect the vermouth too. You can totally change the taste of this drink by playing with all three elements.
Inka also shared this recipe from one of her favourite gin bars in Glasgow – Gin71 on Renfield Street – the Ode to Glasgow:
- Makar Mulberry Aged Gin
- Campari
- Buckfast Tonic Wine
She says don’t be freaked out by the Buckfast, it all works very well together! In this case it replaces the vermouth in the classic drink.
Salted Negroni
As I mentioned before, salt reduces the impact of the bitter elements of a drink. It also enhances citrus flavours, so works really well in this Salted Yuzu Aranami Negroni by Jenny from Hidden Curiosities:
Make the Hidden Curiosities Salted Yuzu Negroni:
- 25ml Aranami Navy Strength
- 25ml Cocchi Americano Rosa
- 25ml Campari
- 15ml Yuzu Liqueur
- Drop or two of saline solution, or a small pinch of rock salt (or serve with a salted rim)
- Garnish with lemon peel
Negroni di Quattro Amari
Mix up the bitters elements, with the addition of different Italian amaro in this version from Julian Vallis:
- 40ml Beefeater 24
- 20ml Antica
- 10ml Punt e Mes
- 20ml Campari
- 10ml Aperol
- Garnish: fat wedge of pink grapefruit or blood orange
Classic Negroni Variations:
Some of the classic variations that use a spirit other than gin are below #cheatingongin
Boulevardier
Instead of gin, Bourbon is used. This leads to a drink that is naturally sweeter, due to the underlying sweetness of the Bourbon itself. This might be a good introduction to the Negroni if you aren’t sure about the bitter aspect.
Boulevardier with Wild Turkey, Campari and Antica Formula at Ladies and Gents bar in Camden Town
Tegroni
Replace the gin with tequila to mix things up for Summer.
Mescal Negroni
Using Mescal in place of gin or tequila ups the smokey nature of the drink, balancing the bitter notes from the Campari to make something with a much more complex and interesting flavour. One to be savoured slowly.
Negronski
Replace gin with vodka – but why?!
N100 and Negroni Week 2019
Cheers to the Count!
You can raise a glass to the Count Negroni at one of seven parties happening across the UK. To celebrate the centenary of the Negroni, Campari are holding a massive birthday party to kick-start proceedings. There will be 100 different Negroni variations to choose from – will the ones above make an appearance?!
Join in on the 20th June at The Vinyl Factory, 18 Marshall St, Soho, London, W1F 7BE.
Negroni Week 2019
Continue the party into Negroni Week 2019 with a series of parties with six partner bars in London, Manchester and Edinburgh:
- Saturday, 22nd June – Oriole N100 Club Night: Mixology: The art of Negroni – London
Celebrate at Oriole’s Negroni 100 Club, a decadent Italian discotheque. Drinks include the Oriole Negroni, Americano and Boulevardier, with other cocktails available. Seated table tickets (including complimentary pre-batched Negronis for the table) are available alongside standing tickets and walk-ins
- Sunday, 23rd June Hoot the Redeemer: The Rulebreakers – Edinburgh
The Negroni was born from a transgression by Count Camillo. In an ode to the eccentric creator of the Negroni, Hoot the Redeemer will be serving their own twist on the classic cocktail. There will be five on offer, choose from the Negroni Ice Cream (£4) – Campari, gin, sweet vermouth, Teuchter’s Burd Slushy (£5) – Campari, Islay whisky, pineapple, lime, Plaza Garibaldi’s (£5) – Campari, tequila, orange juice, The Skagliato (£6) – Campari, Buckfast, Irn-Bru and Munro Bagger (£6) – Campari, single malt whisky, sweet vermouth
- Tuesday 25th June – Jealous Prints: Campari Creates – London
Jealous Prints is a contemporary gallery based in East London’s creative hub of Shoreditch. For one-night only Jealous Prints will encapsulate the creative history of the Negroni and invite consumers to be inspired to create your very own personalized Negroni and Negroni artwork.
- Wednesday, 26th June – Vermuteria: Cafe Culture – London
Vermuteria, located in Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross is an all-day café and bar serving a fine collection of cocktails and Vermouth. A dedicated Negroni will be available on the terrace of Vermuteria for you to choose from. Be sure to try the Clear Negroni made with a rare 1965 Campari Cordial.
- Thursday 27th June – Science and Industry: N100 – The Classics – Manchester
Science & Industry is an eccentric and experimental hideaway in Manchester. They’ll be showcasing the N100 classics with a menu that uses their drinks laboratory to create experimental takes on Negronis, Americanos, Boulevardiers, and Sbagliatos.
- Thursday 27th June – Callooh Callay: Globetrotters – London
Often regarded as one of Shoreditch’s best cocktail bars, Callooh Callay will showcase the global story of the Negroni. The story may have started in Florence but is spans across the globe and involves Milan, the city of the Bitter, Turin, the city of the Vermouth, London, where Count Camillo used to go, and New York of the Golden Age of Cocktails.
How will you be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Negroni? Tell me in the comments below!
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Chocoviv says
June 20, 2019 at 7:44 amWow! So many types!
Natalie says
June 20, 2019 at 11:53 pmSuch a great read Katie. I’m obsessed with Negronis at the moment. Need to try some of these variations.
Katie says
June 21, 2019 at 7:56 amThanks! Aren’t we all obsessed at the moment Natalie?!
LeratoB says
June 23, 2019 at 10:26 pmWow the sloe negroni looks amazing. Honestly didn’t even know there were so many types. Guess you learn something new everyday. This post was really informative
Katie says
June 24, 2019 at 10:34 amThanks Lerato! It was quite a while in the making!
Kalyan Panja says
June 24, 2019 at 6:00 pmThat looks a nice collection of cocktails with so many variants. I can’t wait to taste one.
Katie says
June 24, 2019 at 6:06 pmThis week is the week to try them Kalyan, there are bars all over the world with special offers on!
sharonodegaard says
June 24, 2019 at 6:26 pmThe negroni looks so yummy! I have not heard of an “anniversary” of a drink, but what an interesting celebration!
Katie says
June 24, 2019 at 6:32 pmHaha it’s definitely a first Sharon!
delacroixllc says
June 25, 2019 at 3:31 amI love a drink with a little intrigue in its backstory! And, this looks like the perfect combination of sweet and bitter. I definitely could use a salted negroni today!
Katie says
June 25, 2019 at 7:46 amI’d recommend trying one out!
Inka Larissa says
June 26, 2019 at 11:33 amSO many recipes! Magic! Happy Negroni Week!
Katie says
June 26, 2019 at 12:05 pmI have so many more coming up this week too! Definitely a reason to celebrate! 🥃🙌
ian florey says
June 26, 2019 at 2:45 pmoh wow what a great site and read…have you tried Anno 60 Squared 60% Gin in a Negroni its AMAZING !!
Katie says
June 26, 2019 at 2:48 pmI’ve not tried it yet Ian – but Navy strength + gins are made to shine in cocktails, so I imagine the Anno 60 would work well in a negroni!
stylisland says
June 28, 2019 at 7:07 pmi will admit I (gasp) have never tried a negroni – on the other hand i LOVE the idea of matching your hair to the drink!!! I’m a big supporter of fashion matching your food 🙂
Katie says
June 28, 2019 at 8:12 pmHahaha thanks! 😂