Isn't this the simplest recipe ever? Also, you'll need to add half a slice of orange (orange twist) or a small piece of orange peel and some ice cubes for the necessary dilution (and please, never use lemon instead of orange!)

White Negroni: For a lighter, floral take, use Lillet Blanc instead of vermouth and Suze instead of Campari. Tanqueray No. 10 (botanicals: juniper berries, coriander seeds, angelica, licorice, fresh white grapefruit, fresh lime, fresh orange and chamomile flowers).

Shaken or Stirred

Although the traditional Negroni recipe keeps it simple, there are those that feel bitters can provide a bit more subtly. Granted I haven’t explored this option (yet), but I’m sure that it won’t be long until my Negroni consumption has moved beyond the novice stage. Negroni Sbagliato The Negroni is so iconic, it’s spawned many variations over the years. The Boulevardier is a spin off on the Negroni using bourbon whiskey instead of gin. Even better, make it a Negroni Sbagliato, a bubbly version with sparkling wine! You can also swap out the Campari for Aperol. Here are a few well-known variations on the Negroni: Sweet vermouth: Too many botanicals can drastically change the flavor profile, so go Italian with Cinzano Rosso or Carpano Antico. Campari tastes bitter, fruity, and spicy all at once. It’s infused with different herbs and fruits, part of a secret recipe. Fun fact: Campari was originally colored so brightly red due to a dye made of crushed insects! That’s no longer in the modern recipe, so it shouldn’t deter you from grabbing a bottle.

And the result? Overall, negronis are known for being a well-balanced, refreshing, bittersweet drink with notes of spice and fruit. Strain. Strain into a lowball or Old Fashioned glass filled with ice (use clear ice for the best look!). Billed as the “kissing cousin” to the Negroni, the Parisian Americano simply replaces Gin with Dry Vermouth.

More Drinks

After initially receiving the wrong product, customer service immediately took care of getting my new crystal glasses out to me. I absolutely love them. They are beautifully clear, go in the dishwasher, don’t have nooks that hold water and are a pleasure to hold in the hand.” – David R.

The glasses are wide enough to hold one large ice cube (so your drink never gets too watered down) and can fit up to eight ounces. Made with lead-free crystal, they’re an effortless way to elevate your serve, and ensure you’re giving your Negroni the respect it deserves.

The Classic Negroni Cocktail: 1:1:1

Bombay Sapphire (botanicals: juniper berries, coriander seeds, liquorice root, almonds, lemon peel, cassia bark, orris root, angelica root, cubeb berries, grains of paradise).

There aren’t many things that have stayed so popular for 100 years. Heinz ketchup, corn flakes, and the Negroni are just about it. Most people splurge on the gin, and in most bars you’ll find they are very proud of the gin they use. I disagree though, the gin is important, but the punch of the campari and vermouth pretty much kill any subtle herbal nuances top shelf gin will get you. I use whatever gin I have on hand, but usually I use Beefeater. Currently I’m drinking Drumshanbo, a gin with Asian inspired botanicals (star anise and cardamom) that is excellent in a Negroni. Simple drinks are all about quality. The better the gin, the better the drink. The easiest way to tell if a gin is high quality? Don’t buy the cheapest gin you can find. Try to invest in a mid-price range gin: the drink will only taste as good as the gin you invest in. Here is where, in my opinion, the biggest difference between a good and a great Negroni is made. I try to stay away from the bottom shelf vermouth such as Martini. I’d rather spend my money on a good vermouth over a top shelf gin any day. My favorites are Punt e Mes, Cocchi Torino, and especially Carpano Antica. Beefeater London Dry (botanicals: juniper, Seville orange peel, lemon peel, angelica root and seed, coriander seed, orris root, liquorice root and almond) .

Sbagliato Negroni

However, if you like things on the sweet side or if you find the taste of Campari difficult to get acquired to, then you may want to change the ratios a bit and decrease the amount of Campari. For my personal taste, the above proportions will give you the perfect balance between the sweetness of the vermouth, the bitterness of the Campari and the punch of the Gin. Of the three, I really like Carpano Antica because it comes in a smaller bottle. Vermouth is a wine based liqueur, which means the moment you open it, it starts to degrade. You should keep vermouth in the fridge, and buy only a size you know you can finish in under a month. The botanist 22 (botanicals: apple mint, chamomile, creeping thistle, downy birch, elder, gorse, hawthorn, heather, juniper, lady's bedstraw, lemon balm, meadowsweet, mugwort, red clover, spear mint, sweet cicely, bog myrtle, tansy, wild thyme, water mint, white clover, wood sage) In true aperitif fashion, Negronis bring on an appetite. They’re best served with appetizers or small bites before the main course.