Looking for negroni recipes? Here’s how to make a negroni cocktail, you only need gin, vermouth and campari. Or read on to see some great twists on the Italian aperitivo. Next, try more Italian cocktails.
Not only is the negroni now a common sighting on bar menus, it’s actually quite rare to find a bar that wouldn’t know what you’re talking about if you ordered “off menu”. With gin and vermouth exploding in popularity, new styles, fresh takes and old classics are being created up and down the country. There is a wealth of combinations to explore (even if you stick to the equal part formula), but here are plenty of negroni variations that will have you thinking about what can only be described as the perfect aperitivo. From classic to adventurous, use this list as inspiration for what to try next.
Best negroni recipes
Classic negroni
Want to know how to make the best negroni? Check out our quick and easy recipe for this punchy Italian cocktail.
Negroni sbagliato
Swapping the gin for prosecco makes for a lighter negroni and softens the bitterness, an ideal aperitif for those who find a classic negroni a bit much.
Rum negroni
Rum makes this drink a little gentler than a classic gin negroni. Decant into a hip flask for sipping on wintry walks.
Rosé negroni sbagliato
Give the sbagliato a summery twist for a refreshing summer aperitivo.
Rhubarb and ginger negroni
This update on the classic negroni using rhubarb and ginger is a great shout for the festive period. It comes from Black Dice, a 1960s rock ‘n’ roll inspired bar tucked away beneath Moroccan restaurant MOMO in Mayfair.
Four Pillars classic negroni
This is so simple to make and you can pretty much use any gin you fancy, so experiment and see which you like best. We’ve used Four Pillars for this, an Australian gin from the Yarra Valley. You can play around with the measure (try 25ml, for instance) as long as the ratio remains the same.
what you’ll need
Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin 45ml
Campari 45ml
Red Cocchi Vermouth Di Torino 45ml
orange segment 1
what to do
Pour ingredients over ice in an old-fashioned glass and stir together. Squeeze and drop an orange segment into the glass and serve.
The rogroni
This is the same principal as the classic but uses spicy Regal Rogue vermouth for a fresher, lighter update to the traditional, super-bitter negroni – perfect for the summer months. Read more about Regal Rogue and vermouth here.
what you’ll need
Regal Rogue Rosso 37.5ml
Aperol 12.5ml
gin 25ml
orange wedge to serve
what to do
Put all of the ingredients into a tumbler, fill with ice and stir for a few seconds. Serve with a large orange wedge.
White negroni
A twist on the classic negroni from Raw Duck in Hackney, this version uses Suze instead of Campari, and white vermouth instead of red. Watch a video recipe for this cocktail here.
what you’ll need
gin 25ml
Suze 12.5ml
white vermouth 35ml
orange zest
what to do
Pour all of the ingredients into a mixing glass, fill with ice and stir to dilute slightly. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange zest.
Elderflower negroni
This floral twist on the negroni comes from The Lady Ottoline pub in London.
what you’ll need
gin 25ml
Campari 15ml
sweet vermouth 25ml
elderflower cordial 10ml
what to do
Stir all of the ingredients over ice and serve with a sprig of elderflower or an orange zest.
Written by Hannah Guinness, Sarah Kingsbury and Oliver Ward
