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Classic Italian Negroni Cocktail

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A ruby-red Negroni cocktail with clear ice and a wide orange peel in a rocks glass.

The Negroni is an Italian aperitivo classic built from equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and bitter red aperitivo, finished with orange peel.

Its memorable one-to-one-to-one ratio makes it easy to mix, but proper chilling and dilution are essential to smooth the bold bittersweet flavors.

A ruby-red Negroni cocktail with clear ice and a wide orange peel in a rocks glass.

Use fresh sweet vermouth and keep the opened bottle refrigerated. Oxidized vermouth makes the finished drink taste flat.

Serving Suggestions

Serve before dinner with olives, salted nuts, crostini, cured meats, or aged cheese.

Close view of a chilled Negroni with red cocktail, clear ice, condensation, and orange peel.

Recipe Notes

A London dry gin gives the drink structure. Stir over plenty of ice until the outside of the glass feels very cold.

A ruby-red Negroni cocktail with clear ice and a wide orange peel in a rocks glass.

Classic Italian Negroni Cocktail

A bittersweet Italian aperitivo of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and red bitter aperitivo with orange peel.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 195

Ingredients
 
 

Cocktail
  • 1 oz London dry gin
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth fresh and chilled
  • 1 oz red bitter aperitivo
  • 1 large clear ice cube
  • 1 strip orange peel

Equipment

  • Mixing glass
  • Jigger
  • Bar spoon
  • Strainer
  • Rocks glass

Method
 

Stir and Serve:
  1. Add gin, sweet vermouth, and bitter aperitivo to an ice-filled mixing glass.
  2. Stir for 20 to 25 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
  3. Strain over a large clear cube in a rocks glass.
  4. Express the orange peel over the surface and add it to the glass.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 15gSodium: 5mgSugar: 13g

Notes

  • Refrigerate opened sweet vermouth.
  • Equal proportions make scaling simple.
  • This recipe makes one alcoholic drink; serve responsibly.

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