A Negroni is an absolute classic cocktail, and a very popular choice for bars and restaurants all over the world. It's one of our favourite cocktails to start with before a meal and our recipe couldn't be easier to make. No fancy tools or techniques required.
What is a Negroni?
A Negroni is an Italian cocktail which combines gin with a bittersweet liqueur - usually Campari, and a semi-sweet red vermouth.
It is classified as an aperitif (which is an alcoholic drink, enjoyed before a meal as a way to stimulate your mouth and stomach for a big meal). Aperitifs are usually dry, tart or fizzy, and all of these qualities help to produce saliva, which in turn helps to improve the way we taste our food.
How to make a Negroni
Making a Negroni is one of the simplest cocktails out there. We've followed a traditional 1:1:1 ratio, but it can easily be adapted to your preference. If you prefer less sweetness, up the gin and reduce the vermouth as an example. A Negroni can also be made in advance and stored in the fridge before guests arrive too.
What does Negroni taste like?
A Negroni has an initial bitter flavour, with notes of orange and a deep, dark red fruit-flavoured sweetness. It can taste herbaceous with a slight medicinal note to it and works well as a cocktail in the wintertime, but equally as refreshing in the summertime.
Is a Negroni really strong?
The typical ABV of a Negroni is about 24%, so this is a strong drink (you are layering 3 types of alcohol onto each other) but only one or two serves is typically needed if you're enjoying it as an aperitif before a meal.
Is Negroni better with Aperol or Campari?
If you want to stick to the classic recipe, we think Campari is the best liqueur to enhance the herbaceous notes found in gin and vermouth. But, replacing Campari with Aperol is a delicious version, and ends up yielding a lighter and more tart cocktail. It's personal preference if you prefer a more intense and rich drink vs a lighter and fruitier drink.
