NEGRONI
The Negroni: The Italian Aperitivo cocktail That Conquered the World
The Negroni was invented in 1919 at Caffè Casoni in Florence, Italy, when Count Camillo Negroni asked bartender Fosco Scarselli to strengthen his favorite cocktail, the Americano. Scarselli replaced the soda water with gin and added an orange garnish instead of lemon, creating what became known as the Negroni.
The drink's equal-parts formula of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth creates a perfectly balanced bitter-sweet profile. The Campari provides the distinctive red color and bitter orange flavor, while the sweet vermouth adds herbal complexity and sweetness. The gin contributes botanical notes and alcoholic strength that the original Americano lacked.
The Negroni remained primarily an Italian drink until the craft cocktail revival of the 2000s, when bartenders worldwide rediscovered classic recipes. The drink's bold, unapologetic bitterness appealed to modern cocktail culture's appreciation for complex flavors. By the 2010s, the Negroni had become a global phenomenon, inspiring countless variations and even its own annual celebration, Negroni Week.
What makes the Negroni endure is its simplicity and balance. The equal-parts recipe is easy to remember and scale, while the combination of bitter and sweet creates a drink that works as both an aperitivo before dinner and a satisfying sipper any time. The drink is typically built directly in the glass and stirred, making it accessible for home bartenders.
RECIPE:
1 oz gin
1 oz Campari
1 oz sweet vermouth
Orange peel for garnish
Method:
Add gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to rocks glass with ice
Stir gently to combine and chill
Express orange peel over drink and drop into glass
Serve immediately