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3 Variations on the Negroni

Like all good cocktail stories, the origin story of the Negroni is one of legend. Most accounts credit the recipe to Count Camillo Negroni, a freewheeling nobleman who, while drinking at Florence's Caffe Rivoire in 1919, decided the popular Americano—Campari, sweet vermouth and soda—just wasn't strong enough. Since then, it's gone on to become an iconic Italian aperitivo. A drink that saw a huge resurgence during the cocktail boom on the early aughts. Barman extraordinaire and author Gary Regan writes in his book, The Negroni, "it's one of the simplest and most elegant drink formulas around: combine one part gin, one part sweet vermouth, and one part Campari, then stir and serve over ice." So by now, we're all familiar with the negroni. And while it doesn't require improving, that doesn't mean there aren't tons of twists and riffs on the classic strong-bitter-sweet tipple. Herewith, three you should try at home.

1

Boulevardier

 

One of the simpler riffs on the standard negroni, this basically swaps out the gin for a heavy pour of a nice bourbon (like Maker's Mark or Hudson Baby Bourbon). It's a sturdy drink, dating back to the late 1920s, that still has a negroni's signature refreshing bite.

Ingredients

1 ½oz

Bourbon

1oz

Campari

1

Orange peel

Technique

  • Pour the liquid ingredients into a mixing glass.
  • Fill mixing glass 2/3 full of ice and stir until well chilled (approximately 45 seconds).
  • Strain into a rocks glass with one large ice cube.
  • Garnish with a orange twist.
 
2

White Negroni

 

Think Campari is a bit too bitter? Try this White Negroni from Tuxedo No. 2. Instead of Campari, they use Suze (a bittersweet French liqueur made from gentian root) and Lillet Blanc instead of sweet vermouth. The result is a smoother sister to the standard negroni.

Ingredients

1oz

Gin

1oz

Suze

(or Salers)

1

Lemon peel

Technique

  • Combine all ingredients with ice and stir.
  • Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.
 
3

Oaxacan Negroni

 

One of our new favorites, this richly layered variation, from The Cocktail Dudes, swaps out the gin for a mix of smokey mezcal and silver tequila. The mezcal's flame-charred flavors add a tasty depth to the Campari's sweetly bracing citrus tang.

Ingredients

Technique

  • Add all ingredients, with ice, to a mixing glass.
  • Stir to chill and strain into a Margarita glass.
  • Garnish with an orange twist.

Further Reading

In Gary Regan's book, he not only delves into the drink's fun, fascinating history but also shares 60 recipes for variations and contemporary updates.

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