A bittersweet Italian aperitivo which has been enjoyed for over 100 years. The story goes that in 1919, Count Camillo Negroni walked into Caffè Casoni in Florence and asked bartender Fosco Scarselli to strengthen his Americano cocktail by swapping soda water for gin. The drink was an instant hit, and the Count's name stuck. It remains one of the world's most ordered cocktails — bold, balanced, and effortlessly elegant.
Serves: 1 - although we always recommend you drink with friends and never alone
Glass: Rocks glass (Old Fashioned) over a large ice cube
Ingredients
- 30ml GFG London Dry Gin
- 30ml Campari (or try out our Aperoffi)
- 30ml sweet vermouth (e.g. Still Wild)
- 1 large ice cube
- Orange peel twist, to garnish
Method
- Add gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stirred, not shaken (as this clouds the drink) for 30 seconds until well chilled and properly diluted
- Strain over a large ice cube in a chilled rocks glass.
- Express orange peel over the glass by twisting it skin-side down, then rest it on the rim to garnish. Serve immediately.
Variations on the theme
Negroni Sbagliato - Replace GFG London Dry Gin with Prosecco for a lighter, fizzy twist. 'Sbagliato' means 'mistaken' in Italian, born from a happy accident in a Milan bar.
Boulevardier - Swap GFG London Dry Gin for bourbon or rye whiskey for a richer, warming version.
White Negroni - Stir GFG London Dry Gin with Lillet Blanc and Suze instead of vermouth and Campari for a floral, less bitter profile.
Mezcal Negroni - Replace gin with mezcal for a smoky, complex character.
TIP: The quality of your spirits matter enormously.
For more cocktail inspiration, check out our GFG Espresso Martini.