A classic Negroni is easy to make and refreshingly bittersweet. It’s made with equal parts Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth and garnished with orange peel. It’s the perfect pre-dinner drink, and it’s ready in just 5 minutes!
If I had to choose just one cocktail to enjoy forever, this would be it. The Negroni is my all-time favorite drink — the one I reach for again and again, no matter the occasion. It works just as beautifully as an apéritif as it does alongside a great steak or a bowl of pasta, and it’s equally perfect after dinner while lingering at the table or chatting with friends at a party. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve mixed up a batch and brought it along to a gathering — it’s hands-down one of the easiest ways to become a favorite party guest.
The Negroni is simple, confident, and effortlessly sophisticated. It’s boldly bittersweet, with just enough sweetness and herbal depth to keep every sip interesting. Made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, it’s an easy recipe to remember and endlessly satisfying to drink. While Negronis can be an acquired taste, they’re also wonderfully customizable — different gins or vermouths subtly shift the flavor, letting you fine-tune the drink to your palate. There’s no shaking involved here, just a quick stir over ice and a twist of orange peel, which adds a surprising amount of aromatic complexity. Whether served before dinner, during a meal, or sipped slowly over conversation, this cocktail always feels right.
How to make an orange twist
Orange peel is a key component of any classic Negroni. It’s used as a garnish but the oils accentuate the flavors of the cocktail. Making an orange twist is a pretty way to present it, too. Let’s make one!
- First, make sure your orange is washed and dried.
- Using a paring knife or vegetable peeler, remove a 2-inch piece of orange peel, trying to avoid the pith (the white part on the inside).
- Trim the edges of the orange peel, slice the ends at an angle, and twist it into shape with your fingers. That’s it!
Make a Negroni pitcher
A Negroni is a perfect drink to make for a crowd, as it can be made in large batches ahead of time. As it’s made with equal parts of each alcohol, it’s simple to scale up. To make a Negroni pitcher, simply use cups instead of ounces. For example, use 1 cup of gin, 1 cup of Campari, and 1 cup of sweet vermouth.
Simply add the ingredients to a pitcher and store it in your fridge. At party time, add some ice and start pouring!
Variations to try
While this classic Negroni recipe will always be my favorite, it’s an easy and fun recipe to play with. Try switching up the gin to make a rum Negroni or mezcal Negroni . Or going rogue and making a coffee Negroni or a white Negroni . A Negroni sbagliato is a lighter, bubbly version, while my frozen Negroni slushy is perfect for summer.
Negroni Recipe
- Pin
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 ounce Campari
- ▢ 1 ounce gin
- ▢ 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- ▢ 1 strip orange peel
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker or large glass jar halfway full with ice. Add the Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth and stir until it’s cold. 1 ounce Campari, 1 ounce gin, 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Put a large format ice cube (or 2-3 regular-sized ice cubes) into a rocks glass.
- Strain your Negroni into a rocks glass with a large ice cube and garnish with a slice of orange peel. 1 strip orange peel
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
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More negroni recipes
Aperol Negroni
Tequila Negroni (AKA Tegroni or Rosita Cocktail)
Negroni Sour
Frozen Negroni Slushy
Negroni Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 strip orange peel
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker or large glass jar halfway full with ice. Add the Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth and stir until it’s cold. 1 ounce Campari, 1 ounce gin, 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Put a large format ice cube (or 2-3 regular-sized ice cubes) into a rocks glass.
- Strain your Negroni into a rocks glass with a large ice cube and garnish with a slice of orange peel. 1 strip orange peel
