• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Email Series!

5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

Free email series of my best tips!

Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Free Email Series!

    5 Time and Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

    Free email series of my best tips!

  • Visit my other Site: Pancake Recipes

Rachel Cooks®

Easy Healthy-ish Recipes

  • Recipe Index
  • Popular
    • Instant Pot Pinto Beans
    • Green Beans with Bacon
    • Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
    • Roasted Sugar Snap Peas
    • Beef Stew Seasoning
    • Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • Thousand Island Dressing
    • Poppy Seed Dressing
    • Copycat Panera Squash Soup
    • Chocolate Chip Blondies
    • Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast
    • Frosé
    • Best Chocolate Cake
    • Dill Vegetable Dip
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
  • Learn to Cook
    • All The Basics
    • Crostini
    • Delicata Squash
    • Butternut Squash
    • Kabocha Squash
    • Spaghetti Squash
    • Guacamole
    • Croutons
    • Snap Peas
    • Baked Potatoes
    • Baked Bacon
    • Homemade Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
    • Simple Syrup
    • Pickled Red Onions Recipe
    • Toasted Pine Nuts
    • Roasted bone-in Chicken Breasts
    • Poached Chicken
    • Roasted Whole Chicken
    • Easy Cheese Sauce

Dinner Made Easy:

Slow Cooker

5 Ingredients

Grilling

Make Ahead

Sheet Pan

Tacos

Pizza

Home Recipes by Type Beverages Cocktails
DF Dairy-Free

Negroni – How to make the best negroni cocktail!

5
/5
5 mins
4 Comments
Jump to Recipe Video
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 04/09/2021Updated: 02/14/2022

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Dark red cocktail with an orange in it, text overlay reads "how to make the perfect negroni, rachelcooks.com"
Dark red cocktail with an orange in it, text overlay reads "how to make the perfect negroni, rachelcooks.com"
Dark red cocktail with an orange in it, text overlay reads "how to make the perfect negroni, rachelcooks.com"
Dark red cocktail with an orange in it, text overlay reads "how to make the perfect negroni, rachelcooks.com"

Sip a beautifully hued Negroni, a classic Italian cocktail that is refreshingly bitter, and easy to make.

Recipe Overview

Why you’ll love it: This cocktail is beautiful and not too sweet.

How long it takes: 5 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: cocktail jug or large glass, strainer, ice
Servings: 2

Dark red beverage in a short glass, with ice and an orange slice.
Table of Contents
open
  • 1 Recipe Overview
  • 2 About this recipe
  • 3 What you need
  • 4 How to make a Negroni
  • 5 FAQs
  • 6 How to make this cocktail your own
  • 7 Make-Ahead Ideas
  • 8 More classic cocktails
  • 9 Get the Recipe: Negroni

Served ice cold, with an orange slice garnish, a Negroni might very well become your favorite sipper especially if you don’t enjoy overly sweet drinks. Considered an apéritif, or a before-dinner drink, but great all on its own, a Negroni consists of equal parts Campari, red vermouth, and gin.

Reportedly a favorite of Ernest Hemingway and more recently, Anthony Bourdain, a Negroni is a classic. There’s even a special Negroni week to celebrate this cocktail (September 13-19, 2021).

Worried you might say it wrong? The pronunciation is easy: “nuh.grow.nee”.

A Negroni packs a punch since there are no mixers. Take your time and savor every sip. Appreciate the complexity of flavors in this refreshing cocktail. Enjoy it with olive oil roasted almonds, seasoned oyster crackers, or homemade cheese crackers.

About this recipe

A Negroni is easy to make, so easy in fact, that after the first time you stir one up, you’ll probably never have to refer to this recipe again. Don’t forget about me, though, I’ll still be here with lots of exciting cocktail recipes!

The ratio is 1:1:1. That is, one part Campari, one part red vermouth, and one part gin.

You’ll find the complete printable recipe at the end of this post but here’s a quick overview.

Overhead view of a drink with ice and an orange slice, on a black background.

What you need

  • Campari: No substitutes here, you have to buy the one and only Italian-made Campari, a red bitters that is made from an herbal and fruit concoction. It contains alcohol and is often mixed with prosecco for a spritz cocktail.
  • Red Vermouth: A sweeter and richer vermouth than the white variety, it’s also known as Rosso or Rijo vermouth. It’s a fortified wine flavored with botanicals. Since it is a wine, vermouth should be refrigerated once it’s opened and it will keep about a month.
  • Gin: A London dry gin is the best gin for this cocktail.
Separate ingredients for a negroni cocktail.

How to make a Negroni

This recipe makes two cocktails. It’s easy to halve, double, or triple. Just keep in mind the 1:1:1 ration.

First, add ice to a pitcher or large measuring cup. Add measured amounts of Campari, red vermouth, and gin.

Liquid being poured from a jigger into a glass mug.

Stir well, until the ingredients are well chilled by the ice.

Drink being stirred.

Put the desired amount of ice into two glasses. Pour the cocktail evenly into the glasses, straining out the ice from the pitcher.

Drink being poured over ice.

Garnish each cocktail with a slice of orange. If you prefer, a curl of orange peel makes a nice garnish too. Enjoy immediately!

Two cocktails on a black tray.

FAQs

What does a Negroni taste like?

It’s a little hard to describe the taste of a Negroni. It’s on the bitter side, there are herbal notes, and definitely citrus. It contains a lot of spirits and no mixers so there is no fizziness, but a lot of warmth.

Why is it called a Negroni?

This cocktail is named for Italian Count Camillo Negroni, from the early 1900s, who asked his bartender to make an Americano a bit stronger (more alcohol). The bartender obliged and replaced the soda water with gin, and garnished his creation with an orange slice to distinguish it further. Thus the Negroni was born.

What’s the difference between Campari and Aperol?

Both are bitters but Aperol is somewhat sweeter than Campari. Another big difference is the color; Aperol is orange while Campari is a deeper crimson red. The red color up until 2006 was derived from crushed dried cochineal insects but isn’t anymore. Looking for a cocktail with Aperol? Try this easy Aperol Spritz!

How do you make a Negroni less bitter?

There’s a few variations you could make to dial down the bitter edge. Add a dash of simple syrup to taste; squeeze in an ounce of fresh orange juice; or top your drink with splash of club soda or prosecco which will also add fizziness. You won’t have a classic Negroni but it’s your drink so certainly feel free to make it to suit your taste.

Dark red cocktail over ice, on a black tray.

How to make this cocktail your own

  • Add sweetness to your cocktail, tempering the bitterness. See the above paragraph for ideas.
  • Make your Negroni with ice but strain it into glasses without ice.
  • Double the amount of gin for a stronger drink. Or double the Campari or the red vermouth. Totally up to you!

Make-Ahead Ideas

This cocktail is best served immediately. To get a head start, slice the oranges for the garnish and make sure you have plenty of fresh ice. Polish up your glasses so they’re sparkling clean.

Two red cocktails on a black tray.

More classic cocktails

And some classic recipes with a twist …

  • Classic Gin and Tonic Recipe – tips to make the best!
  • Blood Orange Gin Fizz with Elderflower
  • Orange Gin and Tonic with Cinnamon
  • Cherry French 75 – sweet tart perfection!
  • White Russian Recipe – make it your own!
  • White Chocolate White Russian – a twist on a classic!
  • Vanilla Bourbon Fizz (Bourbon Champagne Cocktail)
  • Orange Mojito – refreshing and delicious!
  • Raspberry Rosé Spritzer – easy cocktail!
  • Apple Cider Mule (Fall Moscow Mule)

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Dark red cocktail with ice and an orange slice.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Negroni

5 from 5 votes
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
2 servings
Print Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Sip a beautifully hued Negroni, a classic Italian cocktail that is refreshingly bitter, and easy to make.

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Campari
  • 2 ounces gin
  • 2 ounces red vermouth
  • ice cubes
  • Orange slices

Instructions

  • Add ice cubes, Campari, gin and vermouth to a cocktail jug, measuring cup, or a big glass.
  • Stir for 20-30 seconds until liquid is cold and strain into two glasses.
  • Garnish with half an orange slice each or a twist of orange peel.

Notes

  • Add sweetness to your cocktail, tempering the bitterness. Add simple syrup, to taste, or an ounce of fresh orange juice, or top the cocktail with club soda or prosecco.
  • If desired, make your Negroni with ice but strain it into glasses without ice.
  • Double the amount of gin for a stronger drink. Or double the Campari or the red vermouth.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 3oz., Calories: 195kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Sodium: 3mg, Sugar: 11g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
Did You Make This?Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I love seeing what you made!
Share A Photo! Tag on Insta Rate It
Free email series

5 Time & Stress Saving Cooking Secrets

Free email series of my best tips!

FREE BONUS!

You May Also Like...

  • Beautiful cocktails made with gin and tonic water and lime.
    Classic Gin and Tonic Recipe - tips to make the best!
  • Two light pinkish red cocktails garnished with blood oranges, on a tray.
    Blood Orange Martini
  • Overhead view of an orange cocktail with fresh orange and mint leaves.
    Orange Mojito - refreshing and delicious!
  • Overhead view of gin cocktail with an orange slice, cinnamon stick and star anise.
    Orange Gin and Tonic with Cinnamon
Bright green sugar snap peas in a black skillet, garnished with fresh dill.
Previous Post
How to Cook Snap Peas – so easy!
A potato split open and topped with sour cream, bacon, and green onions.
Next Post
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes – PERFECT potatoes!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review Cancel reply

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here

  1. Alex David says

    April 21, 2021 at 2:15 am

    Nice article. This is an in-depth article that gives information about Negroni. This recipe is easy to understand and simple to make.

    Doubling the amount of gin for a stronger drink is nice advice. This drink must be tried out. Thank you very much. Keep posting more such amazing recipes.

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 28, 2021 at 1:59 pm

      You’re welcome! Cheers!

      Reply
  2. Sabrina says

    April 12, 2021 at 11:08 pm

    I love this cocktail, but never remember to make, thank you!

    Reply
    • Rachel Gurk says

      April 13, 2021 at 2:02 pm

      You’re so very welcome!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Rachel! Life can be complicated, cooking shouldn't be! I believe that you can put a delicious meal on the table without stressing. It's possible, and I'm here to help. Have a seat at my table...let's chat, eat, and have fun! Read more...

Air Fryer Instant Pot 30 Minutes One Pan Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Slow Cooker Vegetarian 5 Ingredients

Trending

Cooked salmon fillet on a grey-toned plate with cooked asparagus spears. The salmon is being flaked with a fork.

Air Fryer Salmon – easy and delicious!

Pizza pasta being scooped from a pan with a wooden spoon.

Pizza Pasta – 1 pan, 20 minutes

Image of a giant bowl of spaghetti with turkey meatballs.

Baked Turkey Meatballs

Asparagus Panzanella Salad

Seasonal

Beef and vegetable stir fry in a black wok.

Beef Stir Fry With Vegetables

Hot honey chicken sheet pan dinner with honey being drizzled on.

Hot Honey Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Sweet and sour shrimp lettuce wrap garnished with green onion.

Sweet and Sour Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

BBQ Chicken burrito bowl with avocado and sour cream.

BBQ Chicken Bowl

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window
Free Bonus!

5 Cooking Secrets to Save Time & Stress

Free email series of my best tips and recipes!

Featured On:

Back to Top
  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Work with Me
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
© 2023 Rachel Cooks®
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled