Negroni Cocktail Recipe
Your Go-To Guide to the Perfect Negroni at Home
There’s something irresistibly timeless about the Classic Negroni. With its vibrant ruby-red color, bitter-sweet balance, and that juicy orange wedge garnish, it’s the kind of cocktail that makes you feel like you really know what you’re doing, even though it’s delightfully easy to make.
Ready to stir up your very own Negroni at home?
If you’ve already fallen in love with the Cold Brew Negroni I shared on my coffee blog (a cheeky little caffeine-kissed twist on the original!), then you have to meet the classic that started it all. This recipe is a celebration of balance: bitter Campari, herbal gin, and sweet vermouth—each playing its part without stealing the spotlight. Whether you’re mixing one for aperitivo hour, dinner party vibes, or a quiet evening on the couch with a good book, the Negroni fits right in.
Oh, and let’s talk ice! If you can get your hands on a large cocktail ice cube, do so—it melts more slowly and keeps your drink chilled without diluting those gorgeous flavors too quickly. But don’t worry if you only have smaller cubes (like I did when I shot this recipe)—just sip a little quicker. Or a lot quicker. (Kidding… kind of 😄)
🎥 Video
🥘 Ingredients
- Gin – A dry, juniper-forward gin works best here. I love using Tanqueray or Beefeater for that classic botanical kick.
- Campari – No substitutions here! The bright red bitterness of Campari makes the Negroni.
- Sweet vermouth – Go for something rich and well-balanced. Carpano Antica and Cocchi Vermouth di Torino are both gorgeous picks that really shine in this cocktail.
- A thick wedge of orange – For that juicy, fragrant garnish (and pop of color!) 🍊
- A large ice block – If you have one! It melts slower and keeps your Negroni chilled without watering it down too fast. Regular ice cubes work too—just stir and sip a little quicker 😉
See the recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Add 2 cl (¾ oz) each of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a stirring glass filled with cubed ice.
Step 2: Stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled.
Step 3: Fine strain into a rocks glass (filled with one solid ice cube or several smaller ice cubes), using a Hawthorne strainer, holding back the ice.
Step 4: Garnish with a thick orange wedge or twist—and sip slowly, it’s a beauty!
When I make a cozy Italian-style dinner, I love to pour a Negroni to go with this easy spaghetti recipe. The bittersweet sip balances the rich tomato-and-meat sauce so nicely and makes the whole meal feel a little more special.
🥳 Batch version
Hosting friends? Want to make cocktail hour a breeze? Enter the Negroni batch cocktail—same bold flavor, way less fuss. Stir everything in a mixing glass over ice, strain into a bottle, and pop it in the fridge until it’s showtime. It’s the perfect way to serve up that ruby-red classic without playing bartender all evening.
🍸 Batch Recipe (Serves 6)
- Gin – 12 cl (4½ oz)
- Campari – 12 cl (4½ oz)
- Sweet vermouth – 12 cl (4½ oz)
To serve: Stir the whole batch with cubed ice in a mixing glass or large jug. Fine strain into a bottle and refrigerate. When ready to serve, pour 7.5 cl (2.5 oz) into a rocks glass over a fresh ice cube and garnish with a thick orange wedge or twist.
🤩 What makes the Negroni so popular?
So what makes the Negroni so popular? It’s that perfect trifecta of simplicity, balance, and bold flavor. With just three ingredients in equal parts, it’s incredibly easy to mix—but each component brings something special to the glass. You get the herbal kick from the gin, the bitter orange and spice from the Campari, and the rich, velvety sweetness from the vermouth. It’s like a flavor puzzle that clicks together in the most satisfying way.
Plus, it’s just so versatile. Want to dress it up? Serve it with a fancy ice cube and a twist. Want to riff on it? Swap in mezcal or prosecco and voilà—you’ve got a whole new cocktail. The Negroni is classic for a reason, and once you fall in love with its bold charm, there’s no going back.
📚 Negroni Cocktail History
The Negroni has a delightfully bold backstory to match its flavor. It all began in Florence, Italy, back in the 1920s. Count Camillo Negroni—yes, it’s named after a real count!—was a fan of the Americano (that’s Campari, sweet vermouth, and a splash of soda water). But one day, feeling a little adventurous, he asked the bartender to swap the soda for gin. And just like that, the Negroni was born! A little stronger, a little sassier, and oh-so iconic. Thank you, Count Negroni—you had great taste.
🍽 Equipment
- Measuring tools / Jigger
- Cutting board & sharp knife
- Stirring glass
- Bar spoon
- Hawthorn or Julep strainer or get a cocktail strainer set
- Fine Strainer
- Rocks glass for serving
🙋🏻 FAQ
Stirring might seem simple (and it is), but doing it well makes all the difference! Fill your stirring glass with ice, then add your ingredients. Use a bar spoon (or a long-handled spoon) and gently stir in a smooth, circular motion for about 20–30 seconds. In short, you run the bar spoon along the inside of the mixing glass. You’re not trying to whip or shake—you’re chilling the cocktail and blending the flavors without adding air. Smooth, steady, and chill… just like your Negroni.
Fine straining your Negroni after stirring keeps things crisp and clean. It removes tiny ice shards that would otherwise water down your cocktail too quickly and gives your drink that ultra-smooth finish. Use a Hawthorne or Juep strainer to hold back the ice in your stirring glass and pour through a fine strainer right into your serving glass. It’s a small extra step—but it makes you feel like a total pro. 😉
Other Recipes for You to Try
- Valentine’s Gin Cocktail
- Blue Lady Cocktail
- Bramble Cocktail
- Martini Cocktail
- Refreshing Cucumber Gin and Tonic
- Gin and Tonic with Lemon
- How to Make the Perfect Lavender Gin and Tonic
- Raspberry Gin and Tonic
- Festive Cranberry Gin and Tonic
- The Complete Guide to Gin & Tonic
- Vermouth Tonic
- Manhattan Cocktail
- Martinez Cocktail
- Limoncello Martini Cocktail with Elderflower Syrup
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Classic Negroni Cocktail
Equipment
- Cutting board & Sharp knife
- Hawthorn or Julep Strainer
- Rocks glass for serving
Ingredients
- ¾ oz Gin
- ¾ oz Campari
- ¾ oz Sweet vermouth
- Cubed Ice for the stirring glass
- Cubed ice for the serving glass
- Orange wedge
Instructions
- Add ¾ oz Gin, ¾ oz Campari, and ¾ oz Sweet vermouth to a stirring glass with Cubed Ice.¾ oz Gin, ¾ oz Campari, ¾ oz Sweet vermouth, Cubed Ice
- Stir for 20–30 seconds.
- Add a large fresh ice cube or Cubed ice to the serving glass.Cubed ice
- Fine strain into a rocks glass using a Hawthorne strainer.
- Garnish with a thick Orange wedge or twist.Orange wedge
Video
Notes
Nutrition
⛑️ Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For further information, check Safe Food Handling – FDA.
I love the complexity of flavor you get from this cocktail without having to use a bunch of complex ingredients. This is great!
Thank you, Nicole! I am a huge fan of the Negroni as well! 🙂
I really enjoyed this Negroni—its bold, and the bitterness from the Campari balanced perfectly with the smooth gin and sweet vermouth.
Thank you, Andrea! I am glad you liked it!
Made a classic Negroni cocktail and it’s everything you want in a drink—bitter, sweet, and so refreshing. Perfect balance of flavors, I’ll be making this one again!
Awesome! Thank you, Claudia!
A great cocktail recipe, simple ingredients and easy to follow
Thank you, Tisha!
This drink was fabulous. Really loved it.