How to make a Classic Negroni Cocktail. Made with just four ingredients, this Italian cocktail has a beautiful ruby-red colour and is wonderfully refreshing. It’s the ideal way to start an Italian aperitivo.
If you want an elegant, refreshing aperitivo cocktail, the Negroni is a brilliant choice. Like an Aperol Spritz or a Campari spritz, it pairs perfectly with small nibbles — think marinated olives, focaccia, or crisp fried sage leaves for a salty, fragrant bite.
The Negroni uses just four straightforward ingredients and is easy to remember because it’s equal parts of each spirit. See the essentials below.
Ingredients – what you need
- Campari – a ruby-red Italian bitter made from a blend of herbs and botanicals.
- Gin – any good quality gin will work; a London dry gin is a classic choice.
- Vermouth Rosso – a semi-sweet red vermouth with gentle citrus and spice notes.
- Orange – for garnish: an orange slice or a twisted peel, whichever you prefer.
How to make a Negroni Cocktail – step by step
Fill your serving glass with ice and set it aside.
Measure equal parts Campari, gin and Vermouth Rosso. The classic ratio is 1 fl oz (30 ml) of each per cocktail.
Stir the three ingredients together in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker (no shaking required). Pour the mixture over the ice in your prepared glass and garnish with an orange slice or twist.
Food to serve with your cocktail
For a true Italian aperitivo experience, serve the Negroni with simple, salty bites. In Italy you might be offered salted crisps, salted peanuts or focaccia — all light snacks that complement the cocktail’s bitterness.
Some favourite appetizers that work well with Negronis:
- Stracchino and Sausage Crostini
- Bruschetta al Pomodoro
- Fried Sausage Stuffed Olives
- Whipped Ricotta Dip with Roasted Tomatoes
- Sour Cream Pesto Dip with Prosciutto Dippers
Top tips and recipe FAQs
- Prepare in advance: You can premix any quantity of Negroni and keep it refrigerated until serving. Do not add ice to the premix — only add ice to the serving glasses to avoid diluting the cocktail while it sits.
- Softer option: If you prefer a less bitter, bubblier drink, try a Negroni Sbagliato, which replaces gin with Prosecco for a fruitier, sparkling twist.
A Negroni is pleasantly bitter and designed to stimulate the appetite. Expect herbal and woody notes from the Campari and gin, balanced by the semi-sweet, citrusy character of the vermouth.
Use a red, semi-sweet vermouth (Vermouth Rosso). Some well-known brands like Martini work well, but many affordable options will give good results too.
More Italian cocktails you might like
- Classic Campari Spritz
- Classic Peach Bellini
- Aperol Spritz
- Sparkling Limoncello Cocktail
If you try this Negroni Cocktail or any other recipe on the site, please leave a comment to let me know how it went — I love hearing from readers!
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Negroni Cocktail
By Emily
Ingredients
- 1 fl oz Campari (30 ml)
- 1 fl oz Gin (30 ml)
- 1 fl oz Vermouth Rosso (30 ml)
- Orange slices
- Ice
Instructions
- Fill your serving glass with ice and set aside.
- Pour equal amounts of Campari, gin and Vermouth Rosso into a mixing glass and stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture over the ice, garnish with a slice or twist of orange, and serve.
Notes
- Prepare in advance: Premix the cocktail and refrigerate, but do not add ice until serving to avoid dilution.
Helpful Info for All Recipes
- I use extra virgin olive oil unless noted otherwise.
- When using canned or jarred tomatoes, I recommend trusted brands for best flavour.
- All vegetables are medium unless stated otherwise.
- Recipes are tested using a fan (convection) oven when applicable.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 14 g |
Protein: 1 g |
Fat: 1 g
Nutrition information is an approximation.
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