We’ve all heard of the Negroni — the bright cocktail made with gin, sweet red vermouth and Campari — and its distant cousin cocktail the “Negroni sbagliato.”
Bars around the globe offer the original cocktail and plenty of variations — Dante, a New York City institution that’s among the Top 50 World’s Best Bars, even offers a full Negroni menu at its Caffe Dante location.
But where did the vibrant red drink come from?
The Negroni’s origin dates back to 1919, Olivia Cerio, Campari Group Italian spirits portfolio ambassador, said via an email statement.
“A Florentine Count, Camillo Negroni, walked into the Caffè Casoni in Via de’ Tornabuoni in Florence to enjoy a cocktail,” Cerio says. “Inspired by a recent trip to London where he became exposed to its prevailing gin scene, the Count requested his Americano cocktail (Campari, sweet vermouth, soda water) with gin rather than the usual soda water.”
The bartender Negroni encountered, named Fowsco Scarselli, mixed the cocktail and added an orange twist — instead of the Americano’s traditional lemon peel garnish.
“Customers who frequented the bar started asking for their Americano’s ‘The Negroni’ way, and the Negroni was born,” Cerio said.
Campari, the maker of the red Italian bitter that characterizes the vibrant cocktail, shared its classic Negroni recipe that you can make at home.
Campari’s Classic Negroni
Recipe courtesy of Campari
Ingredients:
- 1 Part Campari
- 1 Part 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso (or your preferred sweet red vermouth)
- 1 Part Bulldog Gin (or a gin of your choice)
Directions:
1. Build ingredients over ice in a rocks glass
2. Stir for 15 seconds with a bar spoon
3. Garnish with an orange peel
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