Contemporary takes on the classic Negroni featuring from spirits such as Fords Gin, Gin Mare, Le Moné and much more.
The Negroni, a drink with Italian origins known for its bitter-sweet flavor profile, has made a strong impact on many people and has become a staple in bars and homes across the world. Its timeless appeal continues to solidify its place as a classic cocktail. While nothing beats the classic creation, you’ll find a variety of options below that offer a new and exciting twist on the beloved cocktail. With the help of spirits such as Fords Gin, Gin Mare, and Le Moné, as well as cocktail experts from Katana Kitten, SUPERBUENO, and more, you can enhance your Negroni experience with these creative iterations.
Here’s are some of the essential tools you’ll need.
- Mixing glass: Used to mix the ingredients with ice
- Bar spoon: A long, skinny spoon is best for mixing the drink. It’s important to use a spoon because it allows you to gather momentum and mix the liquid, rather than just stirring it.
- Strainer: A strainer is used to strain the drink into a glass without the ice, pulp, or herbs.
- Citrus peeler: Used to make an orange peel garnish
- You can also use a large ice cube to enhance the drink’s dramatic red color. The Negroni is traditionally served in a heavy crystal glass
Should You Shake Or Stir?
Most of the recipes below call for stirring, but it ultimately depends what mouthfeel you prefer. Shaking a Negroni, as opposed to stirring it, can lead to a slightly different drinking experience. When a Negroni is shaken, the texture becomes slightly lighter and the overall drink may appear cloudier due to the aeration of the ingredients. This method can also result in a more integrated and harmonious blend of flavors, as the ingredients are agitated more vigorously. On the other hand, stirring a Negroni typically creates a smoother, more viscous texture, and the drink may appear clearer. The choice between shaking and stirring ultimately depends on personal preference and the desired mouthfeel and presentation of the cocktail. 
Sunshine Negroni
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
Stir together Le Moné, Italian bergamot, smoky mezcal and Amaro Nonino to create this Sunshine take on a Negroni.
Ingredients
- 1oz Le Moné
- 1oz Mezcal
- 1oz Amaro Nonino
- Garnish: Lemon Twist
Instructions
Method: Combine ingredients in a shaker over ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a glass over ice cubes.
- Prep Time: 1 min
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ford Gin’s Negroni
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
Light, citrusy, and easy to drink, Fords Gin will give the Negroni a soft floral sweetness and juniper notes. Stir with vermouth, bitter apertif and ice then strain into glass over ice. Garnish with a orange peel/twist.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Fords Gin
- 1 oz Sweet Red Vermouth
- 1 oz Bitter Aperitif
- Garnish: Orange Twist
Instructions
Method: Stir all ingredients with ice, then strain into a double rocks glass over ice.
- Prep Time: 1 min
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Celestine’s Negroni
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
A Gin Mare based cocktail, found at the NYC Mediterranean restaurant Celestine. It’s stirred with Campari giving it its signature bitter flavor, dry vermouth, apricot liqueur. Strain over ice and garnish with basil leaves.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Gin Mare
- 1 oz Campari
- 0.5 oz Apricot liqueur
- 0.5 oz Dry vermouth
- Garnish: Basil Leaves
Instructions
Method: Stir Gin Mare, Campari, apricot liqueur, and dry vermouth with ice, then strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Prep Time: 1 min
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Meguroni #2
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 cocktail
Description
A creative iteration of the classic, Katana Kitten’s heralded Meguroni #2, which swaps gin for iichiko Saiten for an umami-forward riff
Ingredients
- .75 oz iichiko Saiten
- .75 oz Caffo Red Bitter
- .75 oz Choya Kokuto Umeshu Liqueur
- .25 oz Genever
Instructions
Method: Combine all ingredients and stir. Strain over a large ice cube. Twist of lemon and discard and garnish with kinome.
- Prep Time: 1 min
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Asada Negroni
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
SUPERBUENO’s Mexican take of the classic Negroni cocktail uses tequila infused with grilled pineapple skin.
Ingredients
- 1oz Grilled Pineapple Skin Infused Espolon Blanco**
- .75oz Cinzano 1757 Rosso Vermouth
- .5oz Campari
- .5oz Ancho Reyes Barrica
- Dash of Saline
-
Garnish: Orange coin (slice), ancho chili powder
-
Glassware: Rocks
-
Ice: Crushed
Instructions
- Prep Time: 1 min
- Category: Cocktails
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
This is great, I’ll be drinking one (or several) of these this weekend!
Love myself a good negroni, thank you!