Negroni Recipe: How to Make a Classic Gin, Campari and Vermouth Cocktail at Home

What Is a Negroni?

A Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail made with gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth. It is usually served over ice in a rocks glass or old-fashioned glass and garnished with orange.

The drink is known for its equal-parts structure: one part gin, one part Campari, and one part sweet vermouth. This makes it one of the easiest classic cocktails to remember.

It is commonly enjoyed as an aperitif before dinner because the bitter profile can help prepare the palate for food.

A good Negroni should taste:

• Bitter-sweet
• Herbal and aromatic
• Strong but balanced
• Citrusy from the orange garnish
• Smooth enough to sip slowly

Negroni Recipe

This recipe makes one serving.

Ingredients

• 30ml gin
• 30ml Campari
• 30ml sweet red vermouth
• Ice cubes
• Orange slice or orange peel for garnish

Method

1. Chill your rocks glass or old-fashioned glass if possible.
2. Add gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth into the glass.
3. Fill the glass with ice.
4. Stir gently for about 15 to 20 seconds until cold and slightly diluted.
5. Garnish with an orange slice or orange peel.
6. Serve immediately and sip slowly.

For a classic benchmark, you can compare this with the official IBA Negroni recipe, which uses equal parts gin, Bitter Campari, and sweet red vermouth.

Quick Answer: How Do You Make a Negroni?

To make a Negroni, add 30ml gin, 30ml Campari, and 30ml sweet red vermouth into a rocks glass with ice. Stir gently until cold, then garnish with orange.

Best Gin for Negroni

The best gin for a Negroni should be strong enough to stand up to Campari and vermouth. Since Campari is bitter and vermouth is sweet and herbal, the gin should not disappear in the mix.

London Dry Gin is a reliable choice because it gives the cocktail a crisp juniper backbone. A citrus-forward gin can also work well if you want a brighter Negroni.

Choose a gin that is:

• Juniper-forward
• Clean and structured
• Not overly sweet
• Strong enough for bitter cocktails
• Suitable for spirit-forward drinks

You can browse gin options here: Gin Collection.

What Is Campari in a Negroni?

Campari is the bitter red Italian aperitif that gives the Negroni its signature colour and bitterness. It adds herbal, citrus, and bitter orange notes to the drink.

Without Campari or a similar red bitter aperitif, the cocktail will not taste like a classic Negroni.

Campari is important because it gives the Negroni:

• Its red colour
• Its bitter profile
• Its aperitif character
• Its herbal depth
• Its classic Italian cocktail identity

You can browse liqueur options here: Liqueur Collection.

What Vermouth Should You Use for Negroni?

A classic Negroni uses sweet red vermouth, also called vermouth rosso. It adds sweetness, body, and herbal complexity.

Vermouth is wine-based, so freshness matters. Once opened, keep it chilled and use it within a reasonable time for better flavour.

Choose sweet red vermouth if you want:

• A smoother Negroni
• Better balance against Campari
• More herbal aroma
• A richer and rounder finish

You can browse wine options here: Wine Collection.

Should a Negroni Be Shaken or Stirred?

A Negroni should be stirred, not shaken. It is made entirely from alcoholic ingredients, so stirring gives a smoother texture and keeps the drink clear.

Shaking can make the cocktail cloudy and overly diluted. It can also change the texture of the drink.

Stir a Negroni if you want:

• A smoother texture
• A clearer drink
• Better control over dilution
• A more classic cocktail-bar style

How to Make a Negroni Less Bitter

A Negroni is naturally bitter. That is part of its appeal. However, you can adjust the balance if you are new to bitter cocktails.

To make a Negroni less bitter:

• Use a softer, fruitier sweet vermouth.
• Add slightly more vermouth and slightly less Campari.
• Use a sweeter orange garnish.
• Stir well with enough ice for proper dilution.
• Try a Negroni Sbagliato with sparkling wine instead of gin.

For beginners, try 30ml gin, 25ml Campari, and 35ml sweet vermouth. This keeps the Negroni character but softens the bitterness slightly.

Negroni Taste Profile

A Negroni should be bold, bitter, sweet, herbal, and smooth. It is not a light fruity cocktail. It is a slow sipping drink with strong flavour.

A good Negroni should be:

• Cold
• Bitter-sweet
• Herbal
• Citrusy
• Aromatic
• Balanced, not harsh

If your Negroni tastes too bitter, adjust the vermouth or reduce the Campari slightly. If it tastes too sweet, use a drier vermouth or a stronger gin. If it tastes too strong, stir longer with ice for more dilution.

Negroni Variations

Once you understand the classic recipe, you can try different Negroni variations based on your taste.

Classic Negroni

Use equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth. This is the standard version.

Boulevardier

Replace gin with whisky or bourbon. This creates a richer, warmer, and more rounded cocktail.

Negroni Sbagliato

Replace gin with sparkling wine. This makes the drink lighter, fizzy, and more approachable.

White Negroni

Use gin with white bitter liqueur and white vermouth or aperitif wine. This gives a lighter colour and a different bitter profile.

Mezcal Negroni

Replace gin with mezcal for a smoky and earthy version. Use carefully because smoky spirits can dominate the drink.

Orange Negroni

Add a larger orange peel garnish or a small splash of orange liqueur for a more citrus-forward version.

What to Serve with Negroni

Negroni works well with savoury food because its bitterness cuts through fat and salt. It is especially suitable before dinner or during aperitif hour.

Good food pairings include:

• Green olives
• Charcuterie
• Cheese platter
• Salted nuts
• Prosciutto
• Pizza
• Grilled sausages
• Roast chicken
• Dark chocolate

For home entertaining, serve Negroni before dinner with salty snacks and simple appetisers.

Common Negroni Mistakes

1. Using weak gin

Campari and vermouth are strong flavours. Use a gin with enough structure so it does not disappear.

2. Using old vermouth

Vermouth is wine-based and can lose freshness after opening. Keep opened vermouth chilled and avoid using bottles that taste flat or oxidised.

3. Not using enough ice

Good ice chills the drink and controls dilution. Too little ice can make the drink warm and overly strong.

4. Shaking the cocktail

A Negroni should be stirred. Shaking can make the cocktail cloudy and too diluted.

5. Skipping the orange garnish

Orange garnish adds aroma and softens the bitter profile. It is a small detail, but it improves the drink.

Where to Buy Gin, Campari and Vermouth for Negroni in Malaysia

If you want to make Negroni at home, the three main bottles you need are gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth. Choose authentic bottles because this cocktail has only three ingredients, so quality matters.

At Blue Ocean Wine House, you can shop authentic gin, liqueur, whisky, rum, vodka, tequila, cognac, wine, Champagne, and other alcoholic beverages online in Malaysia.

Explore related categories:

• Buy Gin Online in Malaysia
• Shop Liqueur Online
• Shop Wine Online
• Shop Spirits Online
• Shop Whisky Online
• Shop Champagne Online

Note: Alcohol is only for non-Muslim customers aged 21 and above in Malaysia. Please drink responsibly. For general responsible drinking guidance, you can refer to DrinkIQ.

Frequently Asked Questions About Negroni

What alcohol is used in a Negroni?

A classic Negroni uses gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth. These three ingredients are usually mixed in equal parts.

What is the best ratio for a Negroni?

The classic Negroni ratio is 1:1:1. That means equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth.

Is Negroni very bitter?

Yes, a Negroni is naturally bitter because of Campari. However, sweet vermouth and orange garnish help balance the bitterness.

Do you shake or stir a Negroni?

A Negroni should be stirred. Stirring keeps the drink clear, smooth, and properly diluted.

What gin is best for Negroni?

London Dry Gin is a good choice because it has a clean juniper profile that works well with Campari and sweet vermouth.

Can I make Negroni without Campari?

You can use another red bitter aperitif, but it will not taste exactly like a classic Negroni. Campari gives the drink its signature bitter profile.

What glass should I use for Negroni?

A rocks glass or old-fashioned glass is the most common choice. Serve the drink over ice with an orange garnish.

Can I prepare Negroni in advance?

Yes. You can pre-batch equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a bottle and chill it. Stir with ice and garnish only when serving.

Final Takeaway

A great Negroni is bold, bitter, and balanced. Use equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth. Stir with ice, garnish with orange, and serve in a rocks glass.

For a classic version, start with 30ml gin, 30ml Campari, and 30ml sweet red vermouth. If you prefer a softer drink, reduce the Campari slightly and add a little more vermouth.

Ready to make your own Negroni? Shop gin, liqueur, wine, whisky, rum, vodka, tequila, Champagne, and other authentic alcoholic beverages online at Blue Ocean Wine House.