Negroni

Origin and History

The Negroni is one of the most iconic cocktails in the world, born in 1919 at Caffè Casoni in Florence, Italy. It was created when Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to make his usual Americano (a mix of Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water) stronger by replacing the soda water with gin. The resulting cocktail was named after the Count, and it quickly gained popularity, particularly in Italy’s aristocratic circles.

The Negroni represents the epitome of balance—its equal-parts recipe ensures that no one ingredient overpowers the others. The drink first appeared in print in the 1920s and became an international classic as it traveled across Europe and eventually to America, where it has found renewed popularity in the modern cocktail renaissance.

Flavour Profile

Bold and bittersweet, the Negroni balances the herbaceous gin, the bitter, citrusy notes of Campari, and the rich sweetness of vermouth. It’s an intense, flavorful cocktail with a lingering bitter finish that invites another sip.

How to Serve

Serve the Negroni in a rocks glass over a large ice cube to slow dilution, then garnish with an orange peel, expressing the oils over the top for a burst of citrus aroma that complements the bittersweet flavors. The drink's simplicity in presentation belies its complex, layered taste.