Negroni
A bold, bitter classic made perfectly simple.
Published May 8, 2026
3 MINS
EASY
COCKTAIL
About the Drink
Negroni is one of those rare cocktails that feels both effortless and deeply intentional. Just three ingredients, equal parts, yet the balance is everything. When it’s done right, it lands somewhere between bitter, sweet, and herbal, with a citrus lift that keeps it bright rather than heavy.
This version keeps things traditional and precise. Stirred, never shaken, and served over a solid block of ice so it stays slow, cold, and silky from the first sip to the last. It’s a drink that rewards patience in the smallest of ways, especially in how it’s diluted and chilled.
INGREDIENTS
30 ml gin
30 ml bitter aperitif
30 ml sweet vermouth
Orange peel or wedge, to garnish
METHOD
1.
Add the gin, bitter aperitif, and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass filled with plenty of ice.
2.
Stir steadily for about 20 to 30 seconds until the drink is properly chilled and slightly diluted. The liquid should feel very cold and silky.
3.
Place a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
4.
Strain the cocktail over the ice cube.
5.
Garnish with an orange wedge, or express an orange peel over the surface by gently twisting it to release the oils, then drop it into the glass or rest it on the rim.
6.
Serve immediately.
Tips
Use plenty of ice when stirring. This isn’t just about chilling the drink, it’s about controlled dilution, which is what softens the bitterness and brings everything into balance. If you under-stir, it will taste sharp and unrounded.
Always use a large, solid ice cube in the glass. It melts slower, which keeps the Negroni strong and structured rather than watery. Small ice chips will throw off the texture quickly.
The fresh orange wedge or peel matters more than it seems. Twist the peel firmly over the glass so the oils spray across the surface before dropping it in. Adding orange as a garnish lifts the entire drink and cuts through the bitterness.
Choose a gin you actually enjoy drinking neat. Since there are only three ingredients, every one of them shows through. A more juniper-forward gin will feel classic, while something softer will make it more rounded.
Keep your sweet vermouth in the fridge once opened. It oxidises faster than most people realise, and a fresh vermouth makes a noticeable difference in flavour clarity.
Nutritional Information
Serves 1. Approx per serve:
Calories: 165 | Carbs: 11G | Sodium: 0.01G | Sugars: 9G
Hi, I'm Samantha Tulett
I’m the cook, writer, and recipe developer behind City Slicker.
This is my Friday Drinks series, where I share easy, delicious cocktails and mocktails to help you mix up something fun and get the weekend started right.
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