Negroni Sour

If you’re looking to impress guests who are unfamiliar with cocktails, this is one of our favorites! There is a lot of complexity in the flavor profile of this drink, without being overly intense in any particular direction.

The bitterness of the Campari is reigned in but still very much present. Additionally, the silkiness of the egg white provides another dimension with its texture. We can assuredly bet that people that don’t like the traditional Negroni will love this drink.

If you’re a fan of the traditional Negroni, we suggest using the minimal listed amount of simple syrup. Conversely, if you offer it to someone who doesn't like Negronis, stick to the maximum listed amount.

The choice of using lemon or lime in this cocktail makes a huge difference. We find that lemon juice will enhance the bitter notes and the Campari, whereas lime will cut through them.

As with the Negroni recipe, the Negroni Sour is a cocktail template you should experiment with: Swap the gin for another spirit, use a different brand and type of vermouth, or even sub the Campari for other amari (try it with Jägermeister). Don’t forget to play with the ratios.

Whenever you’re experimenting with a recipe, try to swap one ingredient at a time to really perceive how the drink changes!

As with many older cocktails, the origin of the Negroni is fiercely debated. One story tells of a request by an Italian nobleman, Count Camillo Negroni, around 1919 in Florence, Italy, at Bar Casoni. He asked for a stronger version of his favorite drink: An Americano.

There's another claim made by the descendants of the French General Pascal Olivier de Negroni: They have correspondence that states that the drink was invented by the general in 1857 in Senegal.

Orson Welles praised the drink while he was making the film “Black Magic” in Rome in 1947: "The bitters are excellent for your liver, the gin is bad for you. They balance each other."

Negronis have historically been a favorite of chefs and other folks that work in the food industry. It was a favorite of Anthony Bourdain.

Negroni week is celebrated every year in June.