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An Aperol Negroni, sometimes called aContessa co*cktail, is aperfect balanceof bitter, sweet, citrus, and earthy notes in every sip. ThisAperol gin co*cktailis not for the faint of heart; made of threedifferent alcohols, it packs a real punch. If you love a refreshing citrus drink that pairs well with food, the Aperol Negroni is for you!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- What is a Negroni?
- Traditional Negroni vs. Aperol Negroni
- Ingredient Notes
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Expert Tips
- Food Pairings for Negronis
- FAQ
- Related Recipes
- Aperol Negroni Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Classic with a Twist: For those who appreciate the classics but are also keen on trying new variations, the Aperol Negroni offers theperfect balance. It respects the traditional structure of theclassic recipewhile introducing a modern andunique spin.
Easy to Prepare: It’s aneasy co*cktailto make, requiring no special equipment or techniques. It’s simply a matter of mixing equal parts of the three ingredients, making it an ideal choice for both novice and experienced co*cktail enthusiasts.
Lower Alcohol by Volume (ABV) co*cktail: Aperol has alower alcohol contentcompared to Campari, making the Aperol Negroni a slightly lighter option. This is ideal for those who prefer co*cktails that are not too strong but still enjoy depth in flavor.
Seasonal Flexibility: It’s a great co*cktail option year-round. It has a refreshing feel andlower alcohol contentthat suits Spring and Summer, while the herbal and citrus notes make it equally enjoyable during Fall and Winter.
What is a Negroni?
A Negroni is an Italian aperitif, or before-dinner drink, intended to stimulate the appetite before a meal. Thetraditional Negroni co*cktailis made with Campari, a distinctly bitter cousin to Aperol, which is sweeter.
Theclassic Negroni recipeis made withequal parts gin, Campari, andsweet vermouthand is often topped with anorange peel garnish. Stirred and poured over ice, the Negroni is a timeless co*cktail with several popular variations, such as theNegroni Sbagliato, which replaces gin with prosecco.
Negronis are so beloved they even have a week dedicated to them in New York City calledNegroni Week, which promotes the drink and raises money for various philanthropic causes. I have lots of Negroni recipes on this site including the Negroni Sour. For those that aren’t big gin fans, you should check my Vodka Negroni and Pink Rosé Negroni.
Traditional Negroni vs. Aperol Negroni
Aperol is the perfect substitute for Campari in this co*cktail if you prefer a sweeter and slightly less bitter Negroni. If you aren’t sure if Negronis are your thing, using Aperol inplace of Campariis a good introduction.
First marketed in 1919, Aperol is most commonly found in the famousAperol Spritz. It gets its refreshing flavors from a combination of gentian root, oil from orange peels, rhubarb, and cinchona bark. These unique flavors make for a citrusy, herbal taste with undertones of vanilla.
Aperol and Campari are both Italian aperitifs and bitter liqueurs meant to stimulate the appetite, so their co*cktails are perfect as apre-dinner drink. However, Campari has a much higher alcohol content at 20-28% ABV than Aperol at nearly half the amount of 11% ABV. For more on these two bitter Italian liqueurs, check out my post comparing Aperol vs. Campari.
Ingredient Notes
Now that you know a little more about theAperol Negroni co*cktail, let’s learn more about itssimple ingredients.
Aperol: It is easy to find and available in mostliquor stores.
Gin: The next crucial ingredient in an Aperol Negroni is gin. If you already have a bottle of your favorite gin at home, it will work fine in thisAperol co*cktail; however, a Londondry ginwill lend a great flavor to the co*cktail.
Sweet vermouth: Finally,sweet vermouthis the third equal part of your Aperol Negroni.Sweet vermouth(aka Rosso orred vermouth) is afortified wineusually from Italy, used to add a sweet and herbal flavor to co*cktails.
Orange garnish: Garnish your drink with the peel of an orange or anorange slice. I like to roll my orange peels and skewer them with a co*cktail pick for a unique and elevated look.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the Aperol and gin to amixing glasswith ice.
Step 2: Add thesweet vermouthand stir until well chilled (about 30 seconds).
Step 3: Strain into arocks glassfilled with alarge ice cubeand garnish with anorange twist.
Expert Tips
- Opt for Clear, Large-Sized Ice: The use of clear ice in a Negroni is not just a matter of aesthetics; it’s a practical choice too. Large, clear ice cubes melt slower than regular ice, ensuring that your co*cktail remains chilled without diluting the flavors too quickly. The easiest way to make clear ice is a clear ice mold – this is one I use.
- Prioritize High-Quality Ingredients: Given that the Aperol Negroni is a spirit-forward drink, the quality of each component significantly impacts the overall taste. Select premium gin and vermouth to complement the Aperol. Remember, in a drink with so few ingredients, each one plays a starring role.
- Stir, Don’t Shake: The classic method of preparing a Negroni is to stir it, never shake it up in aco*cktail shaker. Shaking can introduce air bubbles and cloudiness while stirring ensures that the co*cktail is perfectly chilled and diluted just the right amount.
- Experiment with Diverse Garnishes: While a traditional Negroni is garnished with an orange peel, exploring other garnishes can add an exciting twist. For example, olives can introduce a savory note that contrasts intriguingly with the Aperol’s sweetness and the herbal notes of gin and vermouth. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other garnishes like grapefruit peel or a sprig of rosemary to find your perfect personal twist.
Food Pairings for Negronis
As with any co*cktail, this Aperol Negroni is best paired with good company for optimal results! The Aperol Negroni is an ideal before-dinner co*cktail. Enjoy it with salty foods that call forbright flavorsand a bittersweet taste.
Any salty meat or cheese with crostini and a bit of jam or honey will take the edge off this highly alcoholic concoction, which makes Negronis the perfect pairing for Charcuterie boards or my Tomato Bruschetta with Whipped Feta Pesto. For a meal pairing, try my version of a Feta Cherry Tomato Pasta Bake.
FAQ
What is the best kind of gin for an Aperol Negroni?
For this co*cktail, try a London Dry style gin with solid notes of juniper to balance out the Aperol. Although all gin is made with juniper, different botanicals are also used in gin production, giving aunique flavortodifferent brandsand styles. Gin can range in alcohol content, being as low as an ABV of 35% and as high as 55%. However, as I’ve said before, thebest ginis your favorite gin.
Which vermouth is best for a Negroni?
Sweet vermouthis the classic choice for Negronis. It is afortified winethat contains tannins, which are bitter, astringent compounds found in the skins and vines of grapes. This lends to the flavor characteristics ofsweet vermouth, counterbalancing some of the sweetness with a dry element.Dry vermouthwould not create the flavor balance that the sweet variety does in Negronis. Some other flavors insweet vermouthare spices, vanilla, and caramel.
Some good brands ofsweet vermouthinclude Carpano Antica Formula (this is what I used), Punt e Mes, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, and Dolin Rouge. Each of these brands has aunique flavorprofile so have fun and experiment withdifferent brandsto find your favorite!
Is a Negroni better with Aperol or Campari?
Whether a Negroni is better with Aperol or Campari largely depends on personal taste. Aperol offers a sweeter, less bitter flavor, making it more approachable for those who prefer a milder co*cktail. Campari, on the other hand, provides a more traditional, bitter edge that’s favored by classic Negroni enthusiasts.
Personally, I fell in love with Negronis by drinking them with Aperol first as the bitterness of Campari can be a shock to the system for a new Negroni drinker. Now, I can say that I haven’t met a Negroni that I didn’t like.
- Aperol Tonic co*cktail Recipe
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- Vodka Negroni co*cktail (The Negroski)
- Aperol Moscow Mule co*cktail
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Aperol Negroni Recipe
Melissa
An Aperol Negroni, sometimes called a Contessa co*cktail, is a perfect balance of bitter, sweet, citrus, and earthy notes in every sip.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Course co*cktails
Servings 1 co*cktail
Ingredients
- 1 oz Aperol
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- Orange twist for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Combine Aperol, gin, and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass with ice.
Stir well and strain into a rocks glass with ice.
Garnish with orange twist, if using.
Video
Notes
Tips:
- Opt for Clear, Large-Sized Ice: Large, clear ice cubes melt slower than regular ice, ensuring that your co*cktail remains chilled without diluting the flavors too quickly.
- Prioritize High-Quality Ingredients: This is a spirit-forward drink, so the quality of each component significantly impacts the overall taste. Select premium gin and vermouth to complement the Aperol.
- Stir, Don’t Shake: The classic method of preparing a Negroni is to stir it, never shake it up in a co*cktail shaker.
- Experiment with Diverse Garnishes: Orange peels, citrus slices, olives, or rosemary sprigs are all great options to choose from.
CLICK TO DISPLAY NUTRITION INFO
Nutrition
Calories: 182kcalCarbohydrates: 14gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 29mgSugar: 12gCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.02mg
Keyword aperol, co*cktails, gin, negroni, sweet vermouth
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