A classic cocktail gets a new, smokey twist with a Mezcal Negroni! This tasty drink is full of well-balanced flavor and may just be the best Negroni of all.
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An easy Negroni Recipe with Mezcal
A Negroni is an Italian cocktail invented back in the 1920s. It’s a classic cocktail that is part of the International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails.
And this modern recipe takes the classic Negroni cocktail to the next level. It is a seemingly simple twist on a traditional Negroni where mezcal is substituted for gin to create a drink that is a significant departure from the original. But is just as delicious!
The intense smokiness of mezcal perfectly balances the sweetness of the vermouth and the bitterness of Campari. These three bold flavors combine together well to create a complex drink that is well-balanced and very easy to sip.
And with just three ingredients needed, this cocktail recipe is easy to make and serve. It is a great wintertime drink with its deep smokey and savory flavor. So try making it yourself, and see how one little change to a classic can create a whole new dimension of flavor.
Looking for more Campari cocktail recipes? Check out our CAMPARI SODA and CAMPARI SPRITZ!
Ingredients and Notes
The ingredients in a mezcal Negroni are made with equal parts of each ingredient and stirred with ice. All you will need are three different types of alcohol, so this is quite a boozy cocktail. The ingredients needed are:
- Mezcal. Mezcal is a type of alcohol made from the agave plant. The agave is cooked in pits in the ground and this is where it gets its signature smoky flavor from.
- Sweet vermouth. Vermouth is a fortified wine, and sweet vermouth is subtly sweet and spicy, with a hint of bitterness.
- Campari. An Italian liqueur, Campari is known for its distinctive bitter taste and bright red color. It has a distinctive bitter flavor that is often described as being similar to grapefruit or bitter herbs.
OPTIONAL GARNISH IDEAS
Although this drink is beautiful as is and can be served without a garnish, sometimes I like to add a garnish to my cocktails to make them feel extra special. When it comes to garnishing this simple cocktail there are a few options you could consider. These garnish suggestions include:
- An orange wedge
- Fresh mint
- An orange wheel
- Orange peel spiral
- Orange zest
- An olive
- Dried orange peel
How to make a Mezcal Negroni
This is an easy cocktail to make at home that doesn't require any fussy steps or equipment. You can find the full recipe at the end of this post, or see the step-by-step instructions below.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
STEP ONE
Fill a glass with ice cubes.
STEP TWO
After that, add the cocktail ingredients and stir for 30 - 60 seconds until well chilled.
STEP THREE
Strain and pour into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish as desired and serve immediately.
Pitcher Version
This cocktail is an easy pitcher drink option. Because you mix equal parts of each liquor it is easy to scale the quantity up or down depending on how many servings you need. Simply add the mezcal, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a large pitcher according to how many servings you desire. Then mix together and allow to chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
CAN YOU MAKE A Mezcal Negroni COCKTAIL IN ADVANCE?
Yes, you can prepare this drink ahead of time if hosting an event. To do so, simply mix the three alcohols together in a pitcher or glasses and then store them in the fridge for as long as needed.
Recipe Tips and Notes
USE HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS
Like most drinks, the quality of the cocktail depends on the quality of the liquor. Choose a high-quality brand of each type of alcohol needed to achieve the best flavor profile.
BALANCE THE FLAVORS
You can adjust the ratios of this drink to find the perfect balance for your preference. And if you prefer sweeter cocktails you can always add a dash of simple syrup if desired.
MEASURE ACCURATELY
Use a jigger or a measuring cup to measure your ingredients accurately. A precise measurement can make a big difference in the balance and flavor of your cocktail.
LIMIT YOUR ICE
Don't use too much ice when making your mezcal negroni as you don't want to dilute it. Use one large-format ice cube if possible, otherwise only add 2-3 small pieces of ice to your glass.
More cocktail recipes to try out:
ZESTY CHAMPAGNE VODKA COCKTAIL
JAPANESE ICED TEA (TOKYO TEA)
PINEAPPLE & GINGER BEER COCKTAIL
I hope you love this Mezcal Negroni recipe as much as I do! And if you want to see more of my delicious food adventures, follow me on Instagram or Facebook.
Recipe
Mezcal Negroni
Equipment
- 1 old-fashioned serving glass
Ingredients
- 1 ounce mezcal
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce Campari
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill a large glass with ice cubes.
- After that, add the cocktail ingredients and stir for 30 - 60 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain and pour into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish as desired and serve immediately.
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