A CLASSIC BUILD · KNOWLEDGE SHARING

Negroni.
Equal parts. One cube.

The Negroni is famously simple: equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. The build below is the standard version. We share it because guests at venues we supply often ask, and because it is one of the cocktails clear ice serves best.

Ingredients (one drink).

• 30 ml gin. A juniper-forward London Dry is the classic pick.
• 30 ml Campari. The bitter heart of the drink.
• 30 ml sweet (red) vermouth. Italian-style works best here.
• 1 wide strip of orange peel, or half an orange wheel.
• 1 large clear ice cube (5 cm).

Steps.

1. Stir. Combine the gin, Campari and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass with cracked ice. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds, until cold and well diluted.
2. Add the cube. Temper a 5 cm clear cube for 2 to 3 minutes, then place it in a rocks glass.
3. Strain. Strain the chilled cocktail slowly down the inside wall of the glass, over the cube.
4. Garnish. Express the orange peel oils over the drink. Drop the peel in, or rest the wheel on the rim.

Why a clear cube here.

A Negroni is built on bitter and herbal layers that get muddled fast by cloudy ice melting into them. A clear 5 cm cube preserves the build. Bitter and sweet stay distinct from the first sip to the bottom. See the clear cube →

More reading.

Old Fashioned recipe →
Manhattan recipe →
Clear ice for cocktails →