For many, the Negroni is an acquired taste — a drink that might puzzle your mouth on first sip, but over time you come to love. The Italian cocktail is equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, giving it a rich, complex flavour you can enjoy year round.
As we head into winter festivities, we have a few modifications that can take your next Negroni from “all season” to “holiday season.”
Complement the orange notes by replacing the traditional gin with a barrel-aged version. The mix of orange and spice go perfectly with a roaring fire. And to keep it local, try Wild Life Distillery’s barrel-aged gin.
For a rich, flavourful Negroni, swap in Punt e Mes (a bitter Italian vermouth) for the traditional sweet vermouth. This vermouth — which literally translates as “point and a half” — has notes of vanilla, cola and black cherry that nicely complement a winter cocktail.
Add an earthy flavour to your Negroni by replacing gin with mezcal. The agave-based alcohol will feel like a big deviation from the traditional recipe, but the smokiness adds a new layer of flavour to the classic cocktail.
