Negroni

The Negroni is the definitive bittersweet Italian aperitivo. With Humdinger Dry Gin, it’s crisp, classic, and beautifully balanced. For a deeper, spiced variation, swap in Humdinger Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin, which adds warmth and silky oak character. Either way, this three-part cocktail is an effortless way to showcase great gin.

Cocktail Ingredients

• 30ml Humdinger Dry Gin (or Humdinger Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin)
• 30ml Campari or Select Aperitivo
• 30ml sweet vermouth
• 1 large ice cube
• Orange peel twist

Cocktail Method

1. Add the gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari (or Select Aperitivo) to a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir until well chilled and silky.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
4. Express the orange peel over the drink and garnish.

Flavour Profile

• With Campari: Classic Negroni — bold bittersweet orange, sharp herbal bite, and deep complexity.
• With Select Bitters: Venetian twist — smoother, rounded bitterness with citrus and red-berry notes, letting the gin shine more clearly.

Dry Gin keeps things bright and juniper-forward, while our Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin layers in vanilla, gentle oak, and baking spice for a slow-sipping depth.

Why Dry Gin First?

The clean, citrus-and-juniper balance of Humdinger Dry Gin cuts perfectly through sweet vermouth and bitters, delivering the quintessential Negroni profile. Using BBAG transforms it into a richer, after-dinner expression with warmth and length.

Recommended Gin Choices

• Humdinger Dry Gin for the definitive, crisp Negroni
• Humdinger Bourbon Barrel Aged Gin for a richer, spiced variation

A Little History

Created in Florence in the early 1900s, the Negroni is credited to Count Camillo Negroni, who asked for his Americano to be stiffened with gin instead of soda. Its equal-parts simplicity and bold flavour made it timeless. In Venice, however, Select Bitters was the aperitivo of choice — offering a fruitier, smoother alternative to Campari that today creates a softer, more nuanced Negroni.

Variations

• White Negroni: Swap Campari for Suze (or another gentian aperitif) and use a dry, floral vermouth.
• Negroni Sbagliato: Replace gin with sparkling wine and build over ice for a bubbly, lower-ABV riff.
• Boulevardier: Replace gin with bourbon or rye for a whiskey-forward cousin.
• Sloegroni: Sub in Humdinger Sloe Gin for a rich, berry-forward twist. Sweet fruit depth softens the bitterness, making a rounded, autumnal take on the classic.

Serving Tip

Use a big, clear ice cube to slow dilution and keep the texture silky. Adjust sweetness by choosing a slightly drier or richer vermouth to taste.