It’s time again for one of the happiest (if not the happiest) weeks of the year — Negroni Week. This year’s Negroni Week spans from September 21 to 27, 2026.
This drink is so simple to prepare and requires just three ingredients: Campari, Sweet Vermouth, and Gin. These are three Spirits that you need in your home bar at all times, so a Negroni is always a minute away.
The origins of this great cocktail are a matter of debate, but I believe the most credible story points to Florence, Italy. As the tale goes, Count Camillo Negroni in Florence, Italy, co-invented the cocktail in 1919 at Café Casoni along with bartender Fosco Scarselli. Count Negroni asked Scarselli to alter the Americano (Campari & Sweet Vermouth with soda) by swapping Gin for the soda. As they say, the rest is history. The story is well documented in the book “Sulle Tracce del Conte: La Vera Storia del Cocktail Negroni,” by Lucca Picchi, the head bartender at Caffè Rivoire in Florence, Italy.
While the Negroni appears to have originated in Florence, it has become an institution in Rome and throughout much of Italy. In Rome, the classic garnish of an orange slice or peel is often augmented with a lime wedge and even a green olive or two. The drink is pure refreshment in a glass. It elevates your mood and prepares your for a great dinner with freinds.
Making a Negroni
Equal portions of Campari, Sweet Vermouth, and Gin (I like 1.5 ounces of each) into a mixing glass with a wide strip of fresh orange peel. Add ice and stir well for 20 seconds. Strain over fresh ice in an Old Fashioned glass and serve with an orange peel. The Negroni can also be made as a “build”, adding the three ingredients to a glass with ice, or, once stirred, strained, and served in a chilled cocktail glass.
Far too many bartenders want to tinker with the portions — I’m not a fan of this move. The Negroni is sublime due to its simplicity and balance. The beautiful Negroni doesn’t need a punch from a heavier dose of Gin. Remember, the classic Negroni is a variant of the famous Americano cocktail — it was made more potent with the addition of Gin. Adding more Gin is just piling on. We are also exhausted by all of the Negroni variations on cocktail menus everywhere. If you haven’t made a thousand-plus Negronis, I’m not interested in your take on improving the cocktail. The Negroni stands alone — it doesn’t need to be “improved.”
Negroni — From Niche to Superstar
In recent years, the Negroni has gone from being enjoyed by Italian food and culture enthusiasts and bartenders to becoming a global sensation. Spotting a Negroni in front of a stranger at happy hour creates an instant sense of community. If you don’t believe me, order a Negroni for happy hour in a crowded bar and wait for the nod from a fellow patron. The drink’s simple construction also makes it a natural choice for aspiring home bartenders. Transport yourself to Italian Aperitivo time with just three ingredients.
If you are one of the rare cocktail drinkers on the planet who has not yet tried a Negroni, there is no better time to start than Negroni Week. This year, donations received at participating bars and taverns will benefit the Slow Food organization. The official Negroni Week website has a handy venue finder for you to locate a participating bar near you.
Do you want to better understand cocktails? May we suggest Be A Beverage Expert (BABE), a guide to understanding wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails.