Mezcal Negroni

A smoky reimagining of the classic Florentine Negroni, swapping gin for mezcal while keeping the equal-parts spine of Campari and sweet vermouth intact. The agave spirit's earthy, campfire char locks onto Campari's bitter-orange bite and the vermouth's herbal sweetness, turning a familiar aperitivo into something darker and more brooding. A genericized child of the cocktail renaissance with no single documented inventor, it spread through agave-focused bars as bartenders pushed the Negroni's swap-the-base template into new territory.

ClassicSpirit-ForwardBitter Sipper

Ingredients

  • 1 ozMezcal
  • 1 ozCampari
  • 1 ozSweet Vermouth

Garnish: Orange Peel

Preparation

Stirred · Rocks · Large cube

  1. 1.

    add

    Combine the mezcal, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass with ice.

  2. 2.

    stir

    Stir gently until well chilled and properly diluted, about 20–30 seconds.

  3. 3.

    strain

    Strain into a rocks glass over a large cube of fresh ice.

  4. 4.

    express

    Express the oils from an orange peel over the surface of the drink.

  5. 5.

    garnish

    Drop the orange peel into the glass to serve.

Flavor Profile

bitter
46%
herbal
39%
body
37%
smoky
30%
fruity
29%
sweet
29%