Mezcal Negroni Cocktail Recipe and 3 Bartending Tips

A Mezcal Negroni is a riff on the classic Italian cocktail, the Negroni. A classic Negroni has equal parts gin, vermouth, and Campari, but a Mezcal Negroni uses mezcal instead of gin. Mezcal comes from maguey, a member of the agave plant family. Some say mezcal is like a smoky tequila; it is often a tequila substitute in a Margarita.

Serve a Mezcal Negroni as an aperitif, also known as “aperitivo” in Italian. The Negroni, first made in Florence, Italy, is similar to other classic cocktails, like the Boulevardier and the Manhattan. A Manhattan cocktail has vermouth, bitters, and rye whiskey, while a Boulevardier has rye whiskey, vermouth, and Campari.

A Mezcal Negroni is a balance of smoky, bitter, and sweet flavors. Mezcal brings the smoky flavor, while Campari is a bitter liqueur, and the sweetness comes from sweet vermouth. Bitter Campari and its sweeter cousin, Aperol, often feature in Italian cocktails. Add a bar spoon of simple syrup or agave nectar for added sweetness.

Use the tips below for a bitter, sweet, and smoky Mezcal Negroni.

1. 1. Build the cocktail in the glass. You don’t need a cocktail shaker to make a Negroni. Add a large ice cube to a rocks glass or other mixing glass, then pour the spirits over the ice. Stir the drink with a bar spoon.
2. 2. Garnish the drink with orange peel. In Italy, bartenders garnish a classic Negroni with an orange slice. Since a Mezcal Negroni is a variation of the original drink, finish it with an orange peel or add orange zest to the cocktail. Twist the orange peel on top of the drink to release the essential oils and natural aromas, then drop the orange peel into the drink or rest it on the side of the glass.
3. 3. Use high-quality spirits. Since this drink is all spirits, use the highest quality spirits possible. Choose spirits that you enjoy sipping since you won’t be able to mask the flavors.

A Mezcal Negroni is a three-ingredient drink. Learn about the three key ingredients below:

1. 1. Campari: Campari a type of Amaro, a category of herb-infused Italian liqueurs. Many people associate the flavor with bitter orange, but no specific, defined flavor exists. You’ll find Campari in classic cocktails like the Americano and the Campari Spritz.
   
2. 2. Mezcal: Smoky in flavor, mezcal is generally a straight drink in Mexico, meaning you consume it by itself instead of mixing it with other ingredients. However, in Negronis and other mezcal cocktails, the agave spirit adds a depth of flavor entirely different from the gin in the original recipe. The best mezcal for Negronis depends on your tastes: joven has the mildest flavor, while añejo has a deeper smokiness.
3. 3. Vermouth: A botanical-fortified wine, vermouth comes in various dryness levels. While initially there was only sweet or dry, popular demand led to manufacturers producing semi-sweet, extra-dry, and rosso. Rosso is the traditional vermouth in a Negroni and means “red.”

Learn more about mixology from award-winning bartenders Lynnette Marrero and Ryan Chetiyawardana. Refine your palate, explore the world of spirits, and shake up the perfect cocktail for your next gathering with the MasterClass Annual Membership.