The mezcal negroni is a smoky spin on a classic negroni recipe, and honestly, it might just be better than the original. With just three ingredients—mezcal, sweet vermouth, and Campari—it’s bold, complex, and surprisingly easy to make.
I love all thing negroni, so I knew this drink would be a winner. This version swaps out the usual gin for mezcal, giving the drink a rich complex flavor, with smoky notes that pair perfectly with the sweetness of vermouth and the bitterness of Campari. It’s a contemporary twist that adds a whole new layer of flavor, making it a great choice for cozy evenings or when you want something a little unexpected.
Ingredient Notes
The mezcal Negroni is made with equal parts of three different types of alcohol, so this is quite a boozy cocktail. The ingredients needed are:
- Mezcal - Mezcal is a type of alcohol made from the agave plant. The agave is cooked in underground pits, which creates the signature smoky flavor
from. The smoky twist is what takes this negroni recipe to the next level. - Sweet vermouth - Vermouth is a fortified wine, and sweet vermouth is subtly sweet and spicy, with a hint of bitterness. Since there are few ingredients in this cocktail, I recommend using a good-quality vermouth for the best flavor.
- Campari - An Italian aperitif, bitter Campari is known for its distinctive taste and bright red color. Its flavor is often described as being similar to grapefruit or bitter herbs.
See recipe card below for ingredient list with measurements.
Garnish Suggestions
Although this drink is beautiful as is and can be served without a garnish, citrus notes pair perfectly with the flavors of this drink. So the most common garnishes are:
- An orange slice or wedge
- Orange peel spiral or orange twist
- An olive
- Dried orange peel
How to make a Mezcal Negroni
This is an easy cocktail to make at home that doesn't require any fussy steps or equipment.
- STEP 1: Fill a mixing glass or cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
- STEP 2: After that, add the cocktail ingredients and stir for 30 - 60 seconds until well chilled.
- STEP 3: Strain and pour into an old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube. Garnish as desired and serve immediately.
Pitcher Version
This cocktail is an easy pitcher drink option. Because you mix equal parts of each ingredient it is easy to scale the quantity up or down depending on how many servings you need.
Simply add the mezcal, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a large pitcher according to how many servings you desire. Then mix together and allow to chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Glassware for Serving this Cocktail
A short rocks glass, also known as an Old Fashioned Glass, is the preferred glassware for serving a mezcal negroni. It allows the cocktail to be fully emerged by ice, which makes for easy sipping.
More mezcal cocktails to try:
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Recipe
Mezcal Negroni
Equipment
Instructions
- Fill a large glass with ice cubes.Ice Cubes
- After that, add the cocktail ingredients and stir for 30 - 60 seconds until well chilled.1 ounce Mezcal, 1 ounce Sweet Vermouth, 1 ounce Campari
- Strain and pour into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish as desired and serve immediately.
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