Mezcal Negroni
A Negroni with mezcal in place of gin. The smoke meets Campari's bitterness head-on, and a lot of drinkers prefer it to the original.
Built to the standard modern spec; not yet tested in our kitchen. How we test.
The recipe.
Scaling adjusts quantities only. Prepare shaken drinks in individual portions.
Let’s make a good drink.
Add the mezcal, Campari and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass in equal measure.
Fill with ice and stir for 25-30 seconds.
Strain over one large cube in a rocks glass.
Express an orange peel over the surface and drop it in.
A thoughtful finish
- Use an espadín mezcal rather than a wild-agave bottling. Tobalá or tepeztate are remarkable and they vanish completely under Campari.
- Try the split base: half an ounce each of mezcal and gin alongside the Campari and vermouth. It is the version most likely to convert someone who thinks they dislike mezcal.
- Equal parts is the whole architecture. Measure all three.
Common mistakes
- Using a heavily smoky mezcal at a full ounce and then deciding the drink is too much. Start with a gentler espadín.
- Shaking it, which clouds a spirit-forward drink.
- Tired vermouth. With three ingredients and nothing to hide behind, an oxidised bottle is immediately obvious.
A few good questions.
Is it better than a gin Negroni?
Different, and a matter of taste. The smoke adds a savoury dimension that suits Campari unusually well. Many people who find gin Negronis sharp prefer this one.
Which mezcal?
An espadín labelled Artesanal at 45% or above. You want enough character to show through Campari and not so much complexity that you are wasting it.
Can I use tequila instead?
Yes, and that drink is often served as a Tequila Negroni. Blanco tequila gives the agave character without the smoke — a cleaner, brighter drink.
What is a Mezcal Negroni with sherry called?
There is no standard name, but swapping half the vermouth for oloroso sherry is a common modern move and makes a drier, nuttier drink.
Variations
- Negroni — Gin in place of mezcal.
- Boulevardier — Bourbon in place of gin.
- Negroni Sbagliato — Sparkling wine in place of the spirit.
- Oaxaca Old Fashioned — Reposado and mezcal with agave syrup.
Where it comes from
c. 2010s
A modern variation with no single documented author, arriving as good mezcal became widely available outside Mexico through the 2010s. The logic is sound rather than novel: the Negroni’s equal-parts structure is famously robust, and its bitterness and sweet vermouth give smoke something substantial to push against. Some bars serve it with a split base — half mezcal, half gin — which keeps the juniper and adds smoke as a seasoning rather than replacing one lead with another.
Sources
- Gary Regan, The Negroni, 2015 (book)
- Difford's Guide, Negroni variations, current (reference)
Strength. About 1.42 US standard drinks at an estimated 23.6% ABV, estimated from the ingredients and technique, not measured. What that means.
A little character in every sip.
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