Recipes
Negroni Week 2023
Get ready for Negroni Week 2023 with Empress 1908!
Did you hear that next week is Negroni Week? From September 18th to 24th, bartenders from all over the world celebrate this beloved cocktail by creating their own unique twists and variations! As it’s one of our favourite spirit-forward cocktails with that perfect bittersweet complexity, we’ll be raising our glasses with them. Read on to explore some of our favourite Negroni recipes and sip along with us!
If you’re interested in a bit of a history lesson and additional info about this tipple, check out our previous Negroni Week article!
Ready to get mixing? Jump to the recipe!
- Empress Negroni
- Negroni Rosa
- Royal Sbagliato
- Grapefruit Negroni Fizz
- Indigo Negroni
- Smoky Negroni Blanco
Empress Negroni
Starting with our signature, this version takes inspiration from the White Negroni, known for its lighter finish that really allows the gin to shine. With a white aperitivo and dry vermouth, the Empress Negroni boasts a more citrus-forward and herbal palate that we can’t get enough of! The grapefruit twist provides fragrant oils for the perfect final touch.
Negroni Rosa
Next, we bring you a Negroni using Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin, which we released recently to our friends across the US and Canada! This recipe plays with the same template as the previous, though by swapping out the choice of gin, we introduce more florals and subtle spice for a delicate, yet balanced profile. Garnish with an orange twist to play off the botanical recipe!
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- ¾ oz Luxardo Bitter Bianco
- ¾ oz Dry Vermouth
- Orange Twist
METHOD
Stir over ice. Strain into a rocks glass onto a large ice cube or sphere. Garnish with an orange twist.
Royal Sbagliato
The Negroni Sbagliato was said to have been created when a bartender in Milan meant to mix a regular Negroni for a customer, but ended up grabbing a bottle of prosecco instead of gin. The drink was served and only then did they realize they made a mistake, or a “sbagliato!”
To the customer and to us, this was certainly no mistake. It’s an amazingly crisp riff on the classic! Ours does, of course, swap out the aperitif wine instead of gin for bubbly, but we can assure that it’s still just as delish.
Grapefruit Negroni Fizz
Maybe you don’t want something so spirit-forward. This bright and refreshing delight by @bakingthegoods has you covered with the addition of sparkling grapefruit soda that pairs perfectly with Empress Indigo Gin and Campari. A juicy grapefruit slice is the ideal garnish!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Dry Vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- 4 oz Sparkling Grapefruit Soda
- Ruby Red Grapefruit Slice
METHOD
Add dry vermouth, Campari and sparkling grapefruit tonic to a rocks glass filled with ice and stir. Garnish with a thick and juicy slice of grapefruit, then top with ice and float the gin on top for a dramatic and colourful presentation. Stir together just before serving and enjoy in your favourite sunny spot!
Indigo Negroni
Going back to the classics, @theweekendmixologist reminds us of why the Negroni is such an incredible cocktail! The blanc vermouth adds a wonderful sweetness to balance with the amaro. This duo complements the grapefruit bitters and sharp lemon twist for those final touches of aromatic complexity.
Smoky Negroni Bianco
To end off with a bang, @takestwoeggs warms us up with this smoked take for a true showstopper! The fruitier qualities of cherry wood make an excellent choice to smoke this Negroni, to prevent overwhelming the more delicate notes of the base cocktail. The orange oils also pair perfectly with their warmth and sweetness!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Luxardo Bitter Bianco
- 1 oz Blanc Vermouth
- Cocktail Smoker of choice, Cherry Wood preferred
- Orange Twist
METHOD
Add Empress Indigo Gin, bitter bianco, and blanc vermouth to a cocktail mixer with ice and stir generously. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Use cherry wood with your smoker of choice. Express an orange peel before garnishing. Enjoy!
Whether you go with a Negroni that’s more spirit-forward and bitter or brighter with some effervescence, it’s no wonder why people throughout the world enjoy sipping on this cocktail. We hope you share your creations with the hashtags #NegroniWeek2023 and #EmpressGin! Feel free to really show off your creativity with your own Negronis and Empress 1908 – that’s what this week is all about!
To learn more about Negroni Week, visit NegroniWeek.com!
For more cocktail inspiration, check out our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!