Looking for a new cocktail to try out this weekend? Want to wind down with a fresh new drink? We’ve got you covered. Here’s what you should drink this weekend.
We have not shied away from our unabashed love for the classic Negroni. In our opinion, it’s one of the best classic cocktails delivering a balanced yet powerful punch in a glass. And, like most classic cocktails, it’s seen its fair share of riffs and remixes. Some great some mediocre. One such riff that has become its own modern classic is the White Negroni.
The White Negroni debuted at VinExpo, a beverage trade show in Bordeaux, France, in 2001 and is attributed to British bartender Wayne Collins. It offers the same bracing bitterness and boozy impact of a Negroni but subs out both Campari and Vermouth. Instead, Collins paired gin with Suze, a gentian aperitif, and Lillet Blanc, a wine-based aperitif. The two spirits are able to mimic the same flavor characteristics found in the original Negroni but result in a clear cocktail.
Since its inception, the White Negroni has been a hit at cocktail bars the world over and you can expect it to show up regularly as a distinct offering from the classic Negroni. With the characteristic bitterness, and without all that much sweetness, the White Negroni is an impressively refreshing cocktail perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif.
White Negroni Ingredients
Gin – The original White Negroni recipe used Plymouth Gin, which is a great option for this cocktail. But, at the end of the day, you can really use whatever gin you like. Neversink Spirits and Barr Hill are a couple of our favorite gins.
Lillet Blanc – Purists will only use Lillet Blanc, which is a specific wine-based aperitif, in their White Negronis. However, it has a relatively similar flavor profile to other fortified wines so you could certainly opt for a Dry or Blanc Vermouth here. In that case, Dolin Dry is a good alternative to Lillet Blanc.
Suze – And finally, Suze is the aperitif of choice in this bitter cocktail. Suze is a gentian aperitif with quite a bracing flavor profile. If you happen to find other gentian-based liqueurs you can definitely give them a try but as Suze is relatively accessible, we suggest sticking with it in your White Negroni.
White Negroni Recipe
- Combine equal parts (1 ounce each) of Gin, Lillet Blanc, and Suze in a mixing glass over ice.
- Stir until chilled, about 15 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over ice.
- Garnish with a lemon, orange, or grapefruit twist.
- Enjoy!
