Elevate your evening with a Strawberry Negroni. This berry cocktail combines gin and sweet vermouth with strawberry-infused bitter Campari.
A Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. This Strawberry Negroni recipe combines with classic formula with a strawberry-infused Campari. The strawberry adds sweetness and fruit flavor to the cocktail without diluting it or using simple syrup.
The History of the Negroni
The cocktail originated in Italy in the early 1910s as a stronger variation of the Americano cocktail. A bartender replaced the soda water in the typical Americano with gin and the Negroni was born. It’s one of the most popular cocktails in the world! So much so that there is an international Negroni Week every year. Imbibe Magazine created the week as a way to celebrate the Negroni and for cocktail bars around the world to raise money for charity.
Strawberry Negroni Ingredients
- Gin – This botanical and juniper-heavy spirit has a very distinct flavor. It’s perfectly accented by sweet vermouth and Campari in a classic negroni recipe. The strawberry flavor in this fresh spin on the classic cocktail complements the botanical flavors of the dry gin well.
- Sweet Vermouth – Vermouth is a fortified wine that contains base wine, sugar, and a distilled spirit flavored with herbs and spices. It is also called red vermouth. Sweet vermouth is a staple ingredient for classic cocktails like the Negroni or Manhattan.
- Strawberry-Infused Campari – Campari is a bitter Italian liqueur known as an aperitivo. It’s made with bitter orange peel and is a deep crimson color. Infusing Campari with strawberries cuts the bitterness of the liqueur and adds a subtle berry flavor to any cocktail.
Homemade Strawberry-Infused Campari
Campari is incredibly bitter and has an acquired taste. If you aren’t a fan of Campari but enjoy cocktails with the bitter liqueur try infusing it with sweet fruits to alter the flavor.
- Combine 1 cup of Campari and 1 cup of frozen or fresh strawberries in a tightly sealed jar.
- Place the jar in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.
- Strain the strawberry Campari to remove any seeds or strawberry chunks.
- Store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
How to Make a Strawberry Negroni
This Negroni riff is a slightly less bitter take on the classic cocktail. The infused Campari makes this Strawberry Negroni slightly less bitter and a little fruity.
Step One – Pour an ounce of gin, an ounce of vermouth, and an ounce of strawberry-infused Campari over a cup of ice in a mixing glass.
Step Two – Then, stir the ingredients using a bar spoon for at least 30 seconds. Stirring the cocktail helps combine the ingredients and encourages dilution from the melting ice. Since this cocktail is made with three different spirits and no mixer dilution helps bind the ingredients and enhance their flavors. Do not shake a Negroni! Shaking introduces unneeded aeration that changes the texture and flavor of the drink.
Step Three – Next, strain the negroni cocktail into a cocktail glass over ice. Use a single large sphere or cube of ice for this drink. The large ice melts slower than regular ice so it won’t overdilute the cocktail. If you don’t have large ice cubes then use 2-3 regular ice cubes to control the dilution.
Step Four – Finally, garnish the strawberry negroni with a slice of strawberry. If you’re making this cocktail for Valentine’s Day cut the strawberry into a little heart.
What Type of Glass Do I Use?
- Negroni Glass – This small 8-ounce glass is ideal for serving a Negroni over a single large ice cube. Since this classic cocktail is made with only 3 ounces of ingredients, the small glass is the perfect size.
- Low Ball Glass – Don’t let a limited collection of cocktail glasses discourage you from serving fantastic drinks! A lowball glass, also called a rocks glass, with a large chunk of ice or several regular ice cubes is also great for a Negroni.
Can I Batch This Strawberry Negroni Cocktail Recipe?
Absolutely! A batched strawberry negroni is a fun way to serve guests at a happy hour party! Simply multiply the ingredients by the number of guests plan to serve. So ten guests would mean 10 ounces of each ingredient. Combine everything in a large pitcher or bottle and add about 2.5 ounces of water for dilution. Store it in the refrigerator or freezer until it’s time to serve.
How to Store a Negroni
Store negronis in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Don’t store a drink that is overdiluted or it will ruin the flavor.
More Cocktail Recipes for Valentine’s Day
Strawberry Negroni
Equipment
- cocktail mixing glass
- Julep strainer
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz strawberry-infused Campari
Instructions
- Pour 1 oz gin, 1 oz vermouth, and 1 oz strawberry-infused Campari over a cup of ice in a mixing glass.
- Stir with a bar spoon for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a short cocktail glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a slice of strawberry. *For more festive flair, cut into the shape of a heart.*
How to Make Strawberry Infused Campari
- Combine 1 cup Campari and 1 cup strawberries in a tightly sealed jar.
- Store in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours.
- Strain the strawberry Campari and store it in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
