Classic Negroni Spritz
This Negroni Spritz is one of many Negroni variations. This variation takes the typical Negroni ratio and turns that into a spritz with Prosecco and soda water.
While I missed the Stanley Tucci Negroni phenomenon, I’ve been in love with the Negroni since my Cranberry Negroni. Read on to learn all the things I learned about Prosecco from a recent trip through Valdobbiadene, or just hit that Jump to Recipe button and let’s make a Negroni spritz!
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Ingredients
The Negroni spritz is a mash-up between a Negroni and a spritz, two classic Italian cocktails.
What is a Negroni?
The Negroni is a classic cocktail developed in Italy in the 1800s. It’s a bitter Campari gin cocktail traditionally containing equal proportions of Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth.
What is a spritz?
A spritz has Prosecco and soda water or seltzer. It often follows a classic cocktail ratio of 3 ounces of Prosecco to 2 ounces of liquor to 1 ounce of soda water like in this passion fruit spritz.
About Prosecco
Prosecco is a sparkling wine made in a specific region in Italy. The Prosecco and soda in the spritz help decrease the Negroni’s perceived bitterness.
Just like other sparkling wines, Prosecco has a range of sweetness depending on residual sugar (from extra brut, brut, extra dry, dry, and then to sweeter sparkling wines like demi sec and dolce). Because the Prosecco is dominated by other spritz ingredients, I would use an inexpensive brut or extra dry Prosecco when mixing.
Please see the recipe card below for complete information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations and substitutions
There are lots of ways to vary the Negroni. One of my favorites is to sub another amaro like Aperol for an Aperol Negroni.
The Negroni sbagliato, meaning “wrong” or “mistake,” is a Negroni variation with Prosecco instead of gin. Stir equal parts of Campari and sweet vermouth with ice in a rocks glass and then top it up with Prosecco. Or turn the Negroni sbagliato into its own spritz with soda water.
Want to explore other amari and Italian cocktails? Make Aperol sour as an alternative aperitivo. Or make a Frangelico sour as a digestivo to go with your aperitivo.
Recipe tips and tricks
How to open Prosecco
Whether you’re having a Negroni spritz, a French 75, or a Pornstar Martini, knowing how to open sparkling wines without making a mess is one of those critical life lessons. Like how to change a tire. Or the importance of compounding.
Step 1: Find a place to open your Prosecco that won’t take out an eye or break glass.
Step 2: Remove the foil wrapping around the cork and wire cage.
Step 3: Put your hand on top of the bottle and carefully untwist the cage and remove it.
Step 4: Put your hand on top of the cork and hold it firmly. Slowly and gently rotate the bottle until the cork quietly pops out.
Step by step
Step 1: Combine the Negroni base of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth and pour it into a wine glass.
Step 2: Fill the wine glass with ice cubes and pour in the Prosecco and soda water.
Step 3: Stir gently, garnish with a fresh or dehydrated orange slice, and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Prosecco is a sparkling white wine made with glera grapes from a specific Italian region. Its second fermentation is tank-based and quick (just about one month), making it different from the in-bottle Champenoise method used in Champagne, Cremant, and Cava.
London dry gin is a type of gin with a predominant flavor of juniper. Popular dry gins that could be used for this Negroni spritz include Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, and Beefeater.
Yes, a Negroni is traditionally on the rocks, but you can enjoy it in a chilled coupe or flute, if that’s your preference!
Open bottles of sparkling wine will lose carbonation over time. They are best enjoyed immediately, but open Prosecco will keep some carbonation over a few days.
Related cocktail recipes
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Love cocktails and want to explore more? Read all about classic cocktails and bartender basics or join this year’s 52 weeks of cocktails challenge!
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Recipe
Negroni Spritz
Ingredients
- ½ ounce dry gin like Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire
- ½ ounce Campari
- ½ ounce sweet vermouth
- 3 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling wine
- 1 ounce soda water or seltzer water more or less to taste
- orange slice or twist for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a cocktail shaker or glass measuring cup and pour into a wine glass.½ ounce Campari, ½ ounce sweet vermouth, ½ ounce dry gin
- Fill the wine glass with ice cubs
- Fill the wine glass with ice cubes, then add the Prosecco and soda water. Stir once to combine.3 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling wine, 1 ounce soda water or seltzer water
- Garnish your Negroni spritz with an orange slice or twist.orange slice or twist for garnish
Notes
Nutrition
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