Negroni Sbagliato Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Backyard BBQ

by: Julie Myers

June15,2021

4

6 Ratings

  • Prep time 5 minutes
  • Makes 1 co*cktail

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Author Notes

The first time I ordered a Negroni Sbagliato at a hotel bar in Rome, the bartender looked at me quizzically. I wasn't sure if my pronunciation was that bad or if, as people often tell me, I was speaking too softly. So I repeated myself and added, "With prosecco instead of gin?" He shook his head and said, "But, my dear, that's wrong."

I soon realized that this was a joke he had told many times before: In Italian, "sbagliato" (pronounced spah-li’AH-toh) means "wrong," "messed-up," or "mistaken." The twist on the classic co*cktail is said to have originated when a rushed bartender making a Negroni accidentally picked up a bottle of prosecco instead of gin. A fortunate mistake, if you ask anyone who's tried it, as the result has endured in its native Italy for decades and found its place in bars and homes around the world.

A classic Negroni is equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, but feel free to add a bit more prosecco to the mix than you would gin, owing to its lower alcohol content (or keep it light for an aperitivo). I've never seen a bartender in Italy measure a Negroni, so you'll be in good company. The prosecco softens the Campari’s signature edge ever so slightly for a wonderful balance of bitterness, sweetness, and fizz. Don’t forget the orange wheel or twist—the fresh zippiness brightens and enlivens the whole glass.

There’s no need to reach for a pricey bottle of prosecco when making a Negroni Sbagliato, since the sparkling wine’s more subtle notes will certainly be overpowered by the sharp citrusy flavor of the Campari and complex spiciness of the vermouth. At the same time, it’s a wise move not to grab the least-expensive bottle you can find, as there will still be plenty left over for sipping chilled on its own after you make the co*cktail. If you’re looking to add a higher-end or small-batch element to your drink, try Cappelletti—a delicious rhubarb-forward amaro from Italy—in place of Campari.

This drink is easy to make in a large batch for a crowd, with no need for elaborate shaking or muddling. Simply pour over ice, top with prosecco, garnish, and enjoy. —Julie Myers

Test Kitchen Notes

WHO: Julie Myers is a past member of the Food52 team with a Masters in Food earned in Italy.
WHAT: A simple, subtler cousin of the classic Negroni.
HOW: Pour two of our favorite types of alcohol into a glass with ice. Stir, top with bubbly, and drink.
WHY WE LOVE IT: This version of the bitter and harshly sweet Negroni replaces gin with prosecco for a lighter, sparkling pre-dinner drink. When we close our eyes and take a sip, it almost feels like we're on the shore of Cinque Terre—almost. —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved
Ingredients
  • 1 ounceCampari
  • 1 ouncesweet vermouth
  • 1 ounceprosecco, or more to taste
  • ice
  • orange peel or wheel, to garnish
Directions
  1. Pour the Campari and sweet vermouth into an ice-filled glass, and stir.
  2. Top with prosecco, garnish with orange peel, and serve.

Tags:

  • co*cktail
  • Italian
  • Vermouth
  • Campari
  • Entertaining
  • Dinner Party
  • Summer
  • Memorial Day
  • Father's Day
  • Mother's Day
  • New Year's Eve
  • Easter

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • QueenOfGreen

  • cookbabycook

  • dymnyno

  • AntoniaJames

  • Julie Myers

Recipe by: Julie Myers

Perpetually hungry. Will travel for food.

Popular on Food52

11 Reviews

QueenOfGreen July 13, 2023

A friend made ravioli stuffed with greens served with walnut sauce, and a radicchio salad. This co*cktail to start and the Citrus Tarragon Sorbet to finish perfectly complemented the evening. Though I will admit that my proportions were probably more like 1:1:4!

jeacooking February 27, 2023

Perfectly proportioned.

cookbabycook December 27, 2020

Great for a hot summer night at Cinque Terre! Same recipe from our bartender at a cliffside bar in Vernazza but ratios were 1.5 parts each of Campari & Sweet Vermouth, plus 2 part Prosecco, over 1 or 2 ice cubes (more will kill the bubbles) and an orange slice. Perfetto!

Richard S. December 27, 2015

When I was in Italy this year--in the north--they called this a "Campari spritz."

Therese P. December 27, 2015

Seems to be a lot of versions of the Campari Spritz. Mine in Italy ( Umbria, Tuscany, Rome) this year was Campari, Prosecco & Soda, over ice. It's followed us home to Australia as a perfect Christmas/NewYear ( actually all summer long) drink. Cheers!

dymnyno June 2, 2015

I am a confirmed gin hound! I can't imagine a Negroni without gin. My favorite is #209 plus Antica vermouth.

beejay45 May 18, 2015

Think I'd switch the sweet vermouth for the prosecco. Really don't like the sweet vermouth. ;) However, I do love Campari, so this is something we will be trying. Thanks!

Lmkltk May 8, 2015

I have loved this co*cktail for years! Ordering one is always a bit of a trial. . . but well worth the trouble!

Julie M. May 11, 2015

I agree!

AntoniaJames October 26, 2014

Wonderful story! Great looking co*cktail! ;o)

Julie M. October 26, 2014

Thank you! Enjoy!

Negroni Sbagliato Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between a Negroni and a Negroni Sbagliato? ›

Remember, a traditional Negroni is made from Campari, the bitter liqueur; sweet vermouth; and gin. The "broken" Negroni, or Negroni Sbagliato, starts with Campari and sweet vermouth. In place of gin, though, the Sbagliato version uses sparkling wine.

What does a Negroni Sbagliato with prosecco taste like? ›

What Does a Negroni Sbagliato Taste Like? Equal parts sweet and bitter thanks to the fortified wine red vermouth (also called sweet vermouth) and Campari (the cult favorite, bright-red aperitif), the Negroni Sbagliato gets a bubbly lift from effervescent Prosecco.

What is the alcohol content of a Negroni Sbagliato? ›

The Sbagliato swaps out the gin for prosecco (or any dry sparkling wine), which tops the drink, and is garnished with an orange peel. It averages around 13 percent ABV.

What type of person drinks a Negroni? ›

Drink Order: Negroni

You have a bold and adventurous side. This co*cktail – made with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth – is currently trending on the co*cktail scene. Its unique blend of flavors showcase your open-mindedness and willingness to explore new trends and experiences.

What is a dirty Negroni? ›

Here is an uncommon one that I really enjoy: A Dirty Negroni. It doesn't contain any dry gin, vermouth, or Campari. But it tastes like it does. Instead, we use 2oz of Cynar, that delightful artichoke-based amaro, with 1oz of Old Tom-style gin. It sounds funky, but it works.

Who made Negroni Sbagliato famous? ›

A negroni sbagliato is simply a negroni mixed with prosecco in place of the traditional gin, yet on Google Trends, which shows global search interest over time, there was a seismic spike on 5 October. The origins of the trend can be identified with unusual precision: a namecheck by actor Emma D'Arcy.

What is a Negroni with cognac called? ›

The French Negroni - Cognac co*cktails - Remy Martin USA.

Does a Negroni Sbagliato have prosecco in it? ›

A classic negroni contains equal parts gin, vermouth, and Campari. While a sbagliato, which translates to “mistake” in Italian, swaps prosecco for gin.

Who drinks Negroni Sbagliato with prosecco? ›

1., D'Arcy revealed their drink of choice to co-star Olivia Cooke, who plays Queen Alicent. "A negroni ... sbagliato ... with prosecco in it," D'Arcy says with playful pauses in between. "Oh, stunning," Cooke replies.

Is Negroni better with Aperol or Campari? ›

Aperol is less bitter than Campari and has a sweeter and fruitier flavor, meaning this co*cktail will have a subtle sweetness to it. Campari has noticeably bitter and herbal flavors by comparison. These notes are good to keep in mind when deciding which variation of a Negroni you prefer mixing.

What is the drink of choice for the sbagliato? ›

The Negroni Sbagliato is a co*cktail with a bittersweet taste that is made up of Gin, Campari and Prosecco. Prosecco is what makes Negroni Sbagliato stand out from the origianal drink. It may seem like it's difficult to find the perfect Prosecco to use in this co*cktail but it's actually not.

What's the difference between Aperol Spritz and Negroni Sbagliato? ›

This is essentially a Negroni spritz. It's a relative of, and similar to, the Aperol Spritz, only a touch more bitter with a hint of earthiness that gives it more of the gravitas. It is a fantastic low-proof co*cktail and makes for an excellent aperitif.

Does Negroni make you drunk? ›

The Negroni is made entirely of liquor; it's a booze on booze kind of drink typically consisting of dry gin, sweet vermouth and bitters, then garnished with orange. As a result, the Negroni is not a weak drink, with an average alcohol content somewhere around 24% ABV (Alcohol By Volume).

Is Negroni stronger than Old Fashioned? ›

Old-Fashioned — (38.09%, 2.44oz in volume, 0.93oz alcohol) Bloody Mary — (12%, 7.5oz in volume, 0.9oz alcohol) Negroni — (20.13%, 4oz in volume, 0.81oz alcohol) Daiquiri — (15%, 5.33oz in volume, 0.8oz alcohol)

Why is it called a Negroni Sbagliato? ›

“Sbagliato” – meaning “bungled” or “mistaken” – has suddenly become the all-important addendum in ordering a negroni. A negroni sbagliato is simply a negroni mixed with prosecco in place of the traditional gin, yet on Google Trends, which shows global search interest over time, there was a seismic spike on 5 October.

What is a Negroni Sbagliato with prosecco Stanley? ›

Sexy co*cktail academic Stanley Tucci has long proven this to be true. In its most basic form, a negroni consists of Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin. Specifying sbagliato, which roughly translates to “mistaken” or “wrong,” means the gin is swapped out for prosecco.

What is Negroni Sbagliato with prosecco from? ›

The negroni sbagliato is a happy accident, originating in Milan's Bar Basso when a bartender mistakenly reached for sparkling wine rather than gin when making a negroni. It's a good option for those who crave the assertive bitterness of a negroni but want something a little lighter and less alcoholic.

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