Kingston Negroni
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 22.1% ABV ∙
The Kingston Negroni swaps gin for Jamaican aged rum alongside a red bitter and rich vermouth, stirred and served over ice.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Jamaican aged rum 30 mlRed bitter 30 mlCarpano Antica Formula vermouth 30 ml
- Strain into the ice-filled glass
- Garnish with an orange twist
Tips
- Pick a funky, full-bodied Jamaican aged rum; a light or white rum disappears under the red bitter and vermouth.
- Stir for about 30 seconds, until the outside of the mixing glass frosts; under-chilled, the rum comes on too strong.
History
The Kingston Negroni was created by bartender Joaquín Simó at Death & Co in New York in 2009, after liquor importer Eric Seed brought a bottle of Smith & Cross Jamaican rum into the bar. Simó, working alongside Phil Ward, stirred the funky overproof rum into a Negroni in place of gin, and the drink debuted on the Death & Co menu in the spring of 2010, quickly spreading to bars across the country.
The Negroni itself is an Italian aperitif of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, widely traced to Florence around 1919. The Kingston Negroni keeps that equal-parts structure, trading the original's dry, juniper-forward profile for a heavier, funkier character.
FAQ
What is a Kingston Negroni?
A Negroni with Jamaican aged rum in place of gin, stirred in equal parts with a red bitter and rich vermouth and served over ice with an orange twist. The rum's funk and spice take the place of the gin's botanicals.
How does a Kingston Negroni differ from a classic Negroni?
A classic Negroni is equal parts gin, a red bitter and sweet vermouth; the Kingston Negroni swaps the gin for Jamaican aged rum. This recipe also uses Carpano Antica Formula, a richer vermouth with vanilla and dried fruit that stands up to the rum's funk.
What rum is best for a Kingston Negroni?
A funky, full-bodied Jamaican aged rum. The drink needs that funk to hold its own against the bitter and vermouth; a light or white rum disappears under them.
Is a Kingston Negroni sweet or bitter?
Bitter first, like any Negroni. The Jamaican rum and Carpano Antica add a deeper, spiced sweetness under the bitter orange than gin does. At roughly 22.1% ABV, it drinks as a strong sipper, not a sweet cocktail.
