Mezcal Negroni
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 24.1% ABV ∙
A Mezcal Negroni is a stirred, spirit-forward twist on the Negroni, swapping the gin for mezcal alongside equal parts red bitter and rosso vermouth. Smoky mezcal drives the first sip, bitter-orange and herbal vermouth building underneath into a long, faintly charred finish.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Pour all ingredients into the ice-filled glass: Mezcal 30 mlRed bitter 30 mlRosso vermouth 30 ml
- Stir
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and use as garnish (and/or garnish with an olive)
Tips
- Stir over ice in a pre-chilled glass until the outside frosts — this dilutes the equal-parts build without dulling the smoke.
- Choose a joven (unaged) mezcal so the smoke stays bright rather than muddying the bitter and vermouth.
- Express the orange twist directly over the drink before dropping it in — the oils carry more citrus aroma than the peel alone.
- Try an olive garnish instead of the orange twist for a saltier, more savory take on the same equal-parts build.
History
No single bartender is credited with the first Mezcal Negroni; by the account of one cocktail publication, no one recalls precisely who mixed it first, with candidates including Misty Kalkofen, an early advocate for mezcal in American bars, and Phil Ward, who opened the influential agave-focused bar Mayahuel in New York in 2009 and served the swap there in its early days without claiming to have invented it. The drink instead spread organically as American bartenders in the 2000s and 2010s began substituting mezcal for gin in the classic formula, drawn to the smoky edge it gave the bittersweet template.
The template itself is the Negroni, generally traced to Florence around 1919-20, when Count Camillo Negroni is said to have asked a bartender to strengthen his usual Americano by adding gin in place of soda water. The Mezcal Negroni keeps the equal-parts bittersweet structure but swaps in mezcal for gin, trading the botanical profile for a smoky character.
FAQ
What is a Negroni with mezcal called?
It is called a Mezcal Negroni, a variation that replaces the gin in a classic Negroni with mezcal while keeping equal parts red bitter and rosso vermouth. The swap trades the gin's botanical edge for mezcal's smoke, giving the same stirred, spirit-forward drink a charred, agave-driven character.
Is a Negroni with mezcal good?
Yes, the smoke from the mezcal pairs naturally with the bitter-orange and herbal notes already in a Negroni, making the swap a popular one among bartenders. At about 24% ABV it is just as strong and spirit-forward as the original, with a drier, more savory finish.
What is the best mezcal for a Mezcal Negroni?
A joven (unaged) mezcal is the usual choice, since its raw smoke and agave character come through clearly against the other stirred ingredients. An aged reposado or añejo mezcal can be used for a rounder, less smoky result, but it will mute the drink's defining charred edge.
What is the best vermouth for a Mezcal Negroni?
A classic Italian rosso (sweet) vermouth works best, as its herbal sweetness balances the mezcal's smoke much like it does gin in a standard Negroni. It's stirred in equal measure with the other ingredients.
