White Mezcal Negroni
A smoky and bitter mezcal cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 25.2% ABV ∙
The White Mezcal Negroni is a White Negroni made with mezcal instead of gin, stirred with bianco vermouth and a gentian liqueur such as Suze.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Mezcal 45 mlBianco vermouth 25 mlGentian liqueur 15 ml
- Strain into the ice-filled glass (preferably over a large cube or chunk of block ice)
- Express a lemon twist over the cocktail and discard
History
The White Mezcal Negroni is a smoky riff on the White Negroni, made by swapping mezcal in for the gin and bianco vermouth in for the Lillet Blanc. No inventor or date is documented for it.
The White Negroni itself was created in 2001 by London bartender Wayne Collins and Nick Blacknell, then director of Plymouth Gin, during a trip to Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France. The pair substituted Suze and Lillet Blanc for the Negroni's usual Campari and sweet vermouth.
FAQ
What is in a White Mezcal Negroni?
Mezcal, bianco vermouth, and a gentian liqueur such as Suze. They replace a classic Negroni's gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, which is what puts both 'white' and 'mezcal' in the name.
How do you make a White Mezcal Negroni?
Stir the mezcal, bianco vermouth, and gentian liqueur with ice until well chilled, then strain into an old-fashioned glass over a large ice cube. Express a lemon twist over the top and discard it.
What is the ratio for a Mezcal Negroni?
Mezcal-heavy rather than the Negroni's equal parts: 45 ml mezcal to 25 ml bianco vermouth and 15 ml gentian liqueur. The smoky mezcal leads; the vermouth adds sweetness and the gentian adds bitterness.
Is a Mezcal Negroni good?
It suits drinkers who like a Negroni's bitter structure but want smoke instead of juniper. The mezcal's earthiness pairs naturally with the gentian liqueur's bitterness, while the bianco vermouth keeps the drink lighter and less sweet than a classic red Negroni.
