White Negroni
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 24.3% ABV ∙
The White Negroni is an equal-parts stir of London dry gin, a gentian liqueur such as Suze and an aromatized wine such as Lillet Blanc. Bittersweet and bracing, with a bitter, herbal edge softened by a silky texture, finishing long and dry under a bright citrus-oil snap.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Pour all ingredients into the ice-filled glass: London dry gin 30 mlGentian liqueur 30 mlAromatized wine 30 ml
- Stir gently
- Express a grapefruit twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Stir gently over the ice already in the glass just until well-chilled; the build sits in ice from the start, so over-stirring only over-dilutes it.
- Express the grapefruit twist directly over the surface before dropping it in — the oils carry most of the citrus aroma.
- Keep the three components equal parts as a starting point; nudging the gentian liqueur down slightly softens the bitterness without losing the drink's character.
History
The White Negroni was created in 2001 by London bartender Wayne Collins at Vinexpo, a wine and spirits trade fair in Bordeaux, France. The night before a cocktail competition, Collins and Nick Blacknell, then brand director of Plymouth Gin, wanted a Negroni but stocked their ingredients from a local French shop, so Collins substituted the French bitter liqueur Suze for Campari and Lillet Blanc for sweet vermouth, keeping gin and equal proportions. The drink caught on slowly since Suze was not yet sold in the United States; it gained wider traction after being introduced to Audrey Saunders, who put it on the menu at her New York bar Pegu Club.
The Negroni itself is generally traced to Florence, Italy, around 1919, when Count Camillo Negroni is said to have asked a bartender to strengthen his usual Americano with gin in place of soda water, though the exact circumstances of its creation are disputed among several claimants. The White Negroni keeps the same gin base and equal-parts structure but swaps in French Suze and Lillet Blanc for the Negroni's Italian Campari and sweet vermouth, giving it a paler color and a drier, more herbal profile.
FAQ
What goes in a White Negroni?
Equal parts London dry gin, a gentian liqueur such as Suze, and an aromatized wine such as Lillet Blanc, stirred over ice and finished with an expressed grapefruit twist. It comes in at about 24% ABV and roughly 162 calories per serving.
What is a Negroni bianco?
Negroni bianco is simply another name for the White Negroni, a stirred, equal-parts variation that swaps in a gentian liqueur and a pale aromatized wine for a lighter color and flavor than the classic version.
What's the difference between a regular Negroni and a White Negroni?
A regular Negroni uses a red bitter such as Campari and sweet vermouth, giving it a deep red color and a bold, bittersweet punch. The White Negroni replaces both with a gentian liqueur such as Suze and an aromatized wine such as Lillet Blanc, keeping the same equal-parts structure but landing lighter, drier, and more floral, with pale straw color instead of red.
Is a White Negroni stronger than a regular Negroni?
The two land close in strength since both are equal-parts, all-alcoholic builds; this White Negroni comes in at about 24% ABV, similar to a classic Negroni. Neither reads as noticeably stronger than the other, though the White Negroni's lighter, drier profile can make it drink less heavy despite the comparable alcohol content.
What is a substitute for Suze in a White Negroni?
Another gentian liqueur, such as Salers or Bonal, is the closest substitute, since gentian's bitter root character is what defines the drink. Aveze is another common stand-in; each shifts the bitterness slightly but keeps the White Negroni's core bittersweet, herbal profile intact.
Can I make a White Negroni without Suze?
Yes, any gentian-based liqueur can stand in for Suze, since gentian bitterness is the defining note rather than the specific brand. Salers, Bonal, or Aveze all work as replacements while keeping the equal-parts structure with the gin and aromatized wine intact.
