The Negroni has long been a favorite at Merchants of Beverage — well before launching, we knew we had to feature it as one of our first classic cocktails.

With a recipe in equal parts, it appeals to even the most amateur of home bartenders, and its history and panache has earned it a place in the hearts of many a master mixologist.

Before the Negroni, there was the Americano — Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda. Evidently, this was not enough to quench the thirst of Count Camillo Negroni, who famously requested the aperitivo with gin instead of soda.

Despite the unlikely marriage of its three ingredients, the Negroni remains to be one of the most mystifyingly delicious drinks on the menu. The freshness of the gin, the bittersweet Campari, and the spicy vermouth don’t fight for attention, instead they peacefully coexist within the provocatively colored drink.

The Negroni kit comes with a recipe card because we want you to have all the tools necessary to get mixing right away! Luckily, if you don’t yet have a fully outfitted bar, the Negroni is one cocktail that can be made in a pinch with regular kitchen items — just swap the mixing glass for a pint glass or something similar and use a regular spoon.

While there are substitutes for the tools needed to mix the drink, we don’t recommend using regular ice in a Negroni — one large cube is best, and if you don’t have that, just drink it neat! Some prefer it that way anyway.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce gin
• 1 ounce Campari
• 1 ounce sweet vermouth
• Orange peel

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass.
2. Add ice and stir.
3. For on the rocks, strain over ice (preferably one large cube) into a rocks glass.
4. For up, strain into a coupe or cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with an orange peel.

Cheers to drinking better at home! -Merchants of Beverage