Aperol Negroni

Learn how to make the perfect Aperol Negroni with this simple recipe. The refreshing and delicious combination of Aperol, gin, and sweet vermouth is always a hit. Enjoy it for an evening cocktail or as the signature drink for your next gathering!

about this aperol negroni

You may already be familiar with a negroni cocktail, but this is a whole new riff on the drink! An Aperol negroni swaps out bitter Campari for Aperol to give you a totally different flavor profile.

Aperol is sweeter than Campari, making the negroni an even smoother cocktail with a bit of citrus flavor. This is such a fun way to use Aperol in a new way, instead of always making an Aperol Spritz.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with an Aperol Sprtiz, but sometimes you want that Aperol flavor without opening up a bottle of prosecco, you know?

Generally a classic negroni is not for me since Campari is so bitter. So instead, I make this cocktail for a lighter version with a much better flavor.

ingredients

gin. Use a London dry gin for this recipe. We like to use Broker’s London Dry Gin or Hendricks Gin for mid-range gin options.

aperol. Aperol is a bright orange-red Italian aperitif! It’s citrusy, herbal, and bittersweet.

sweet vermouth. Invest in a good quality sweet (red) vermouth! You might not think it matters, but the better the vermouth, the better the cocktail will taste.

orange. You can use either an orange slice or an orange twist to garnish the cocktail. It gives a little orange flavor to the drink.

this recipe’s must-haves

To make this cocktail, we recommend using a mixing glass. You will also need a cocktail stirring spoon and cocktail strainer.

Finally, use your favorite glasses to serve the cocktail in! The ones you see here are from IKEA (I think they are discontinued at this point), but you could also use these Gatsby glasses.

here’s how to make an aperol negroni

stir

Fill a mixing glass halfway with ice. Pour in gin, Aperol, and sweet vermouth. Stir well until chilled.

strain

Strain into a cocktail glass with one large ice cube. Garnish with a fresh slice of orange or an orange twist.

tips for success

use one large ice cube. When you use a big ice cube, it melts a lot slower so the drink doesn’t dilute as fast. No one wants a watered down drink!

pick a bold gin. We recommend using a London dry gin for this recipe to complement the sweetness in the Aperol.

play with your spirit choice! Don’t be afraid to play around with your spirits to create an even more exciting riff. You could use mezcal, white rum, or even bourbon.

More Aperol cocktails to sip on: Aperol Soda | Aperol Sour | Aperol Spritz

should I use sweet vermouth or dry vermouth?

We recommend using sweet (red) vermouth in this cocktail. Dry (white) vermouth is too harsh for the drink and will overpower the other flavors in the recipe.

what is the difference between Campari and Aperol?

The main difference between Campari and Aperol is that Aperol is sweeter than Campari. Visually, the most notable difference is that Campari is dark red and Aperol is a bright orange color. Aperol is more approachable because the flavor is less harsh than Campari. Aperol also has a lower ABV/alcohol content level than Campari, making this cocktail a bit lighter than the classic negroni.

can I make this a negroni sbagliato?

Yes! An Aperol negroni is perfect for making a Negroni Sbagliato. All you need to do is swap out the gin for your favorite Prosecco or other sparkling wine.

can I use Campari instead of Aperol?

Yes, you can use Campari instead! If you use Campari as a substitution, you will have made a classic Negroni cocktail.

Need some inspiration for happy hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with an aperol negroni

Since a Negroni has a strong flavor and there’s a touch of sweetness in Aperol, I like to pair this cocktail with my favorite Italian appetizers, fish, shrimp, and scallops.

Air fryer scallops are super easy to make and can be served as an appetizer or an entree when paired with pasta.

Baked in foil, this Lemon Garlic Salmon is easy to prepare and is full of flavor!

Ready in 20 minutes, roasted lemon garlic shrimp pasta is delicate and citrusy.

Want a simple appetizer to try with this cocktail? Our stuffed dates come in four different flavors!

more classic cocktails to explore

A Jameson old fashioned is an easy cocktail to elevate your average cocktail hour.

A warm Irish coffee is ready in 5 minutes, with the classic combination of coffee and Irish whiskey.

If you love gin, you will love this London mule!

Finally, if you make this aperol negroni recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!