Negroni Sour

Why This Recipe Works

Balanced flavors – It’s a very balanced cocktail by adding a sour element to the beloved bittersweet classic Negroni flavor. 

Easy – It’s a very simple and easy cocktail. – it only takes a few minutes to make and the ingredients can be found in any liquor or grocery store. 

Aesthetic, yet simple – It is stunningly beautiful. This is the kind of cocktail make you feel boujee and extra with very minimal effort.

Ingredient Notes

• Campari – This is a bittersweet orange, herbal Italian aperitif. Apertifs are generally drunk before a meal to help stimulate the appetite. 

• Gin – Use your favorite gin in this cocktail – I typically use Bombay Sapphire or a gin from a local distillery. 

• Sweet vermouth – Carpano Antica is my current favorite sweet vermouth. 

• Lemon juice – Fresh lemon juice will definitely taste best in this cocktail. 

• Simple syrup – This can be bought or homemade. Homemade is very easy and a lot more economical. See below for how to make it in the microwave.

• Egg white – I recommend using pasteurized egg whites from a carton. If you’re not a fan of egg whites in cocktails, you can use 2-3 tablespoons of aquafaba (liquid in cans of chickpeas) as a substitute for 1 egg white. 

• Garnishes – I love the look of the dried orange slice, but a fresh orange slice would be beautiful as well. Both provide a delicious aroma with each sip. 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth to an empty cocktail shaker. 

Step 2: Add the lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. 

Step 3: Shake the cocktail shaker well. (Without ice, this is called a “dry” shake.)

Step 4: Add ice to the shaker.

Step 5: Shake again until well chilled. 

Step 6: Using a cocktail strainer over the mixing glass, strain into a cocktail glass – I used this coupe glass.

Step 7: Garnish with an orange slice (dried or fresh), optional.

Tips and FAQ

Why do you “dry shake” egg white cocktails?

Dry shaking refers to shaking an egg white cocktail without ice. After, the cocktail is then shaken again with ice. This allows for the frothy egg whites to foam more and get extra fluffy.

Do I have to use an egg white?

It’s your cocktail, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to do you. HOWEVER, I do believe that the egg white is essential and that you would be missing out by eliminating it. 

I always go with a pasteurized egg white from a carton to make sure that foodborne illness is avoided. For a vegan option, swap 1 egg white for 2-3 tablespoons of aquafaba (the liquid in canned chickpeas). 

What does a negroni taste like and how is it different from Negroni Sour?

A Negroni cocktail is a bitter, but slightly sweet, aperitif cocktail. A Negroni Sour takes those flavors from the original and increases the sweetness slightly and adds a pop of sour flavor with a silky smooth texture to further balance out the original Negroni flavors.