Negroni Sbagliato

This 3-ingredient Negroni Sbagliato is a vibrant, refreshing and bubbly cocktail that’s so easy to make!

You just need sweet vermouth, Campari and sparkling wine and you’re all set.

It’s a little sweet, a little tart and the bubbles make it fun and festive.

This easy Italian cocktail is perfect for the holidays, any party or just to unwind at the end of the day.

Plus I’ll show you how to make one drink or a pitcher for a crowd!

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Negroni Sbagliato vs. a regular Negroni

As you may know, a traditional Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail with Campari (an Italian liqueur), sweet vermouth and gin, served up or on the rocks with an orange garnish.

A Negroni Sbagliato swaps out the gin for fizzy wine like Prosecco. The story goes that a bartender mistakenly used Prosecco instead of gin to make a Negroni. “Sbagliato” translates to “mistaken” or “broken” and thus, the Negroni Sbagliato was born!

The vermouth and bubbles help lighten Campari’s bitterness for a well-balanced, refreshing drink.

This drink is perfect with snacks and appetizers before a meal or even with brunch.

If you find Campari to be too strong/bitter, serve a Negroni Sbagliato on the rocks, adding the Campari first so the ice has time to slightly water down the Campari. Or just use less Campari.

 

Negroni Sbagliato pronunciation

So how do you pronounce “Sbagliato”?

Say it with me: sbah-lee-ah’-toh.

See? You’re now practically an honorary Italian.

What you need to make a Negroni Sbagliato

Ingredients:

• Campari
• Sweet vermouth (typically a red vermouth)
• Prosecco or other bubbly wine
• an orange for garnish (garnishes often seem unnecessary but in this case the oils in the orange peel add to the flavor)
• ice (if you want it on the rocks)

Equipment:

• an old-fashioned/rocks glass or champagne flute
• a small cutting board and small knife for slicing the orange, or a vegetable peeler or citrus zester for peeling the orange (see below)
• a jigger or small measuring cup (I love this 2 oz. measuring cup! It’s perfect for cocktails – I use it way more than I expected)
• a large pitcher if making it for a crowd (minimum 80 oz. capacity)

 

How to make a Negroni Sbagliato for one

Luckily, this classic Campari cocktail could not be easier to make. You don’t even need a cocktail shaker!

If you’re serving it on the rocks, add ice to an old-fashioned or rocks glass.

If you’re serving it in a champagne flute, skip the ice.

Using a jigger or small measuring cup to measure, pour the ingredients into the glass in the following order: Campari, then sweet vermouth, then Prosecco.

If using a rocks glass, cut a 1/4″ slice of orange and then cut that slice in half for a half-moon shape. Add this to the glass, give everything a stir and enjoy!

If using a champagne flute, use a vegetable peeler or citrus zester to peel off a 2-3″ piece of orange peel and drop into the glass for garnish.

 

How to make a pitcher of Negroni Spagliato for a crowd

The easiest method would be to stir together one bottle of Campari, red vermouth (a 750ml bottle to match the other two) and Prosecco to a large pitcher.

Add ice and orange slices to glasses, then pour in the drink.

This would make about 16 drinks.

If your pitcher isn’t large enough, start with half a bottle of each and then refill later if necessary.

If using champagne flutes, skip the ice and add 3-4 whole orange slices to the pitcher.

 

Other cocktails:

1. Limoncello Spritz – a classic Italian cocktail with Prosecco
2. Pomegranate Old-Fashioned – a colorful twist on a classic
3. Carrot Bloody Mary – yet another colorful twist on a classic
4. Frozen Mango Margarita – a refreshing, sunny treat

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