Name: Negroni Sbagliato
Prep time: 2 min
Total time: 2 min
Cuisine: Cocktails
Ingredients: 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) sweet or semi-sweet red vermouth; 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Campari; 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Prosecco, champagne or other sparkling wine; Ice, for serving (try clear ice!); For the garnish: Orange peel

The Negroni sbagliato is a spin on the classic cocktail using sparkling wine instead of gin. It’s bitter, sweet, and bubbly all at once: an improvement on the original!

If you love a Negroni, you’ll love this cocktail. And if you don’t love a Negroni…you’ll love it too! Meet the Negroni sbagliato, a “mixed up” version of the classic cocktail using sparkling wine instead of gin. The lightly sweet Prosecco against the bitter Campari and sweet vermouth makes for a better balanced flavor than with gin. Personally I prefer Negroni spin-offs to the real thing: and this one’s my favorite. (Who can’t resist a little bubbly!)

What’s a Negroni sbagliato?

The Negroni sbagliato is a spin-off on the classic Negroni, a 1920’s Italian coc k tail that’s equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. The sbagliato version, “mistaken” or “incorrect” in Italian, trades sparkling wine for the gin. It’s a modern spin and was invented in the 1980’s in Milan!

The drink’s lore says that the owner of a bar called Bar Basso was making a Negroni, and mistakenly reached for a bottle of Prosecco instead of gin. You can still get a Negroni sbagliato at Bar Basso if you’re ever in Milan (life goals). Here’s what’s in a Negroni sbagliato:

Campari
Sweet vermouth
Sparkling wine: Prosecco, champagne, or another variety

How do you pronounce sbagliato? It’s pronounced spal-yacht-oh. (One more time with an Italian accent, please!)

How to make a Negroni sbagliato (basic steps)

The Negroni sbagliato is one of the easiest cocktails out there! It’s equal parts of the all the ingredients: 1 ounce or 2 tablespoons. You don’t even need a cocktail shaker: just mix right in the glass. Here’s what to do (or go to the recipe below):

Mix. Add the Campari and sweet vermouth to a lowball glass. Add ice.
Pour in sparkling wine. Add the Prosecco and serve!

How to make a Negroni sbagliato (basic steps)

The Negroni is so easy to make and memorize: use just 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of each of the elements above. You don’t even need a cocktail shaker. Simply stir it together in a cocktail mixing glass, or any glass you have on hand. Here are the basic steps to make it (or go to the recipe below):

Mix. Add the ingredients to a mixing glass with 1 handful of ice and stir for 30 seconds. This chills the cocktail and dilutes it less than shaking in a cocktail shaker would.
Strain and serve. Strain into a lowball or Old Fashioned glass filled with ice.

More on Campari

Campari is what makes a Negroni and an Americano. But what is it? Campari is an Italian bitter with a bright red jewel-toned color. It tastes bitter, fruity, and spicy all at once. It’s is infused with different herbs and fruits (part of a secret recipe). Because it’s so bitter, it can be an acquired taste. Either you love it or you hate it! If you do love it, there are lots more Campari cocktails to try…keep reading!

Want a unique Campari cocktail? Try the Jungle Bird, a tropical rum drink, or the Garibaldi, an Italian cocktail with Campari and orange.

About vermouth

Vermouth is a fortified wine, meaning liquor has been added to the wine. There are two main types of vermouth: sweet (usually red) and dry (usually white). Sweet vermouth is subtly sweet and spicy, with a hit of bitter on the back end.

Sweet vermouth is used in many classic cocktails: most famously the Manhattan, Martinez, and the Negroni. Dry white vermouth is totally different; it’s used in martinis, like the Classic Martini, Dirty Martini and Cucumber Martini. Whatever vermouth you have on hand, make sure to store it in the refrigerator; it will stay good for up to 3 months.

More Negroni variations!

There are lots of variations on the Negroni; most of which we think make it taste better! Here are the top best ways to vary up your Negroni:

Make a Boulevardier: A Negroni with whiskey! Campari, sweet vermouth, and whiskey.
Make an Old Pal: A cleaner, drier Negroni! Campari, dry vemouth, and whiskey.
Make a Mezcal Negroni: A smoky Negroni! Campari, sweet vermouth, and mezcal.
Make a White Negroni: The bright yellow color and light floral flavor come from Lillet Blanc and Suze.

When to serve a Negroni sbagliato

The Negroni sbagliato cocktail is sophisticated and bubbly! It’s perfect for serving anytime, but great for summer and celebrations. Serve it as a:

Happy hour drink
Dinner party drink
Summer drink
Before dinner drink
Late night drinks drink
Guys or girls night drink
Cocktail hour drink