Of all the classic cocktails, the Negroni might be the best. Boozy, straightforward, and smooth, it’s perfect to drink year-round. Made with just three stirred ingredients — equal parts gin, sweet red vermouth, and Campari — it’s easy to put together and fun to play with when you’re looking to experiment with a variation.
And the act of making a Negroni is nothing short of a comforting ritual, akin to brewing that first cup of coffee in the morning and much more satisfying than simply pouring a bottle of rosé after a long day. Getting the Negroni just right — using enough ice, stirring long enough but not too long, perfecting coldness and dilution, twisting a perfect bit of orange peel — might seem simple enough, but requires a bit of practice to perfect. And luckily, the practice is part of the fun.
A good Negroni is neither overly bitter nor sweet, and the mark of a really well-made version is its texture. Avoid something overly diluted and watery and look out for a really smooth mouthfeel. Some will stick to the standard 1:1:1 ratio, while others, like acclaimed New York bar Death & Co.
, will encourage the use of slightly more gin. Some will stick to gin, while others will play with mezcal or even add espresso, teas, chocolate, or bitters. But for when you’re tired of making drinks at home or simply want a cocktail on a rooftop with friends, there are plenty of spots in Los Angeles to try the classic Negroni or a variation thereof.
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