The Negroni Sbagliato Is The Happy Accident You Didn't Know You Needed

The Negroni Sbagliato Is The Happy Accident You Didn't Know You Needed

Everything You Need to Know About the Negroni Sbagliato

The Negroni Sbagliato is an accidental masterpiece born from a brilliant mistake. 'Sbagliato' means 'mistaken' or 'broken' in Italian, and this lighter, sparkling take on the classic Negroni emerged when a bartender at Bar Basso in Milan erroneously grabbed a bottle of Prosecco instead of gin. It's also a descendent of the Americano, with its mix of Campari and sweet vermouth. The result is a vibrant, bitter-sweet, and wonderfully refreshing aperitivo, perfect for warm evenings or pre-dinner enjoyment.

Negroni Sbagliato

Prep Time3 min
Yield1 Cocktail
Base SpiritCampari, Vermouth, Prosecco

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 3 oz Chilled Prosecco, or other Sparkling White Wine
  • Orange Slice, for garnish
The Negroni Sbagliato Is The Happy Accident You Didn't Know You Needed

Instructions

  1. Fill an Old Fashioned glass with a large ice cube or several regular cubes.
  2. Pour in the Campari and sweet vermouth.
  3. Top generously with chilled Prosecco.
  4. Gently stir once or twice to combine the ingredients.
  5. Garnish with an orange slice.
Pro Tip
The key to a perfect Sbagliato is using well-chilled Prosecco and stirring gently to maintain its effervescence. The large ice cube helps keep the drink colder longer without over-diluting.

Negroni Sbagliato Riff

Elevate your Sbagliato by exploring different types of vermouth – a more herbaceous or fruit-forward sweet vermouth can subtly change the profile. You can also try swapping out Campari for another amaro like Aperol for a slightly mellower version.