St. Germain Negroni Recipe · i am a food blog (2024)

I’m not a hugely serious co*cktail person. By this I mean, when I order a drink and the bartender asks me which brand I want, I usually reply with a blank, open mouthed look. I know a bit about co*cktails from Mike and also because I’m obsessed with co*cktail paraphernalia – so many pretty shakers and strainers and stirring spoons – but when it comes to particular liquor brands, I’m pretty chill. Except, I have a love-love relationship with St. Germain.

St. Germain Negroni Recipe · i am a food blog (1)

St. Germain, if you haven’t had it, is a delicious elderflower liqueur. This isn’t a sponsored post by the way, I just love the sh*t out of St. Germain and want to spread the love. Not only does St. Germain have a lovely, sweet and undeniably unique flavor, they also have an awesome backstory. It’s very rare that a liqueur makes it as one of the big players in the alcohol world, but that’s just what St. Germain did. It was invented by Robert Cooper, of Cooper Spirits, an independent, family owned spirits company. Robert wanted to bring elderflower liqueur to America, after discovering it in bars in London. He dad wasn’t too keen on the idea but he forged ahead and in 2007 launched St. Germain. With its very pretty art deco bottle and universally complimentary flavor, it quickly became a bartenders’ favorite.

It’s lightly sweet and reminds me of lychee, or pears, maybe. They handpick wild elderflowers fresh in France in late spring and then use an age-old French technique to create the liqueur. It is by far, my favorite brand, not just because of taste, but because it’s at a very quaffable 20% alcohol level. That means I can drink more!

St. Germain Negroni Recipe · i am a food blog (2)

Anyway, considering that it’s “Negroni Week” – seriously who comes up with this stuff?! – Mike and I came up with a St. Germain negroni. Essentially, it’s a classic negroni with St. Germain standing in for the gin. It’s quite a bit lighter than a classic negroni, quite a bit sweeter, and in my books, definitely more drinkable. The bitterness of the Campari pairs well with the sweetness of the St. Germain and the vermouth ties everything together. A perfect summer drink!

As an aside, I couldn’t not write something about theineffable Anthony Bourdain. I was shocked to hear the news on Friday. Shocked, and then deeply, deeply sad. I admire so much about him: his passion, the way he utterly changed the food world, his wry humor, and his gravelly voice that made so many articulate, insightful comments on food, human nature, and the world in general. He was a solid guy and now that he’s gone, it makes me wonder – if he didn’t have it figured out, what hope do the rest of us have? Cheers to you Chef Bourdain. Rest in peace. I hope you’re somewhere with endless seafood towers.

St. Germain Negroni Recipe · i am a food blog (3)

St. Germain Negroni Recipe
makes 1 drink


  • 1 oz St. Germain
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz sweet red vermouth
  • lychee, for garnish, if desired

Add the St. Germain, Campari, and vermouth into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice (a large cube is preferred). Garnish with lychee or orange peel, if desired.

8 Comments

  1. Kevin says:

    June 11, 2018 at 8:30 am

    A comment not so much about the Negroni, but about Anthony Bourdain. Because of the No Reservations “Brittany” episode, I specifically reoriented my travel plans from the south to the north of France. I went to Chez Jacky, I ate the seafood tower, and (life-changing event) I visited Anne de Belon for oysters. I am not often effected by such passings, yet his has effected me deeply.

    Reply

  2. Karen says:

    June 14, 2018 at 6:07 am

    Negroni – hell yes. Your co*cktail is nudging me to explore the scented world of St. Germain – I don’t go in much for flowery cordials, but just thinking about how it could play nicely with the bitter edges of Campari. A foraging friend just gathered some elderflower blossoms for a syrup – that could be a good place to start!

    Reply

    1. Stephanie says:

      ooh homemade elderflower syrup would be so delicious!!

      Reply

  3. Anonymous says:

    May 23, 2020 at 7:49 am

    If you are going to make the French(ie) Negroni.. Try the recipy from St-Germain itself:

    Take a (chiller) Tumbler glass.

    20 ml Oxley Gin (Bombay Sapphire is a good substitute)
    20 ml St-Germain Elderflower Liquor
    20 ml Martini Riserva Speciale Bitter
    20 ml Martini Riserva Speciale Rubino

    Pour ingredients over ice cubes (3/4th of the glass). Stir for 10-15 seconds.

    Garnish with peel/wheel of Orange.

    Reply

  4. Andraz says:

    September 22, 2020 at 12:35 am

    Need to try it! I’m not good with making co*cktails but it looks so tempting that I need to try it.

    Reply

  5. Cam says:

    March 17, 2021 at 5:46 am

    Love St Germaine. Love the Negroni.. usually do the Stanley Tucci Riff.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

St. Germain Negroni Recipe · i am a food blog (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a Nobu Negroni? ›

Go to Nobu and try it yourself… and then come home and make it behind the bar. We've got the recipe, below! Stir 1 oz Hendrick's Gin, 1 oz Aperol, 1 oz Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, and a splash of Onigoroishi Sake in a mixing glass, with ice. Pour into a rocks glass over an artisanal ice cube.

What food pairs best with Negroni? ›

A well-curated charcuterie and cheese board is an ideal partner for the Negroni. The co*cktail's bitterness cuts through the richness of the cured meats and cheeses, while its herbal notes complement the board's various flavours.

Is a Negroni a sophisticated drink? ›

It's sophisticated. It packs a punch. And it has a fabulous and controversial history. And now you can enjoy it anytime, anywhere in the tradition of Antico Negroni, with Curatif.

Is Negroni better with Aperol or Campari? ›

Aperol is less bitter than Campari and has a sweeter and fruitier flavor, meaning this co*cktail will have a subtle sweetness to it. Campari has noticeably bitter and herbal flavors by comparison. These notes are good to keep in mind when deciding which variation of a Negroni you prefer mixing.

What is a Negroni drinker personality? ›

Dating back to the early 1900's the drink was thought of as being a balance of both the good (bitters) and bad (gin) things in life. Some may say Negroni drinkers live life on the edge a little. If that's you, it means you're a practical thinker and a good listener, yet creative in your decisions.

What was Andrew Bourdain's favorite co*cktail? ›

You might assume that his favorite co*cktail would be one of the unique libations he tried abroad, but truthfully, as he told Barron's in an interview in 2016, Bourdain was a self-described "classic co*cktail guy." His drink of choice was a Negroni.

What is stronger Negroni or Old Fashioned? ›

Old-Fashioned — (38.09%, 2.44oz in volume, 0.93oz alcohol) Bloody Mary — (12%, 7.5oz in volume, 0.9oz alcohol) Negroni — (20.13%, 4oz in volume, 0.81oz alcohol)

What time of day should I drink Negroni? ›

A Negroni is just as delicious at any other time of the year too, of course. But if you are looking for a certain time of day to drink a Negroni, we would suggest mixing one up before your dinner. That is because the Negroni is known as an aperitif (French) or aperitivo (Italian) co*cktail.

What vermouth is good for Negroni? ›

However, the perfect Negroni should only ever be made on a red, sweet, Italian-style vermouth, preferably with some 'weight' to it and enough spice to hold up against the Campari. We recommend small batch vermouths such as Cinzano 1757 or Cinzano Rosso.

Is Negroni good for stomach? ›

The Italian word for “bitter” is amaro, and such bitter herbal liqueurs, like nocino, Cynar (artichoke-based) and Fernet Branca are thought to help with everything from aiding digestion to acting as a cure for flatulence, cramps, colic and even cholera.

What does Negroni mean in Italian? ›

Etymology. Borrowed from Italian negroni, from surname Italian Negroni, from Italian negri (“black”) + Italian -oni (“(ablative) from, of”). The origin of the drink's name is disputed, most often attributed to being named after Count Camillo Negroni (1868–1934), who asked for an early form of this co*cktail.

Why is everyone ordering Negronis? ›

Today, the co*cktail has gained popularity thanks to all kinds of bartenders who recommend it, as well as viral videos where influencers or actors such as Stanley Tucci can be seen preparing it, and because the quality of its ingredients has improved.

Do bartenders like Negronis? ›

Bartenders have mixed feelings about Negronis.

Negronis are a classic co*cktail of equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth that are often served over ice and garnished with a fresh orange peel. Although the Negroni is a traditional co*cktail, some bartenders have mixed feelings about it.

How do you drink Bottega Negroni? ›

Serving Temperature: 8 °C Serving Suggestions: It is a ready to drink co*cktail, best enjoyed on the rocks and with an orange peel. Excellent with savoury snacks, large green olives, whole canapés with duck breast, cured ham or salmon, and also goes perfectly with cheeses such as parmigiano and pecorino.

Does phony Negroni taste like a real Negroni? ›

The nuanced flavors of juniper and citrus were even more alive when not overpowered by alcohol. It possessed the same beloved bittersweetness of a negroni but with a touch of added carbonation.

How do you make a Negroni taste better? ›

To make the perfect Negroni, it is recommended to use a sweet (red) vermouth like Carpano Antica Formula or Punt e Mes. A sweet vermouth adds a touch of sweetness to balance out the bitterness of the Campari.

What does a Negroni co*cktail contain? ›

Ingredients
  • 1 ounce gin.
  • 1 ounce Campari.
  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth.
  • Garnish: orange peel.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 5823

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.