As a Negroni ingredient, the vermouth takes the cocktail on a slightly decadent departure from its classic profile, but it’s a must-try for colder winter months. The third and final consideration is vermouth, which is perhaps the least explored avenue of at-home Negroni experimentation. This vermouth is much like the Negroni itself: lively and full of flavor, though not lacking in nuance. That’s why VinePair took on the task of tasting dozens of Negronis made with vermouths from Italy, Spain, France, and beyond to find the picks of the bunch. The addition of 17 botanicals infuses the fortified wine with pronounced dried fruit and baking spice notes. Local specialty Moscato d’Asti provides the bulk of the base wine, while many of the herbs for its botanical bill are grown in the distillery’s fields in the hills of Asti. Both are wonderful in their own right. Its bold character only adds to the drink’s depth and richness. Average price: $24 (1 liter). The Negroni is a bartender's favorite plaything, with ingredients swapped for everything from mezcal to sherry. That profile rings true when mixed in the cocktail, with attractive floral aromas that lure you into the glass, followed by gripping sips and a lingering bitter finish. Average price: $33. If you’re not sure which brand is for you, we’re here to help. Almost no one specifies types of gin or vermouth, and in a way, it’s not vital — one of the charms of the Negroni is it’s near invincibility. Average price: $26. Lighter New Western Dry gins, like Aviation, serve something more floral and delicate. Mixed in the Negroni, it performs the dual tasks of boosting Campari’s orange pith notes, while allowing the juniper of the gin to shine brighter than any other vermouth manages. For a Silky, Polished Negroni: Cocchi Americano di Torino $20 This dark amber vermouth is a recreation of the recipe originally developed by Cocchi’s founder, Giulio Cocchi, in 1891. It shares the fruity, bitter notes of the aperitif, and the botanical qualities of gin. This vermouth is much like the Negroni itself: lively and full of flavor, though not lacking in nuance. Carpano Antica Formula is a little woodier and vanilla-tasting than, say, Cinzano, but other differences … Rather than competing with its fellow ingredients, the vermouth blends seamlessly into the drink, serving an approachable cocktail with an attractive vanilla note. Simple in composition but complex in character, the Negroni is a popular early stop on just about every drinker’s journey of cocktail discovery. Here are seven of the best vermouths for mixing Negronis, tasted and ranked. Note: Red wine vinegar will discolor a light dish. Average price: $30 (1 liter). ©2020 Group Nine Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sweet vermouth naturally bridges the profiles of Campari and gin. It’s the perfect drink for honing home bartending skills, and an easy formula to remember. Introduce gin and Campari and a velvet, luxurious Negroni awaits. You can swap in other vermouths to replace, say, Cinzano, but you won't find that the flavor changes as drastically as it does with other base spirits or amari. Campari is all but synonymous with the Negroni, but the growing range of bitter, red aperitifs available on U.S. soil is quietly challenging that status quo. This is exactly how a Negroni should taste. The Negroni 1oz gin 1oz Campari 1oz Sweet Vermouth Stir, and serve either on ice or up. Not all sweet vermouths taste the same. France’s Distillerie des Alpes preserves the history of Alpine vermouth production by using traditional native grape varieties and two dozen local botanicals. 1757 is the small-batch premium offering from the Cinzano brand. Average price: $21. Although modern variations of the classic Italian cocktail abound, there’s plenty of scope for experimentation using the traditional formula. Substitute Campari for any of it’s competitors, and it’s going to taste … The depth of its profile and range of aromas and flavors seem custom- designed for mixing Negronis. Its bold character only adds to the drink’s depth and richness. Even with just three ingredients, the Negroni is one of the easiest drinks to screw up. The nose delivers a burst of botanicals, while the palate darts around from cocoa beans to vanilla to roasted nuts. As a general rule, like needs to be replaced with like.