Powerful, bold and bitter, the classic Negroni cocktail is iconic and is enjoyed all over the world.
First created in Italy in 1919, the history of the Negroni spans over 100 years and has always remained an incredibly popular drink. These days, it’s actually one of the most ordered cocktails in bars and the quintessential summer drink that’s perfect to enjoy before a delicious meal.
With its simple mix of just three ingredients, Campari, vermouth and gin, the Negroni is loved for its distinctive flavour. Many have also taken it into their own hands to interpret, swapping out the ingredients for others or adding something a little extra to create brand new cocktails, such as the White Negroni and the Negroni Sbagliato.
For those who are going alcohol-free, whether it’s for health or personal reasons, and still want to experience the wonders of the Negroni, we’ve created this recipe for a non-alcoholic Negroni that’s just as delicious as the original.
Non-alcoholic Negroni Recipe
As far as mocktails go, the non-alcoholic Negroni is one of the more challenging ones to make at home. This is mainly because Campari plays a big role in the overall flavour profile, and so using other ingredients to replicate the flavour can be a bit of trial and error until you get it just right.
Luckily, we’re here to make life as easy as possible for you and have already done the hard work so you can enjoy this flavourful non-alcoholic Negroni with a wonderful balance of botanicals, aromatics and spice. Or, if you want it even easier, we’ve also created a Silver Medal Virgin Bitters mocktail, which delivers a deliciously spicy and fruity blend.
Ingredients:
- 25ml white grape juice
- 2 orange slices
- 1/2 grapefruit
- 125g caster sugar
- 3 lightly crushed cardamom pods
- Coriander seeds
- Red food colouring (optional - or try blood orange juice)
- Ice
Equipment:
- Saucepan
- Measuring jug
- Wooden spoon
- Strainer
- Low ball glass
Method:
- Take the grapefruit and chop it into small chunks.
- Add the grapefruit to a saucepan along with 1 orange slice, 125g caster sugar, 125ml of water, crushed cardamom pods and coriander seeds.
- Heat the syrup mixture until simmering for about 5 minutes.
- With a wooden spoon, use the back to crush the fruit pieces in the saucepan to gently release the juices.
- When the fruit has softened, and the white pith of the orange slice has faded, take it off the heat and leave it to cool.
- At this point, you can add a few drops of red food colouring, or natural alternatives such as juice from a Blood Orange to the mixture to replicate the vibrant colour of the Negroni.
- After the syrup mixture has cooled, strain it and remove the visible spices and fruit pieces.
- Fill a low ball glass with ice and pour in 25ml of the syrup mixture, 25ml of white grape juice and 25ml of cold water - so the mocktail is still just as perfectly balanced as the cocktail.
- Stir the drink gently.
- Garnish the glass with a slice of orange.
Top Recipe Tips
Use the Right Type of Ice
Ice really can make all the difference when it comes to cocktails. By using the right type of ice, you’ll be able to enhance your overall cocktail experience and make the flavours of the drink come to life even more. The biggest appeal of the Negroni is its strong flavour, so you don’t want to use standard ice cubes that will melt quickly and dilute the drink too much. Instead, use either a large square ice cube or an ice ball to chill your drink without losing the intense flavours as quickly.
Don’t Shake the Mocktail
While many drinks require a shake, doing this to a Negroni mocktail will ruin your drink as the flavours won’t meld as well. Shaking the mocktail over ice will also dilute the drink and, again, diminish the much-loved strength of the Negroni. Use a spoon, or a cocktail stirrer, to stir the ingredients together lightly for a smooth blend.
Include Some Salty Snacks
As the non-alcoholic Negroni is so bold, intensely-flavoured foods are needed to help balance out the bitterness. We suggest serving up some salty snacks such as salted popcorn, nuts, olives, crisps, prosciutto or salami - a charcuterie plate is ideal. A variety of strong cheeses to accompany any meats, or a tomato bruschetta as a vegetarian alternative will also go down well.
Take a look at the other non-alcoholic pre-mixed cocktails we have to offer that can be delivered straight through your letterbox for you to enjoy at home.