Thursday Tipples 04 / Sparkling Blood Orange Negroni

sparkling negroni

Happy Thursday afternoon! You made it this far, and I think you deserve a little treat. After a few months hiatus, Thursday Tipples is back and today I’m excited to share a great twist on the Negroni. I only discovered this Italian classic cocktail last year, but I’ve been in love with it ever since. Known as an apéritif, it is meant to stimulate your appetite before dinner.

While the original is quite strong and bitter, this version is a little lighter with some fresh blood orange (in season at the moment) and a spritz of soda. I have also used Aperol which is a little more mild than the traditional Campari, with notes of orange and rhubarb. Delicious!

sparkling negroni

I like this drink because it is not too sweet and somehow manages to be both refreshing and more-ish at the same time. It’s also very easy to prepare with only five ingredients and easy to make in a shaker for two, or a pitcher for a crowd. Simple and delicious? A winning combination in my books.

If you fancy your drinks a little more on the bitter side, use Campari as in the original recipe or experiment with a dash of bitters. Even better, rhubarb or orange bitters would add an incredible depth of flavour, so get creative!

I think it is the perfect tipple for an apéritif, and best shared with friends no matter what the occasion you’re planning – from a dinner party with the girls to a sunset wedding!

sparkling negroni

Sparkling Blood Orange Negroni
Serves 2-3 (easily scaled up)

  • 60ml Aperol
  • 60ml sweet (rosso) Vermouth
  • 80ml Gin (I used Tanqueray)
  • 1 blood orange
  • Soda, to top up

Add the Aperol, vermouth and gin to a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Squeeze in the juice of half a blood orange and shake. Strain into ice-filled glasses, top up with soda, garnish with blood orange wedge and serve.

If you’re making a jug, combine the alcohol in the jug, refrigerate until needed, then add juice, ice, soda and garnish just before serving.

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