Mezcal Negroni

Negroni & Riffs September 16, 2026

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A photo of the Mezcal Negroni cocktail containing Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Campari Aperitivo, Martini & Rossi Rosso Sweet Vermouth in a Old-Fashioned.

Directions

  • Fill old-fashioned glass with ice
  • Pour all ingredients into glass
  • Stir well
  • Garnish with orange zest twist

Cocktail Description

The Mezcal Negroni takes one of cocktail history's most beloved bitter beauties and gives it a smoky, agave-driven makeover that's both familiar and wildly intriguing.

This riff on the classic Italian aperitivo swaps gin for Del Maguey Vida mezcal, creating a drink where Campari's bitter orange and herbal notes collide with sweet vermouth's richness, all wrapped in mezcal's signature earthy smoke. The result tastes like a campfire built near an Italian piazza—bold, bittersweet, and balanced with a finish that lingers like wood smoke on a cool evening. It's dead simple to make, requiring nothing more than a glass, some ice, and a few good stirs, making it perfect for both first-time bartenders and seasoned home mixologists. This is your go-to cocktail for early evening sipping, especially when you want something that stimulates your appetite before dinner. The drink's bitter backbone and smoky complexity pair beautifully with grilled meats, aged cheeses, charcuterie, or anything with caramelized or charred elements. That orange zest twist isn't just decoration—give it a good squeeze over the glass to release those aromatic oils that tie the whole drink together.

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