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Oaxacan Negroni Recipe

Oaxacan Negroni Recipe

By What’s Baking

A smoky, complex riff on the classic Negroni that marries the earthy depth of mezcal with sweet vermouth and bitter Campari for an unforgettable Mexican twist.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
3 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
A rocks glass filled with a single large ice cube, containing a deep amber-red cocktail that catches the light with ruby highlights. The drink is garnished with an orange peel twisted over the surface, releasing essential oils that float visibly on the cocktail's surface. Shot from a low angle with warm, moody lighting that emphasizes the drink's rich color. The background features blurred mezcal and Campari bottles, suggesting the key ingredients. Droplets of condensation form on the glass, indicating the perfect serving temperature, while wisps of smoke hover above the glass, hinting at the mezcal's distinctive character.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml mezcal (preferably Oaxacan)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml Campari</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica Formula or Cocchi di Torino)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Orange peel for garnish</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Mixing glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Bar spoon</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger for measuring</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Hawthorne strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Rocks glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Large ice cube mold (optional)</li></ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Begin by preparing your glassware. Place a large ice cube or several smaller ice cubes in a rocks glass to chill it while you prepare the cocktail. The pre-chilling ensures your drink stays colder longer.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Fill your mixing glass about ¾ full with fresh, clean ice. Using fresh ice is crucial as old ice can impart off-flavors to your cocktail.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Measure and pour 30ml of mezcal into the mixing glass. Choose a quality Oaxacan mezcal with prominent but not overwhelming smokiness - this forms the backbone of your cocktail.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Add 30ml of Campari to the mixing glass. Campari provides the signature bitterness and vibrant color that defines a Negroni.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Complete the equal-parts formula by adding 30ml of sweet vermouth. The vermouth's herbal sweetness will balance the smokiness of the mezcal and bitterness of Campari.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Using your bar spoon, stir the mixture deliberately for about 30 seconds (approximately 40-50 rotations). Stirring, rather than shaking, creates the silky texture essential to a proper Negroni while achieving the perfect dilution and temperature.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Empty the ice from your chilled rocks glass and place a fresh large ice cube (or several smaller cubes) in the glass. Large ice melts more slowly, preventing over-dilution as you enjoy your cocktail.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Using your Hawthorne strainer, strain the cocktail over the fresh ice in your rocks glass. Pour slowly and steadily to maintain the drink's clarity.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>For the garnish, cut a piece of orange peel about the size of your thumb (avoiding the white pith). Twist the peel over the drink to express the essential oils onto the surface - you should see a fine mist of oils that will add aromatic complexity to the first sip.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Rub the orange peel around the rim of the glass to further enhance the aroma, then place it decoratively in the cocktail. Serve immediately while the drink is perfectly chilled.</li></ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 serving
🔥 Calories: 320 calories
🥑 Fat: 14 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 8 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 45 g
🍭 Sugar: 32 g
🍗 Protein: 3 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 55 mg
🧂 Sodium: 180 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

What's the best mezcal to use for a smoky Negroni variation?

For the perfect smoky Negroni, choose a high-quality Oaxacan mezcal with balanced smokiness – not too overpowering. Espadin varieties offer accessible flavour profiles, while artisanal small-batch mezcals with citrus or mineral notes create more complex cocktails with distinctive character.

Why should you stir rather than shake this mezcal cocktail?

Stirring preserves the silky texture and clarity essential to spirit-forward cocktails like this mezcal Negroni. Shaking would introduce too much dilution and aeration, resulting in a cloudy appearance and potentially masking the delicate balance between the mezcal's smokiness and the bitter-sweet components.

Can I batch this smoky Negroni recipe for a party?

Absolutely! Pre-batch the mezcal, Campari and sweet vermouth in equal parts up to a month ahead. Store in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator. When serving, simply pour over fresh ice and garnish with orange peel twists. The flavours may even meld beautifully during storage.

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