Coffee Negroni

The Coffee Negroni enhances the iconic bittersweet profile of the original with a deep, roasted complexity. The addition of coffee, either through an infusion or a liqueur, marries beautifully with the herbal notes of Campari and the botanical sweetness of vermouth. This creates a wonderfully balanced and sophisticated cocktail that is both familiar and excitingly new, perfect for an evening aperitif or a digestif.
Coffee Negroni

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Coffee Negroni is a modern classic cocktail, typically enjoyed as an aperitif before a meal. Its bittersweet profile stimulates the palate, fitting perfectly into the pre-dinner drink category. It is a direct and popular variation of the classic Negroni.

Serving

The Coffee Negroni is served cold in a rocks or Old Fashioned glass over a large ice cube to minimize dilution. It is a spirit-forward cocktail with a significant alcohol content.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml (4 oz) after dilution
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-28% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks Glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The Coffee Negroni is a modern variation that emerged from the craft cocktail revival of the 2010s. While no single creator is universally credited, it grew organically as bartenders experimented with coffee infusions and liqueurs to add new dimensions to classic recipes. Its popularity soared as coffee culture and cocktail culture continued to intertwine, making it a staple on many contemporary bar menus.
Origin
The drink is a modern creation without a single point of origin, but it gained popularity in craft cocktail bars across the United States and Europe during the 2010s.

Coffee Negroni

The drink is most commonly known as the Coffee Negroni. Occasionally, it is referred to by its Italian name, Caffè Negroni, which directly translates to the same meaning.
Original name
Coffee Negroni
Alternative name
Caffè Negroni

Characteristics overview

This drink presents a rich, deep brown color with aromas of coffee and citrus. The flavor is a complex interplay of bittersweet orange, herbal notes, and roasted coffee, leading to a long, warming finish.
Flavor
Coffee, Bittersweet, Herbal, Orange, Dark Chocolate, Roasted
Aroma
Coffee, Juniper, Citrus, Botanical, Herbal
Taste balance
Bitter, Sweet
Aftertaste
Long, Bittersweet, Coffee, Warming
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Deep Reddish-Brown, Clear, Rich
Texture
Smooth, Rich, Slightly Viscous
Seasonality
All-Season, Warming

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is intense and complex, dominated by a strong bitterness and moderate sweetness. It has a high alcohol strength and is rich with roasted, fruity, and herbal notes, but is not sour, salty, or creamy.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires four key liquid ingredients: Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, and a quality Coffee Liqueur. All components are essential for achieving the signature bittersweet and roasted flavor profile.
  • Gin30 ml / 1 oz
    A London Dry Gin with strong juniper notes works well to cut through the other bold flavors.
  • Campari30 ml / 1 oz
    The essential bitter component of a Negroni.
  • Sweet Vermouth30 ml / 1 oz
    A quality Italian-style sweet vermouth like Carpano Antica or Cocchi di Torino is recommended.
  • Coffee Liqueur7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
    A high-quality coffee liqueur is crucial. Some may prefer to substitute this with a splash of cold brew concentrate.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for stirring and a large cube or sphere for serving.

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar equipment for a stirred cocktail, including a mixing glass, a jigger for measuring, a bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer.
  • Mixing Glass: For combining and chilling the ingredients.
  • Bar Spoon: For stirring the cocktail.
  • Jigger: For accurate measurement of liquids.
  • Hawthorne or Julep Strainer: For straining the drink into the serving glass.

Instructions

To prepare, combine all liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir until chilled, and then strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. The final touch is to express the oils from an orange peel over the drink for aroma.
1. Add the gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, and coffee liqueur to a mixing glass.
2. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes.
3. Stir with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
4. Place a large ice cube or sphere into a chilled rocks glass.
5. Strain the contents of the mixing glass into the rocks glass over the fresh ice.
6. Take a fresh orange peel, hold it over the glass with the orange side facing the drink, and squeeze to express the citrus oils onto the surface.
7. Rub the rim of the glass with the peel and then drop it into the drink as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple orange peel is the classic garnish, as its citrus oils complement both the Negroni's and the coffee's flavor profiles beautifully.
  • Orange Peel: Express the oils from a fresh orange peel over the drink before dropping it in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail contains caffeine from the coffee liqueur. It is typically dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, and gluten-free, but it's always wise to check the specific labels of the vermouth and liqueur used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a moderately caloric cocktail, with its energy coming primarily from the alcohol and the sugar content in the vermouth and liqueurs. It contains around 210 calories and 14 grams of sugar per serving.
Calories
Averagely 210 kcal / 879 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 14g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14g
Sugar level

Occasions

This versatile cocktail is ideal for stimulating the appetite during aperitivo hour or as a rich digestif after a meal. Its sophisticated character also makes it an excellent choice for cocktail parties and social gatherings.
  • Aperitivo Hour
  • After-Dinner Drink
  • Cocktail Party
  • Sophisticated Social Gathering

Pairing suggestions

The bittersweet and roasted notes of the Coffee Negroni pair wonderfully with rich and savory foods. It is excellent alongside a charcuterie or cheese board. For a dessert pairing, dark chocolate or a simple biscotti make for a perfect accompaniment.
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Charcuterie Boards
  • Hard Cheeses (like Parmesan or aged cheddar)
  • Biscotti

The Coffee Negroni: A Modern Classic Awakens

The Coffee Negroni is a sophisticated and modern take on a beloved classic. By introducing the rich, aromatic depth of coffee, it transforms the familiar bittersweet profile into something deeper and more complex. It's a perfectly balanced, spirit-forward cocktail that serves beautifully as both a palate-awakening aperitif and a satisfying digestif. Easy to make yet impressive in flavor, it has rightfully earned its place in the modern cocktail canon.