White Negroni
The White Negroni is an elegant and complex cocktail that offers a different perspective on the beloved Negroni formula. It swaps the deep, bitter orange notes of Campari for the earthy, floral bitterness of Suze, and the rich sweet vermouth for the lighter, honeyed, and citrusy Lillet Blanc. The result is a beautifully balanced drink that is both sophisticated and refreshing, with a distinct herbal character and a lingering bittersweet finish.
Preparation
Preparation time: 3 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The White Negroni is a modern classic cocktail, often enjoyed as an aperitif before a meal due to its bittersweet flavor profile. It is a popular variation of the traditional Negroni and has secured its place in the canon of contemporary cocktails.
Serving
This is a short, cold, and spirit-forward cocktail served in a rocks glass over a large ice cube to minimize dilution. It has a significant alcohol content, typical for a stirred, all-spirit drink.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml or 4 oz after dilution
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-28% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks glass or Old Fashioned glass
Glass treatment
Chilled glass
Backstory
This modern classic was created in 2001 by British bartender Wayne Collins. He developed the drink for a cocktail event in Bordeaux, France, when he sought to create a Negroni variation using only French ingredients. He substituted the Italian Campari and vermouth with their local counterparts, Suze and Lillet Blanc, giving birth to this now-iconic cocktail.
Origin
Bordeaux, France, 2001
White Negroni
The drink is most commonly known as the White Negroni. It is sometimes referred to as Negroni Bianco, which translates to "White Negroni" in Italian, highlighting its lighter color compared to the classic red Negroni.
Original name
White Negroni
Alternative name
Negroni Bianco
Characteristics overview
The White Negroni boasts a complex, bittersweet flavor with strong herbal and floral notes from the Suze and Lillet Blanc. It has a smooth, clean texture and a lasting bitter finish, with a beautiful pale yellow appearance.
Flavor
Bittersweet, herbal, floral, citrusy, gentian, botanical
Aroma
Botanical, citrus, herbal, wine-like, floral
Taste balance
Bitter, sweet
Aftertaste
Long, bittersweet, herbal, clean
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale yellow, straw-colored, clear
Texture
Smooth, slightly viscous, medium-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, all-season, particularly Spring and Summer
Flavor intensity & Experience
This is a flavor-intense cocktail where bitterness is prominent but exquisitely balanced by the botanical strength of gin and the gentle sweetness and fruitiness of Lillet Blanc. It's a strong, non-carbonated drink for a sophisticated palate.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This cocktail requires three key ingredients in equal parts: a good quality London Dry Gin, the French aperitif Lillet Blanc, and the distinctive French gentian liqueur, Suze.
- London Dry Gin30 ml or 1 ozA classic London Dry with prominent juniper notes works best to stand up to the other ingredients.
- Lillet Blanc30 ml or 1 ozA French aromatized wine that provides sweetness, citrus, and floral notes.
- Suze30 ml or 1 ozA French gentian liqueur that provides the characteristic bittersweet and earthy flavor.
Ice type
- Cubed ice for stirring and a large cube or sphere for serving.
Mixing equipments
You will need standard bar tools for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass, a jigger for measuring, a long bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer to pour the chilled liquid into the serving glass.
- Mixing glass for combining and chilling the ingredients.
- Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pours.
- Bar spoon for stirring the cocktail.
- Julep or Hawthorne strainer to strain the drink from the ice.
Instructions
The preparation is straightforward: combine all liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir until chilled, and then strain into a rocks glass containing a large ice cube. Finish by garnishing with a citrus twist.
1. Place a large ice cube or sphere in a rocks glass to chill it.
2. Add the gin, Lillet Blanc, and Suze to a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass three-quarters full with cubed ice.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds until the outside of the mixing glass is frosty and well-chilled.
5. Strain the cocktail into the prepared rocks glass over the large ice cube.
6. Take a swath of lemon or grapefruit peel and express the oils over the surface of the drink by pinching it with the peel side facing the glass.
7. Drop the twist into the glass as a garnish and serve immediately.
Garnishing
A simple citrus twist is the perfect garnish. A lemon or grapefruit twist complements the drink's flavor profile, adding bright aromatic oils to the nose of the cocktail.
- Lemon or Grapefruit Twist - Express the oils over the drink's surface and drop it in.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. As it contains only spirits and fortified wine, it is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and sugar content in the Lillet Blanc and Suze. Carbohydrate and sugar levels are relatively low for a cocktail.
Calories
Averagely 180-200 kcal or 750-840 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 8 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8 grams
Sugar level
Occasions
Perfect as a pre-dinner drink (aperitif) to stimulate the appetite, the White Negroni is also an excellent choice for a sophisticated cocktail hour or any social event where a flavorful, spirit-forward drink is desired.
- Aperitif
- Cocktail Hour
- Social Gathering
Pairing suggestions
The bittersweet and herbal notes of the White Negroni pair wonderfully with salty and savory appetizers (aperitivo). It's excellent with a board of charcuterie, a selection of hard cheeses, or a simple bowl of high-quality olives.
- Salty olives
- Cured meats like prosciutto or salami
- Hard, nutty cheeses like Parmesan or aged Comté
The White Negroni: A Modern Classic's Elegant Twist
The White Negroni is a sophisticated and delicious modern classic created in 2001. By substituting the traditional ingredients with French alternatives—Suze and Lillet Blanc—it achieves a unique profile that is lighter in color but just as complex in flavor. It is an assertive, bittersweet aperitif with beautiful herbal and floral notes, perfect for those who appreciate a well-crafted, spirit-forward cocktail. Easy to make and stunning to behold, it has earned its place as a staple in bars around the world.