How To Make A Rosé Negroni

Imagine if a classic Negroni went on vacation, hiked a few mountains, and watched a sunset on the beach while calmly reevaluating how bitter it used to be. After this moment of transformation, it would become a Rosé Negroni. This drink isn’t as heavy as a standard Negroni, but it still has a touch of Campari, and it’s just as strong as anything else you’ll drink today. Think of it as a summery Negroni that happens to be pink, and feel free to make one for someone who doesn’t typically like Negronis. This is a crowd-pleaser.

Rosé Negroni

You’ll Need:

• Ice

• Rocks glass

• 1.25 ounces gin

• .75 ounce Lillet

• .5 ounce grapefruit juice

• .5 ounce Campari

• Grapefruit twist

Step One: Grapefruit Juice

Juice in a Negroni might seem sacrilegious - and, sure, maybe it is. But right now you need to take a deep breath, and let go of cocktail-related hangups. It’s fun to break rules, and with that in mind, we’re going to need you to add .5 ounce grapefruit juice (preferably fresh-squeezed) to a mixing glass.

Step Two: Campari

All the Negroni purists out there will be pleased to know that the next ingredient is Campari. You need this to add some bitterness and a bit of bite (just like in a classic Negroni), and you should now pour .5 ounce into your mixing glass.

Step Three: Lillet

This Rose Negroni needs something slightly sweet to help balance the Campari and grapefruit juice. The answer is Lillet, a French aperitif you can find at most liquor stores. Put .75 ounce in your mixing glass.

Step Four: Gin

Finally, there’s gin, which is what makes Negronis somewhat hazardous to drink in quick succession. A Negroni should be strong, and in order to achieve this, you need to add 1.25 ounces gin to your mixing glass.

Step Five: Stir

Add around 5 or 6 ice cubes to your mixing glass and stir everything for around 20 seconds. After, strain your Rose Negroni into a rocks glass filled to the rim with ice, and garnish with a grapefruit twist. And, no, that last part isn’t optional. That grapefruit twist is going to add another element of citrusy flavor, as well as just a hint of extra bitterness to help balance the Lillet. Squeeze it over your glass, and drop it right in.