Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add mezcal, sweet vermouth, and Campari to a mixing glass filled with ice
Stir until well chilled, about 30 seconds
Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice
Garnish with an orange peel
Glassware
Served over ice in a rocks glass
Garnish
Express oils and drop in
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Choose a balanced espadín mezcal so smoke doesn't overwhelm
Stir with large, cold ice for proper dilution
Express an orange peel over the top for bright aromatics
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Mezcal Negroni.
White Mezcal Negroni
A modern classic that brilliantly marries the smoky, earthy notes of Mexican mezcal with the floral bitterness of French aperitifs, creating a sophisticated variation on the White Negroni structure.
Mezcal Boulevardier
A modern classic, a smoky and complex variation of the Prohibition-era Boulevardier that swaps bourbon for mezcal.
Mezcal Sbagliato
A smoky evolution of the Negroni Sbagliato, where mezcal's earthy complexity meets the bittersweet effervescence of Campari, sweet vermouth, and prosecco.
Mezcal Coffee Negroni
A modern classic that exemplifies the craft cocktail renaissance, brilliantly fusing the smoky, earthy notes of Mexican mezcal with the rich, roasted bitterness of coffee.
Other Variations
Mezcal-Forward
1.5 oz mezcal with 1 oz each Campari and vermouth.
Changes
Perfect Mezcal Negroni
Split sweet and dry vermouth for a drier cocktail.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Also known as the "Oaxaca Negroni," this modern classic emerged from the craft cocktail renaissance of the mid-2000s. Phil Ward's influential 2007 Oaxaca Old Fashioned at Death & Co. sparked the mezcal movement, and his "Mr. Potato Head" approach to cocktail creation encouraged bartenders to swap gin for mezcal in the classic Negroni template. While no single person invented it, Ward's 2011 blog post documenting the "Mezcal Negroni" helped codify this smoky twist that quickly became a gateway drink for mezcal newcomers.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Mezcal Boulevardier
A modern classic, a smoky and complex variation of the Prohibition-era Boulevardier that swaps bourbon for mezcal.
Mezcal Coffee Negroni
A modern classic that exemplifies the craft cocktail renaissance, brilliantly fusing the smoky, earthy notes of Mexican mezcal with the rich, roasted bitterness of coffee.
Mezcal Sbagliato
A smoky evolution of the Negroni Sbagliato, where mezcal's earthy complexity meets the bittersweet effervescence of Campari, sweet vermouth, and prosecco.