The Negroni is a drink that exudes elegance and confidence—a classic Italian cocktail born in the early 20th century but still found gracing the most modern menus. And when Stanley Tucci took to Instagram to shake up his version during the pandemic, the internet swooned. Today, we’re diving into the history, variations, and the Tucci take on this sophisticated sipper.
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The Birth of the Negroni: An Italian Original
The Negroni was born in Florence around 1919 at Caffè Casoni, when Pascal Olivier Count de Negroni asked his bartender to stiffen his Americano by swapping soda water for gin. The bartender obliged, and the bold, boozy Negroni was born.
This cocktail quickly became a favorite in Italy’s vibrant café culture and eventually a staple of aperitivo hour—the Italian ritual of pre-dinner drinks. Its perfect balance of bitter Campari, sweet vermouth, and strong gin makes it complex yet refreshing.
Culture, Celebrity Fans & Legendary Variations
The Negroni is more than just a drink—it’s a cultural icon. Stanley Tucci’s viral video during lockdown elevated this drink from hipster classic to mainstream fame. His wife filmed the now-famous cocktail lesson, showing Tucci’s charm as he shook—not stirred—the drink in his home kitchen.
Other culinary icons like Anthony Bourdain called the Negroni “the perfect cocktail.” At world-class bars like Bar Termini in London or La Cova in Florence, expert mixologists continue to reinvent and respect the Negroni. Even in cinema, the Negroni often pops up as the drink of choice for elegant, worldly characters.
How to Serve the Negroni Like a Star
Whether you’re entertaining on a warm summer evening or starting a cozy fall dinner party, the Negroni is a showstopper. Serve it in a chilled coupe glass like Tucci, or keep it classic in a rocks glass over ice with an orange twist.
Pair your Negroni with Italian olives, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or even prosciutto-wrapped melon for a refined aperitivo. Hosting a movie night? Stream Big Night starring—you guessed it—Stanley Tucci, and sip on Negronis while imagining your own Italian feast.
Planning a trip to Italy? You can find the Negroni on menus from Rome to Milan, and in seaside bars along the Amalfi Coast, where it pairs perfectly with the view.
Drink Up
Ready to channel your inner Tucci and impress your guests? Shake up a Negroni tonight and let its bitter charm whisk you away to Florence in the 1920s—or a stylish kitchen in London during lockdown. And remember, when in doubt, add a little more gin and a lot more flair.
From award-winning actor and food obsessive Stanley Tucci comes an intimate and charming memoir of life in and out of the kitchen.
Negroni – Stanley Tucci Style
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or shot glass
- Coupe or rocks glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin or vodka, with a float of gin for aroma, per Tucci
- 1 oz Sweet vermouth preferably a high-quality Italian brand
- 1 oz Campari
- Orange slice
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker with a generous amount of ice. Tucci recommends shaking instead of stirring for a crisper texture.
- Add 2 oz of gin to the shaker. Optionally, substitute with vodka and float a splash of gin for aroma.
- Add 1 oz of sweet vermouth. Choose a reputable Italian vermouth like Carpano Antica Formula.
- Add 1 oz of Campari. This provides the signature bitterness and deep red hue.
- Shake well for about 15–20 seconds until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Tucci serves his Negroni “up,” though you can also pour over fresh ice in a rocks glass.
- Squeeze a slice of orange into the drink for citrusy brightness and drop it into the glass.
- Sip and channel your inner Stanley Tucci.
Notes
- For a lighter version, reduce the Campari slightly or add a splash of soda.
- Always use fresh orange—not bottled juice