Classic Negroni Sbagliato Cocktail

Of the many things we feel they do better in Italy, aperitivo would be high on the list.

The Italian equivalent of happy hour, aperitivo, is where some of the most classic drinks in the Italian cocktail canon are put in the spotlight and served with small but delicious bites ranging from potato chips to focaccia.

Classic Italian Cocktails

When it comes to aperitvo drinks, we’re partial to the classic Italian cocktails. A lot of the classic cocktails revolve around the sweet-bitter liquor that is Campari. And while the most popular Campari cocktail around – the classic Negroni Cocktail – hails from Florence, the spirit itself was created by Davide Campari in Novara, Italy (near Turin).

And, fittingly, the whole concept of aperitivo is said to come from the same corner of the country, which is probably why, of all the activities on our group trips to Italy, we are partial to the cocktail crawl we do in Milan. 

Negroni Sabagliato With Prosecco

If you’re on TikTok, then you’re well aware that Emma D’Arcy blew up the platform when she talked about this classic Italian cocktail. which is a twist on the classic Negroni Cocktail (where you swap Prosecco for the gin). Many people have been calling the cocktail a “Negroni Sbagliato With Prosecco” but we should clarify that this cocktail classically always has Prosecco. 

Origin Of The Negroni Sbagliato Cocktail

And, of all the drinks that come from Milan, our favorite is the Negroni Sbagliato (pronounced “Neh-groan-ee Sbah-lee-ah-to”). Cocktail folklore has it that this drink, the Negroni Sbagliato, is a mistake or messed up (aka sbagliato) take on the classic cocktail the Negroni.

Whereas the Negroni is a mix of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari cocktail, it’s said that the owner and head bartender at Milan’s Bar Basso created the Negroni Sbagliato when he used brut sparkling wine instead of gin.

The result is a cocktail that’s a mash-up of the Classic Spritz and a Negroni Cocktail and, to us, it’s like the goldilocks of cocktails – not too sweet, not too strong, and just right!

And, FYI, it pairs fabulously with the classic aperitivo snacks of salted peanuts, olives, and potato chips. Because, as we’ve discussed before, aside from clubbing, Italians never drink without having some food too so make like them and serve this cocktail with those simple, classic snacks.

Okay, that’s it! Go stock up on all your bar essentials, then head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!