This 3 Ingredient Venetian Negroni Is Better Than the Classic

The Negroni is a beloved Italian aperitif cocktail and while the equal parts recipe is timeless, using the Italian bitter liqueur Select Aperitivo adds a Venetian twist! Here, Select takes the place of Campari and Amaro Montenegro steps in for the sweet vermouth, which makes for a softer, sweeter, beautifully herbal Negroni that comes together in five minutes.

A Brief History of the Classic Negroni

The Negroni’s origins can be traced to Florence, Italy in 1919. Legend claims it was created when Count Camillo Negroni asked his bartender to strengthen his favorite Americano cocktail by replacing soda water with gin. The bartender chose an equal ratio of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. This balance of botanical spirit, fortified wine and bitter liqueur formed the template for the Negroni we know and love.

This recipe replaces the Campari with Select and the Sweet Vermouth with Amaro Montenegro, one of the most beloved amari in Italy. Want the original? My classic Negroni recipe has you covered.

A Brief History of Select Aperitivo Liqueur

Select Aperitivo was created in 1920 by the Pilla Brothers in Venice with 30 botanicals, balancing sweet and bitter tones with a vibrant ruby red color. Select is made today by Gruppo Montenegro, the same company behind Amaro Montenegro, so these two bottles are natural partners. It’s lighter in alcohol than Campari (17.5% ABV in the US and UK), with a fruitier, softer finish and lovely orange and floral notes.

Read more about it in my book, A Guide to Drinking in Venice!

Ingredients & Equipment for the Select Negroni

To make the Select Negroni you will need:

• Select Aperitivo
• Gin such as Plymouth or Tanqueray
• Amaro Montenegro
• Orange twist for garnish

Equipment: Jigger, Strainer, Mixing glass, Rocks glass

Choosing the Right Gin

Plymouth and Tanqueray are both lovely here. Plymouth is softer and gently earthy, which lets Select’s floral side shine, while Tanqueray London Dry brings a crisp, juniper-forward backbone. Reach for whichever gin you already love, since Select and Montenegro are the stars.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Select Aperitivo Negroni

Mixing this cocktail is simple. Just follow these steps:

Step 1: Fill mixing glass with ice

Fill a mixing glass halfway with ice to chill.

Step 2: Add all ingredients

Pour in the Select Aperitivo, gin and Amaro Montenegro.

Step 3: Stir for dilution

Stir gently for 30 seconds to a minute to dilute and chill.

Step 4: Strain into chilled glass

Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.

Step 5: Garnish and enjoy!

Express an orange twist over the top and drop it in the glass. Savor this bitter-sweet Italian aperitif!

That’s all it takes to mix a stellar Select Negroni! The key is using an equal ratio of the 3 core ingredients so no one flavor overpowers.

Achieving the Perfect Select Negroni Balance

One of the Negroni’s appeals is how easy it is to mix in equal thirds. But feel free to tweak the proportions to find your ideal balance.

• Select Aperitivo: provides herbaceousness, floral notes and subtle sweetness
• Gin: the core base spirit that brings botanical flavors
• Amaro Montenegro: this spirit also brings an herbal sweetness to the drink

Adjusting ratios ever so slightly can craft a Negroni tailored to your taste. Play with the ingredients until you land on your perfect permutation.

Love a lighter style? Try the Negroni Bianco. Craving something richer? The Boulevardier swaps the gin for bourbon.

Serving Suggestions for the Select Negroni

Certain serving practices can elevate your Negroni experience:

• Serve chilled, either from the freezer or over a large ice cube
• Choose a rocks, old fashioned or coupe-style glass
• Garnish with orange twists or slices to accent the fruit
• Accompany with light appetizers like charcuterie, cheeses and olives
• Use premium ice cubes or spheres for maximum chilling without dilution
• Make a pitcher batch for easy pouring at gatherings and parties

However you choose to enjoy it, the Select Aperitivo Negroni is a great aperitivo cocktail!

More Ways to Enjoy Select Aperitivo

Falling for Select? The Select Aperitivo Spritz is the Venetian classic, and the Select Aperitivo Americano is a fizzy, easy sipper.

Why Lush Life Loves It

Select is the taste of the Venetian aperitivo hour, and Venice has been my second home for four decades. I adore how it turns the Negroni into something brighter and more welcoming, with Amaro Montenegro adding silky, herbal sweetness instead of sharp edges. It’s gentle enough to win over anyone who thinks Negronis are too bitter, and it takes just five minutes and three bottles. That is my kind of aperitivo hour!

Here is the recipe