Classic Negroni Sbagliato Cocktail Recipe

We all know a classic negroni cocktail as a simple, bitter, and strong equal-parts ratio of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Sbagliato, in Italian, means "mistake" and is the namesake of the negroni sbagliato because of its origins. According to Difford's Guide, the sbagliato was created in the 1980s by Mirko Stocchetti at Milan's Bar Basso after he mistakenly poured sparkling wine in place of gin for a customer's classic negroni. The result? A new, effervescent drink, aptly named for its origins but delicious on its own.

The negroni sbagliato rose to popularity recently the way any modern culinary creation does: via TikTok. A jovial interview between "House of the Dragon" stars Olivia Cooke and Emma D'Arcy found its way to viral fame thanks to the harmless question posed: What's your drink of choice? "A negroni," D'Arcy quickly responded before adding coyly, "sbagliato," smiling knowingly before finishing their answer: "with prosecco." We can assume they were simply clarifying what, exactly, the unusual sbagliato specification meant, but the internet took the alluring soundbite by storm and in no time, negroni sbagliatos were everywhere –- and always with prosecco.

This cocktail is fun to make, easy to riff, and sneakily strong. You can keep it classic with equal parts of each spirit, or pour the bubbly to the top for a lighter, spritz-like taste. It can be served on the rocks or up in a flute and garnished with any citrus you have on hand. Our recommendation? A ruby red blood orange.

There are many ways to make a negroni sbagliato, including using club soda, lemon juice, and sugar. The classic recipe, however, is a simple riff on a negroni, replacing the gin for sparkling wine. Any sparkling wine will do, but if you're like Emma D'Arcy, prosecco is absolutely the way to go. Besides prosecco, you'll just need Campari and vermouth rosso (also known as sweet red vermouth). Too bitter for your liking? Try it with a splash of simple syrup.

You can make this drink with or without ice, depending on your preference. Ice will chill the drink and slightly dilute the spirits, which we recommend if you want to taste more prosecco and less Campari. If making the drink on the rocks, fill a glass with ice and pour the vermouth and Campari over the top. Stir gently for just a few spins to chill and mix the spirits.

This is where you can make this drink your own: Use any sparkling wine and start with an equal-parts 1 ounce pour. If you want more bubbly, top up the drink with more bubbles. If serving the drink up (i.e. without ice), we recommend pouring slightly more than an ounce to top up the glass.

Garnish the drink with your favorite citrus. We recommend oranges, blood oranges, or even grapefruit to pair with the bitter Campari, but lemons and limes work, too. We love the sweet flavor of a whole slice of citrus here, but feel free to use the rind on its own to amplify the flavors of the spirits.

When does one drink a negroni sbagliato? Good question. We like it as a before-dinner aperitif cocktail to help stimulate the appetite and pair the drink with salty nuts, oily fish appetizers like sardines, and sharp cheeses.

Have you tried the viral sparkling cocktail yet? Now's the time!