The Sbagliato

29 June 2026

The Negroni is an Italian cocktail conceived in 1919 by Count Camillo Negroni, made with equal parts Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth. Its consistent popularity has elevated its status to that of a Martini or an Old Fashioned as a cocktail standard.

The Negroni Sbagliato, or simply Sbagliato was a happy accident when a Milanese bartender in the 1970s inadvertently reached for a Prosecco bottle rather than gin. The lighter, more effervescent iteration was affectionately called a Sbagliato - the Italian word for ‘wrong’. It has become a summer staple, rivaling the Aperol and other spritzes, but with a more intense flavor profile and higher alcohol content.

SBAGLIATO -

• 1 part Campari

• 1 part brut Processo

• 1 part sweet vermouth

• Square ice cube

• Orange peel for garnish

• Lowball glass, stemmed wine or champagne glass

Pour liquid ingredients over ice, stir gently, add garnish. Your favorite Prosecco is a good balance to the sweetness and intensity of the other ingredients. It’s a good idea to chill all ingredients prior to preparation.

NEGRONI -

• 1 part Campari

• 1 part London Dry Gin

• 1 part sweet vermouth

• Square ice cubes

• Orange twist

• Lowball glass

Add liquid ingredients over ice, stir gently, add twist. Cocchi Vermouth di Torino is a nice vermouth choice with Broker’s or Beefeater Dry Gin as a combo. Hendrick’s and Punt e Mas is also a tasty marriage with Campari.

NOTES -

• A Negroni, as with a Sbagliato is best served over a single large ice cube. The large cube melts slowly, chilling the Campari and vermouth mixture without diluting the bubbly Prosecco too quickly. 

• A wide-bowled white wine glass gives the sparkling wine room to breathe and allows you to take in the botanical aromatics of the Campari and vermouth.