Negroni With Prosecco – How To Make A Negroni Sbagliato

Last updated on June 22nd, 2024

What’s all the buzz surrounding the Negroni Sbagliato? Most of us know what a Negroni is, but what about a Negroni Sbagiato with prosecco? In this version of the classic Italian Negroni cocktail, only one ingredient changes but the difference makes all the world!

Do you think the classic Negroni is too strong or too bitter? Or maybe you prefer a bit of fizz in your cocktail? Try a Negroni Sbagliato, made with prosecco!

Made with prosecco instead of gin, the Negroni Sbagliato is a lighter version of the Italian classic – less bitter and with just a touch of sweetness and fizz from the prosecco.

I’ll walk you through:

• exactly what the Negroni Sbagliato is
• how to pronounce it Negroni Sbagliato
• how to make a Negroni Sbagliato
• how we drink it here in Italy
• alternatives to this raging cocktail!

What Is A Negroni with Prosecco?

A Negroni Sbagliato with prosecco is an Italian aperitif made with equal parts sweet red vermouth, Campari and prosecco (or other sparkling white wine). 

The Negroni Sbagliato is Italy’s most famous variation of the classic Negroni. 

When Do Italians Drink Negroni Sbagliato With Prosecco?

Italians will have a Negroni Sbagliato with prosecco most commonly as an aperitivo or pre-dinner cocktail and sometimes, as an after-dinner drink. Usually, however, it’s reserved for aperitifs because the bitter Campari and effervescent aspect of the cocktail lends itself well to a side of chips and olives.

Good To Know: The legal drinking age in Italy is 18.

Fit In: Learn How to Toast in Italian!

How to Pronounce Negroni

A Negroni with prosecco is called a Negroni Sbagliato in Italian, pronounced neh-groh-nee sbahl-yah-toh.

Listen to pronunciation of Negroni Sbagliato: 

The First Negroni Sbagliato

Sbagliato means “wrong” or “mistake” and that is exactly how this variation of a Negroni was created. 

Legend has it that in 1972, Mirko Stocchetti of Bar Basso in Milan was making a classic Negroni cocktail but accidentally added sparkling white wine in place of gin. The cocktail was a grand success and from that moment on, it took fire!

The origins of the Negroni Sbagliato, however, can be traced back to the Americano, the first famous Campari-based cocktail in Italy. From that version, the Negroni was born and from there, the evermore popular Negroni with prosecco or Sbagiato. 

The Negroni Sbagliato has now been made famous in the USA by HBO’s House of the Dragon stars, Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cook in an interview on Tik-Tok when asked about favorite cocktails. It’s now all the rage! 

What Is The Difference Between A Negroni And A Negroni Sbagliato?

The Negroni was invented in 1919 in Florence at what is today known as Bar Lietta, Italy and it’s made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari served on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass. 

The Negroni Sbagliato is also made in an old-fashioned glass on the rocks but with prosecco in place of the gin. The Negroni Sbagliato is a lighter cocktail than the traditional Negroni. 

What Is Campari?

Campari is the name of a trademarked alcoholic bitter with an ABV of 25% made by infusing alcohol and water with various herbs and fruit, creating a bitter flavor with a dark red color. Campari can be described as having citrus undertones of orange, clove and cinnamon with a hint of cherry. 

The Campari that we know and love today, owned by Gruppo Campari, was first created in 1960 by Gaspare Campari and the recipe still remains a secret today!

Fact: The original recipe for Campari called for crushing small insects, brightly coloring the liquor red. Today, artificial color is used to re-create it’s powerful color but no bugs are used. 

 Campari is Italy’s most beloved bitter used in many cocktails including:

• Negroni
• Negroni Sbagliato
• Mezcal Negroni
• Campari Spritz
• Campari Soda
• Americano

Campari is part of the Italian category of alcohol known as amaro/amari or “bitters”.

Read More: Want to know more about Italian cocktails? Read our comprehensive guide to Best Italian Cocktails – 15 Popular Aperitifs We Actually Drink In Italy

Negroni With Prosecco Ingredients

• 1 part (1 oz or 3 cl) Campari
• 1 part (1 oz or 3 cl) Prosecco (or other sparkling white wine)
• 1 part (1 oz or 3 cl) sweet red vermouth 

What Kind Of Prosecco To Use In A Negroni Sbagliato

The most steadfast rule for making cocktails is that you should be using liquors and wines that you would want to drink alone meaning, that they are of good enough quality to stand on their own without the addition of other ingredients.

Prosecco Superiore is considered the absolute best to use but by no means is it necessary. The important aspect is that you are using a fizzy, white wine: it can be prosecco, it can be champagne, it can be sparkling white wine. Whatever it’s called, as long as it’s sparking and white, it will do. 

Fortunately, this cocktail is very forgiving because the Campari and sweet vermouth are the star flavors. You can easily get away with using a mediocre prosecco as long as it’s not dirt cheap and undrinkable on its own. 

Best Campari For Negroni With Prosecco

I like the classic Italian Campari to make a Negroni Sbagliato (or any other campari-based cocktail). It’s readily available overseas. Look for it at large liquor stores across the USA. You can also bring it back from Italy as a souvenir or gift at a fraction of the price!

Best Vermouth For Negroni With Prosecco

Martini Red Vermouth is certainly the most affordable and accessible vermouth on the market in the USA. Carpano Antica is another good choice if you want to spend a little bit more. 

I also like to play with artisan vermouths to change the flavor profile of the Negroni Sbagliato cocktail. This is my current favorite.

Good To Know: Vermouth only lasts about three months after it’s opened so be sure you are using one that hasn’t been in your cabinet for years!

How To Make A Negroni Sbagliato With Prosecco

1. Measure the Campari and vermouth in a small old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
2. Top with the Prosecco, gently stir and garnish with either half an orange slice or a twist of orange (a piece of orange peel). 

Tips For Making The Best Negroni With Prosecco

A Negroni with Prosecco should be served in a small tumbler glass (also known as an old-fashioned glass) over large chunks of ice, also known as “on the rocks”. The bigger the ice chucks, the better because it melts more slowly. 

Good To Know: You can make a Negroni with prosecco in a flute although an old-fashioned glass is the more popular choice. 

If you can, chill the glass before making the Negroni Sbagliato but it’s not necessary. 

A Negroni Sbagliato is most commonly garnished with a slice of orange (either a thin whole round slice or a thin slice cut in half to look like a half moon) or a twist of orange (a piece of just orange peel) directly in the glass and not on the lip of the glass.

Campari Substitutions For A Negroni Sbagliato

Campari is not only a specific product but can refer to the general flavor palette of the Campari bitter recipe.

There are many artisan versions of the classic Campari that you can try, each slightly lighter or dark and more or less bitter. 

Note: These Campari varieties won’t be called Campari because of the trademark name.

Campari has such a unique flavor, much more bitter and full-bodied than its counterpart Aperol which is why it’s really hard to replace with any other liquor.

Here are some popular substitutions to the classic Italian Campari brand:

• Bruto Bitters (California based)
• Contratto Bitters (Italy based)
• Luna Aperitivo (Washington D.C. based)
• Lockhouse Distillery Ibisco Bitter Liqueur (New York based)

Negroni Sbagliato Alternatives

Because the Negroni Sbagliato is originally rooted in the Negroni and even before that, the Americano, these make great alternatives to the Negroni with Prosecco.  Or, check out some Non-Alcoholic Italian Drinks – That We Actually Drink in Italy.

Negroni With Prosecco FAQ