What Is a Negroni Sbagliato? How to Make the TikTok Famous Cocktail
- Thanks to Emma D’Arcy of House of the Dragon, the Negroni Sbagliato is finding new life as a social media sensation.
- The Negroni Sbagliato is a simple Italian cocktail made with three equal parts ingredients.
- Since this is such a simple cocktail, using the right ingredients is very important.
Get moving, espresso martini, it’s time for a new online cocktail sensation: the Negroni Sbagliato. It’s been popping up everywhere for the past few days, but how did a relatively obscure cocktail jump to the forefront of TikTok discourse? We have Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, stars of HBO’s House of the Dragon, to thank for that. In a short Q&A video, D’Arcy, who plays Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, is asked what her favorite drink is and replies “Negroni… Sbagliato… with Prosecco in it.” Her deep and seductive performance of the line caused the clip to explode on social media, and now people are dying to try it.
What is a Negroni Sbagliato?
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Simply put, a Negroni Sbagliato is a refreshing Italian cocktail that Campari mixes equal parts sweet vermouth and Prosecco. According to bartender and cocktail expert Anders Erickson, the sbagliato was created in Milan, Italy by Mirko Stocchetto. The Italian word sbagliato (the g is silent) roughly translates to “mistake” or “mistake,” and it’s believed that this cocktail was accidentally created when Stocchetto mistakenly substituted sparkling wine for the gin in a Negroni.
Despite its name, the Negroni Sbagliato is actually closer in shape to the predecessor of the Negroni, the Americano. “You’re basically replacing the soda water in Americano with the dry fruitiness of Prosecco,” says Erickson. Prosecco adds more flavor and is the perfect complement to the bitterness of the Campari and the rich sweetness of the vermouth. “It’s a really refreshing, low-alcohol drink,” says Erickson.
How to make a Negroni Sbagliato
Enough story, here’s how to mix D’Arcy’s favorite cocktail.
To prepare a Negroni Sbagliato, combine the Campari and Vermouth in a Rocks glass with ice. Top up with Prosecco and stir gently. Garnish with an orange slice or a twist.
“It’s easy to make,” says Erickson. “I usually look at it, but it’s more or less the same parts. You can also add more Prosecco if you want it to be a bit more bubbly.”
One thing to keep in mind is that the type of vermouth used in this cocktail is essential. This cocktail calls for sweet Italian vermouths like Carpano Antica or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino. The sweetness and richness are necessary to balance the sharp, lemony bitterness of the Campari.
Insider snack
The Negroni Sbagliato is a popular and refreshing Italian cocktail that deserves its newfound popularity. It’s a simple drink that blends equal parts fruity Prosecco wine with rich, sweet vermouth and bitter Campari. Don’t let its simplicity fool you, this humble drink is definitely worth trying.