Negroni Sbagliato (Prosecco Cocktail Recipe)

The Negroni Sbagliato is like a classic Negroni, only better.

It delivers all those bitter, warming flavors of Negroni with a bubbly kiss from Prosecco.

Classic Negronis lean hard on the bitter side, but sweet Prosecco helps balance those dark flavors perfectly.

And this cocktail is so easy to make at home, provided you have the right booze on hand.

Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through what type of liquor works best and various ways to serve it.

Uncork that bottle of Prosecco, and let’s dive into this tasty Negroni Sbagliato recipe!

What Is a Negroni Sbagliato?

First things first. You pronounce Sbagliato ‘spal-yacht-oh.’

In Italian, Sbagliato translates to “incorrect” because it omits gin in favor of Prosecco.

And while the name suggests it’s a mistake, the Prosecco makes this cocktail sweet and refreshing.

The classic Negroni is very bitter. Many describe Campari as an acquired taste.

So, think of the Negroni Sbagliato like a Negroni with training wheels. The Negroni Sbagliato is the perfect balance of bitter and sweet.

Plus, the kick from gentle bubbles makes this notoriously heavy cocktail much lighter.

How Did It Get Popular?

The Negroni Sbagliato hit the scene in the 1980s but didn’t become popular until it showed up on TikTok in 2022.

While doing a behind-the-scenes shoot of House of the Dragon, Emma D’Arcy noted this cocktail as their favorite mixed drink.

Naturally, the internet lit up with curiosity about this underappreciated cocktail.

Until that interview, the Negroni Sbagliato was relatively unknown. But today, this mixed drink is incredibly popular at bars across the globe.

Ingredients

This classic cocktail has only a handful of ingredients, and it’s quite potent! Here’s a list of what you need for this drink that’s taking over the internet:

• Ice – The Negroni Sbagliato is best served on the rocks to bring out the richness of Campari.

• Sweet Vermouth – Sweet vermouth adds such wonderful complexity to this cocktail. The flavor is slightly bitter, with wonderful botanical notes with a hint of sweetness.

• Campari – Classic Campari is bitter but complex. The flavors are dark and brooding, with bitter spices and citrus notes. But don’t worry, Prosecco helps to tame the overwhelming bitterness.

• Prosecco or Sparkling Wine – Behold the star of the show: Prosecco. It helps tame the bitter notes from Campari and adds a light, bubbly spin to this classic. Opt for dry sparkling wine to prevent your Negroni from becoming overly sweet. 

• Orange Peel (optional) – The orange peel garnish is optional but adds a certain something extra. Be sure to squeeze the peel to release its oils to add a punch of citrus flavors to this cocktail. It takes this drink over the top. 

How to Make a Negroni Sbagliato

You don’t need a cocktail shaker to create the Negroni Sbagliato. Just pour, combine, and serve. That’s it! Check out how quickly this cocktail comes together.

1. Add ice. Fill a rocks glass (or an old-fashioned glass) with ice to the top.

2. Pour in the liquor. Add the sweet vermouth and Campari, and then gently stir to combine. Stir it for about 20 seconds or until the glass feels cool to the touch.

3. Top it off with Prosecco. Fill the remaining space in the glass with chilled Prosecco or sparkling wine. Stir it for 10 more seconds.

4. Garnish (optional). Squeeze an orange rind to release its natural oils, and drop it into the glass. Enjoy!

Ways to Serve This Cocktail

You can easily change the mood of this cocktail by switching out the glass. While the classic recipe calls for an old-fashioned glass, check out these other ways to serve the Negroni Sbagliato.

• Low-ball glass – When ordering at a bar, ask for a Negroni Sbagliato on the rocks. It will come in a stout lowball glass.

• Champagne flute – For a lighter cocktail, ask for a Negroni Sbagliato ‘up’ for a champagne flute. This version looks so pretty and delicate!

• Stemmed wine glass – If you love bubbles, ask for a Negroni Sbagliato in a stemmed wine glass. This version is similar to a spritz and leans heavily on the sparkling wine.