White Negroni

Get to know this spin on the regular negroni, the White Negroni: a bitter, herbal and slightly sweet beverage. This modern classic cocktail is a flavorful pre-dinner sipper that every negroni lover needs to know. This guide shows you how to make it with Suze liqueur as well as other bitter liqueurs.

White Negroni cocktail recipe

Classic cocktails are appealing, tried-and-true, tested recipes that have stood the test of time. But the twists on those classics? Those are what makes the world of drinks so interesting.

The Negroni is one of those classics that enjoys a delicious twist in the White Negroni. I might even like it better than the classic!

Bitter and slightly sweet, the original Negroni is typically made with herbal gin, sweet vermouth and a bitter Italian liqueur called Campari; the latter two of which are both red-hued ingredients.

The White Negroni turns that recipe on its head with ingredients that have similar flavors from botanicals but a very different color: clear-colored gin, dry blanc vermouth and another type of bitter liqueur with a clear or yellowish hue.

More gin cocktail recipes: Gin & Tonic • Gimlet • Pickle Martini

Why you’ll love this recipe

You’ll love this spin on the classic Negroni:

• The White Negroni is a fun variation on the classic Negroni.
• You can play with the recipe, as there are many substitutes for the original ingredients.
• It can be lighter or just as bitter as the classic negroni.

Classic negroni vs. white negroni

The classic negroni cocktail is a classic drink made with gin, Campari and dry white vermouth. Campari is a red-colored, bittersweet liqueur. It’s an apéritif that gives this herbal cocktail a deep, bitter undertone.

The white negroni is a variation that uses a yellow or clear bitter liqueur instead of Campari. In 2001, British bartender Wayne Collins introduced the White Negroni at VinExpo, a renowned beverage trade show in Bordeaux, France.

The classic version calls for Suze, a French bitter liqueur. The herbal flavor of Suze and its yellow color both come from gentian root. However, bartenders have made many variations with different types of bitter liqueur and dry vermouth.

While you can enjoy a version of the Negroni anytime, Negroni Week is observed each September. Hosted by Imbibe Magazine and the Campari brand, this charity event celebrates this classic drink and give back to the community. The next Negroni Week will be held Sept. 2025 and this year the cause is Slow Food.

Tools & glassware

Negronis should be stirred, not shaken. You’ll need a mixing glass ^* and a bar spoon, as well as a jigger ^* to measure the ingredients.

You may want a vegetable peeler ^* or bar knife to help you cut a piece of citrus zest. You can go with orange zest for a slightly sweeter aroma or grapefruit zest if you want to emphasize the bitter flavors.

Some negronis are served on the rocks in a rocks glass, while others are served neat, often in a stemmed glass like a Nick & Nora glass. If served neat, it’s imperative they are stirred with ice to chill the ingredients.

favorite rocks glasses

striped old-fashioned glasses

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^*

Ingredients

A white negroni has three ingredients, usually measured in equal parts of one ounce each. Here’s what you will need to grab at the liquor store. 

• gin
• a bitter apéritif
• dry vermouth
• lemon twist — Feel free to substitute a grapefruit twist for even more bitter flavor.

Some negronis are served on the rocks in a rocks glass ^* — so you’ll also need to make some ice. You can make big cubes of clear ice for your negronis. They are great for old-fashioneds too.

The negroni can also be served neat, usually in a stemmed glass like a Nick & Nora glass. If served neat, it’s imperative they are stirred with ice to chill the ingredients.

Best gin for negronis

Every brand of this herbal spirit has a different flavor profile. Any gin you’d use in a regular negroni is a great place to start. If you have a favorite, that’s works too.

A London Dry gin, such as Beefeater, Monkey 47 or Hendrick’s, will work well. Plymouth Gin is also an excellent choice.

Bitter liqueurs for a White Negroni

The classic white negroni recipe calls for Suze gentian liqueur, a bitter French apéritif with a bright yellow color and a deep herbal flavor. However, Suze isn’t always readily available in the United States.

Other bitter liqueurs like Cocchi Americano and Lillet Blanc will work just as well. In fact, both of them are more clear in color, making a more true white negroni than Suze, which makes a yellow negroni.

But the possibilities don’t stop there — here are some bitter apéritifs to try in a white negroni:

• Lillet Blanc
• Cocchi Americano
• Aveze
• Luxardo Bitter Bianco
• Salers
• Bonal

This guide to the white negroni by Corpse Revived offers an in-depth look at some of these liqueurs if you’d like to learn more.

Best vermouth for a White Negroni

Dry vermouth, also known simply as white vermouth or blanc vermouth, is a fortified wine with a distinct flavor profile: a complex combination of herbal, floral and mildly sweet notes.

It is different from sweet vermouth, which is what you’d use in a traditional negroni. This type has a deep red color.

Dolin blanc dry vermouth and Vya dry vermouth are both great brands to stock at home, especially for classic martinis.

In addition to being great bitter liqueurs, Lillet Blanc and Cocchi Americano will also work as vermouth substitutes as they have similar qualities.

Variations

Mix up your White Negroni with one of these variations:

Classic negroni: The White Negroni is technically a spin on the regular, which is red in color. It’s made with Campari bitter liqueur, red vermouth and gin.

White negroni sbagliato: This bubbly spin on the negroni swaps gin for prosecco.

Garnishes: You can also try different types of garnishes to infuse different citrus undertones. Try a grapefruit peel or orange twist instead of lemon. 

How to make a White Negroni

Here’s how to make a great White Negroni at home:

1. In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine equal parts of each ingredient: gin, bitter liqueur and dry vermouth.
2. Gently use a bar spoon to stir the mixture until well chilled.
3. Strain into an old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube. You can also serve it neat in a Nick & Nora glass.
4. Garnish it with a piece of lemon peel, giving it a gentle twist or squeeze to infuse subtle citrus notes into the drink. 

Tips & tricks

Here are some tips and tricks for making this cocktail:

• Experiment with different combinations of bitter liqueurs and gins to find your ultimate White Negroni.
• Always store your open bottles of vermouth in the fridge. (This goes for red vermouth too.) They’ll last for about 1-2 months after opening them if stored in the fridge.
• Don’t shake the cocktail. Prepare it in a mixing glass ^*, using a bar spoon ^* to stir the ingredients with ice cubes.

What to serve with negronis

Both regular and white negronis are made with gin, dry vermouth and bitter liqueurs, which are all apéritifs.

Apéritifs are liqueurs most often enjoyed before a meal, to whet the appetite. (Bitter liqueurs are also sometimes enjoyed as digestifs, which are enjoyed after a meal to aid digestion.)

That said, these drinks go well with appetizers and canapés.

If enjoying a White Negroni with French ingredients like Lillet Blanc or Suze, go for French-inspired appetizers like baked brie or a cheese board.

If going the Italian route with Cocchi Americano or Luxardo Bitter Bianco, try caprese skewers, Tuscan white bean dip or a round of bruschetta or crostini.

FAQ

More bitter cocktail recipes

• Aperol Spritz
• Negroni Sbagliato
• Pomegranate Negroni
• Cranberry Negroni