The Coconut Negroni is perfect for you if you find the classic version of this drink is too bitter. The mild, sweet flavors of the tropical fruit tune down the herbal bitterness from the Campari and turn the Italian classic into a crowd-pleaser.
The recipe for this coconut twist keeps the three original ingredients of the classic Negroni in equal measures and adds a fourth one and s delicious garnish.
Ingredients of the Coconut Negroni
Like the classic version, this recipe calls for one part Campari, one part and one part Gin. And then there's the additional key ingredient: one part Coconut Rum.
Rum for the Coconut Negroni
Adding another alcoholic ingredient may not sound like it could balance an already boozy cocktail.
However, Coconut Rum is actually a flavored liqueur on a Rum base with an ABV slightly above 20% and a high sugar content. As such, it does a great job counteracting the bitterness of Campari.
We use Mahiki Coconut Rum for our Negroni recipe. But you can also use Malibu, which is easier to get in most countries.
Gin, Vermouth, and Campari
These recommendations for the three base ingredients of your Negroni remain the same as they are for the classic recipe:
My standard choices for the Gin part are Tanqueray No 10. or Sipsmith London Dry. If you want something that enhances the tropical note of the coconut, try Iron Balls - a Gin based on pineapple and coconut wine.Â
My favorite sweet Vermouth for the Negroni is Antica Formula. It is a fantastic, high-quality product from Italy that works beautifully in all sorts of mixed drinks.
Finally, the Campari. A no-brainer. The distinct bittersweet herbal Amaro as it is responsible for the iconic taste of the Negroni. And if you want to keep the original character of the cocktail, there's simply no adequate substitute for Campari.
The garnish
The perfect addition to this drink is dried coconut flakes. For some cocktails, the garnish has a purely visual purpose. But that is different for the Coconut Negroni.
All you have to do is sprinkle them on top of your Negroni and let them soak up some of the liquid.
I also recommend serving the drink with a small spoon and extra flakes on the side for people to snack on the soaked coconut chips. They are delicious.
Other Negroni cocktails
And if you want to try one more twist on this classic, I recommend trying the White Negroni made with Lillet and Suze. Or the sparkling versions - the Negroni Sbagliato or the Negroni Spritz.
Other options are the Mezcal Negroni and the Aperol Negroni - a rare riff that omits the Campari and replaces it with a sweeter Amaro.
Equipment
- 1 Mixing glass
- 1 Bar spoon
- 1 Hawthorne Strainer
Ingredients
- 1 oz Dry Gin
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth - Antica Formula
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz Coconut Rum - Mahiki or Malibu
- coconut chips
Instructions
- Add all four spirits into a mixing glass and use plenty of ice.1 oz Dry Gin, 1 oz Sweet Vermouth, 1 oz Campari, 1 oz Coconut Rum
- Give the mix a good stir (at least 30 rounds) and strain it into a chilled glass with one or two large ice cubes.
- For garnish, add some dried coconut chips on top, and enjoy this delicious coconut cocktail!coconut chips
- You can also serve some coconut chips on the side to drown in your Negroni. That makes the most delicious snack.coconut chips