Beyond Florence: How India is Reimagining the Classic Negroni

The Negroni, a global icon in flaming orange-red, is a Tuscan invention born in Florence. In reality, it was a cocktail mixed almost as an afterthought. Legend has it that in 1919 Count Camillo Negroni walked into Caffè Casoni (now The Giacosa Café) in Florence asking for a stiff version of the Americano. The bartender, with a deft hand, replaced soda with gin. Thus, one of the greatest cocktails was born.

A concoction of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, Negroni is a rite of passage in Florence. On a recent trip, I stopped at Rasputin, a dark speakeasy bar inspired by czarist Russia, with a vintage décor and sense of mystery. The Negroni here is served as a mini welcome drink—potent and delicious! Four Seasons Firenze serves a Vintage Negroni, best enjoyed at the elegant Atrium Bar.

Back home in India, I embark on a heady exploration of our own Negronis—some with some cheeky riffs.

Reinterpreted Flavours

The Tribal Negroni at Bandra Born in Mumbai takes an audacious desi twist wherein in the traditional gin is replaced with the Six Brothers Mahura spirit, known for its sweet, floral notes. This gives the drink an added depth, sweetness, and unique floral taste signature to the Mahura flower.

On the other end of the spectrum, the savoury Himalayan Negroni draws inspiration from the smoky momo chutney, a beloved culinary staple of the Himalayas. A mountain-born twist, this version brings together the bold juniper of Hapusa Himalayan Dry Gin, the spiced complexity of Timbur-infused vermouth, and the unmistakable bitterness of the vibrant Campari.

Crowned with a perfectly charred cherry tomato, the Chamomile Negroni at PCO in New Delhi is a soothing blend of calming chamomile tea and bitter-sweet flavours, featuring chamomile flowers and citrus peels. The Tinto Negroni at Fairmont Mumbai’s bar, The Hedonist, is a lush and luxurious reinterpretation of the classic, with a deep coffee-infused gin adding a layered and rich, bittersweet profile.

Negroni purists may argue that the holy trinity of gin, vermouth and Campari is what makes a true blue Negroni, but a small deviation can never be considered breaking the rule. Especially, if the result is something as delicious as the Mezcal Negroni that Mumbai's Mirage makes, infusing the Campari with strawberries and switching up the gin with mezcal, which infuses soft hints of wood, sweet notes of cooked agave, and a pleasant smoky finish.

Como Agua in Goa makes a stunning Negroni Sbagliato, literally translating to “Mistaken Negroni” in Italian. This cocktail was born in the 1970's at Bar Basso in Milan. The story goes that bartender Mirko Stocchetto accidentally grabbed a bottle of sparkling wine instead of gin while making a classic Negroni. “The 'mistake' turned out to be a well-loved cocktail that went down smoothly, as it was lighter, effervescent, and more approachable than its boozy cousin, the Negroni. Since then, it has become a cult classic around the world,” says Aman Dhiman, head mixologist at Como Agua.

Alchemised By Time

For those on the hunt for deeper flavour profiles, the Barrel Aged Negroni at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar is the answer. Aged for a period of two weeks, allowing the oak flavours to be absorbed by the spirits, this version is deep, dense, and smoky.

Over the years, Negroni Week has become quite the global phenomenon, with bars across the globe, celebrating this cocktail during the month of September. Scarlett House, in Bandra and Juhu in Mumbai, have a special menu curated by Fay Barretto, group beverage director. It is available throughout Negroni Week, from September 22 to 28, 2025. Expect the classic, as well as some interesting riffs like the Orange Float, and Matcha Negroni. The Negroni has evolved into the classic grown-up drink—part sweet, part bitter, and a fabulous visual identity. It truly embodies effortless elegance or sprezzatura—cool Italian nonchalance. And though, there have been numerous interpretations of this beloved cocktail, the classic with equal parts gin, vermouth, and Campari, still remains a peerless choice.