Snowy Negroni

When you need a cocktail to offset all the sweets of the holiday season, the subtle and delicate bittersweetness of a snowy Negroni will have both of the turtledoves (and most of the French hens) cooing in delight. This clear-colored Negroni has all the elements of the deep red classic Negroni, but takes some cues from our original white Negroni recipe (which is actually yellowish from the addition of Suze). Our snowy Negroni offers a lighter, more aromatic flavor without any hue.

Because it’s colorless, you can go nuts when garnishing this sipper to match whatever theme or color scheme you have planned for your holiday get-together. Snowgronis—as we playfully like to call them—are class in a glass, and with just three ingredients in equal parts, they’ll be tasty every time. Serve them over big ice cubes, and these holiday cocktails might be just the present you were hoping for.

Snowy Negroni Ingredients

• Gin: The best gin for a Negroni is London dry gin, which keeps the drink crisp and botanical. It’s central spirit of this cocktail, so choose one with a crisp, bright profile.
• Cocchi Americano: This is a wine-based aperitif that blends Moscato grapes with herbs and spices. Cocchi Americano brings light citrus, floral notes and a gentle bitterness that replaces the deeper bite of red Campari that you’d find in a classic Negroni. It keeps the drink clear while providing the balance that a Negroni often has.
• Dry vermouth: Dry vermouth adds herbal complexity and a whisper of savory depth. You can substitute Lillet Blanc for a slightly sweeter and more aromatic version.
• Large ice cube: One oversized cube chills the drink slowly without watering it down too fast. It also adds the perfect look for a snowy, crystalline presentation.
• Cranberries and rosemary: Fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig are wintry, festive garnishes that don’t add extra sweetness. They also make the drink look like it just walked off a holiday cocktail runway.
• Sparkly sugar or candy cane dust (optional): A light rim of sparkly sugar or crushed candy cane gives the glass a frosted effect. Use them sparingly so they don’t oversweeten the cocktail.

Directions

Step 1: Chill your mixing glass

Fill a mixing glass with ice.

Step 2: Add the spirits

Add the gin, Cocchi Americano and dry vermouth to the mixing glass.

Step 3: Stir until it’s chilly

Stir until the cocktail is chilled and slightly diluted, about 15 seconds.

Step 4: Strain and serve the cocktail

Place a large ice cube in a rocks glass and pour the cocktail over the ice.

Editor’s Tip: Flexible plastic ice cube trays make it easy to create perfect squares and large circular ice orbs. Plus, these special cubes make your guests feel extra fancy.

Step 5: Garnish it with seasonal sparkle

Garnish the snowy Negroni with two cranberries and a rosemary sprig. For a holiday option, rim a quarter of the glass with sparkly sugar or candy cane dust.

Editor’s Tip: If you have time, spike the two cranberries with the rosemary. You can poke a hole in the cranberries with a skewer to make it easier to thread the rosemary through.

Snowy Negroni Variations

• Keep it icy: Make your gin cocktail truly snowy by turning it into a frozen drink. Blend your spirits with crushed ice until they reach a frosty, slushy texture that feels like a grown-up snow cone. Because the dilution is more extreme, you may want to add another half ounce of gin to maintain a bold flavor. You could use pebble ice or crushed ice to enhance the winter wonderland vibe without the need to find all the pieces for the blender.
• Switch up the vermouth: Instead of vermouth, try using Lillet. This wine-based aperitif is made with Bordeaux grapes and fruit infusions. Lillet is great on its own or in a Vesper martini.
• Go for the glory with garnishes: Cranberries and rosemary are a good starting point, but you can also get creative and experiment with garnishes like orange twists and frozen grapes.
• Stir in edible glitter: A tiny pinch of edible cocktail glitter makes the drink shimmer like a snow globe. It will not affect flavor, but it will absolutely make people gasp.
• Add more bite: Swap in Luxardo Bitter Bianco for the Cocchi Americano if you prefer a bolder bitter backbone. It’s still clear-colored, but it adds an extra alpine punch.

How to Store Snowy Negronis

The best way to store snowy Negronis is to batch the stirred version in advance without adding ice. Combine the gin, Cocchi Americano and vermouth in a sealed jar or bottle, and refrigerate the mixture for up to one week.

When ready to serve cocktails, pour the chilled mixture over a large cube in a rocks glass and add the garnish. If you’re making a batched cocktail for a party, keep the bottle in the freezer to maintain a thick and silky texture.

Snowy Negroni Tips

What is the best type of glass for a snowy Negroni?

The best cocktail glass for a snowy Negroni is an old-fashioned or rocks glass, since the single large cube gives the drink its signature wintery look. If you are making the blended version, a coupe also works because it keeps the slush contained and elegant. The clearer the glass, the better the snowy aesthetic comes through.