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Epicurious
Bon Appétit

Frozen Negroni

By Alaina Chou
3 Frozen Negroni on a table with a side of thin orange slices
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Sean Dooley, Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin

This frozen version of the classic Italian cocktail is slushy, bittersweet, and just strong enough. Preferably slurped in the sun by a pool, it starts with the traditional 1:1:1 ratio of gin, vermouth, and Campari, then gets a dose of citrusy brightness from the addition of orange juice. OJ does double duty here, working not only to balance the drink’s flavors but also to lower its ABV—the key to creating a mixture that will stay frozen for longer than all of three minutes. The result is a smooth, refreshing cocktail that promises to be your new warm weather fave, whether you’re a devotee of the original or prefer something less intense and more gulpable. If you fall into the latter camp, consider using store-bought orange juice for an extra boost of sweetness to offset the wonderfully bitter notes of Campari.

You’ll need a blender for this recipe, and a bit of foresight—freezing the mixture in advance is an essential step for a slushy consistency. This recipe makes eight drinks, and I recommend you make it in full (or go ahead and double it), even if you’re serving fewer people. Keep any remaining mixture stashed in your freezer for drinks on demand all summer long.

What you’ll need

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    10 minutes (plus freezing)

  • Yield

    8 servings

Ingredients

1½ cups Campari
1½ cups gin
1½ cups sweet vermouth
1 cup fresh orange juice
Orange slices (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Mix 1½ cups Campari, 1½ cups gin, 1½ cups sweet vermouth, and 1 cup fresh orange juice in a pitcher to combine. Divide evenly between 2 airtight containers. Cover negroni base and freeze until semi-frozen (it won’t fully freeze because of the alcohol), at least 8 hours.

    Step 2

    When ready to serve, transfer 1 container of negroni base to a blender and add 4 cups ice. Blend on high speed until drink is thick and smooth. Divide among 4 glasses and garnish with orange slices. Repeat with remaining negroni base and another 4 cups ice if making all 8 servings, or save for another sunny day.

    Do Ahead: Negroni base can be made 1 month ahead. Keep frozen.

TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesGinCampariAmaroLiqueurVermouthOrangeCitrusFruitMake AheadDairy FreeItalianEuropeanSummerBon Appétit

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