A Negroni Sbagliato is a classic Italian cocktail made with Prosecco! It's festive for the holidays, but you can enjoy this Italian drink any time of the year.
If you like this Negroni Sbagliato, you might also enjoy the classic Italian Negroni.
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The Negroni Sbagliato is what happens when a classic Negroni takes a softer, more relaxed turn. Instead of gin, this version is topped with prosecco, making it lighter, fresher, and easier to sip. It's still unmistakably Italian, still beautifully bitter, just a bit more playful.
This is the drink I order when I want a Negroni vibe without the intensity. It's ideal for warm evenings, long conversations, and those aperitivo moments that accidentally turn into dinner.
What is the difference between a negroni and a negroni sbagliato?
The Negroni Sbagliato is basically a Negroni that calls for prosecco or asti spumante instead of gin. Sbagliato in Italian means "wrong" or "mistaken," as in, "I goofed on this negroni and grabbed the wrong bottle! And it tastes GOOD!"
You may be shaking your head saying, "What the heck is a Negroni?!?" Hold your horses...I will tell you!
Why you'll love a Negroni Sbagliato
- A lighter twist on the classic Negroni
- Bubbly and refreshing thanks to prosecco
- Perfect Italian aperitivo cocktail before dinner
- Made with just three simple ingredients
- Easy to make at home, bar-quality results
Ingredient Notes
- Campari: This gives the drink its signature bitterness and vibrant red color. There's no substitute here.
- Sweet vermouth: A quality Italian vermouth makes a big difference. Once opened, keep it refrigerated.
- Prosecco: Use a dry prosecco, not sweet. You want bubbles and balance, not extra sugar.
- Orange twist: Optional, but highly recommended for aroma and that classic aperitivo finish.
How to make a Negroni Sbagliato
- Fill a rocks or Old-Fashioned glass with ice.
- Add the Campari and sweet vermouth. Stir gently to combine.
- Top with prosecco and give it one gentle stir.
- Garnish with an orange twist, if using.
- Serve immediately.
Pro Tips
- Use large ice cubes so the drink stays cold without watering down too fast.
- Stir gently, especially after adding prosecco, to keep the bubbles intact.
- Chill your prosecco well before using. Warm prosecco flattens quickly.
- Serve immediately. This cocktail is best fresh.
Variations
- Swap prosecco for another dry sparkling wine if that's what you have on hand.
- Add a splash of soda for an even lighter version.
- Try a blood orange twist when in season for extra aroma.
What is an Italian negroni?
I'm sort of a history buff. I love American history. European history. Food history. And I just found out I even like cocktail history. Here is what I found on wikipedia about a regular Negroni:
"While the drinks' origins are obscured by time, the most widely reported version is that it was invented in Florence, Italy in 1919, at Caffè Casoni, now called Caffè Giacosa. Count Camillo Negroni invented it by asking the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to strengthen his favorite cocktail, the Americano, by adding gin rather than the normal soda water. The bartender also added an orange garnish rather than the typical lemon garnish of the Americano to signify that it was a different drink.
After the success of the cocktail, the Negroni Family founded Negroni Distillerie in Treviso, Italy, and produced a ready-made version of the drink, sold as Antico Negroni 1919.
One of the earliest reports of the drink came from Orson Welles in correspondence with the Coshocton Tribune while working in Rome on Cagliostro in 1947, where he described a new drink called the Negroni, "The bitters are excellent for your liver, the gin is bad for you. They balance each other."
I don't know about you, but this fascinates me! My favorite part is the end quote about how the bitters and gin balance out each other.
Where was the negroni sbagliato invented?
Back to the Negroni Sbagliato. It was invented at the legendary Bar Basso in Milan. Milan has a pretty hopping aperitivo scene. You go out after work to a bar. Any bar. And you buy a cocktail and you get to snack. I'm not talking just popcorn and chips.
Some of these bars have bruschetta. Amazing olives. Cheese spreads. I could go on and on. It basically is a happy hour where you get a drink and practically a free meal. Not bad?
I found the story about this drink in La Cucina Italiana magazine: "The house specialty at the legendary Bar Basso in Milan translates as "wrong" or "mistaken" Negroni-a fitting name for a cocktail born from a happy mistake. When making a Negroni, a misplaced bottle of spumante was grabbed by accident. An instant hit, the drink became the bar's signature."
FAQ
Yes. Replacing gin with prosecco makes it lighter and lower in alcohol.
You can pre-mix the Campari and vermouth, but add prosecco just before serving.
During aperitivo, usually early evening before dinner.
A negroni sbagliato tastes bitter and fruity (and nice and bubbly!).
I am happy that this drink was created by mistake. So if you are feeling the stress. Time is getting closer. Sit back and make a Negroni Sbagliato.
Like a regular negroni, the sbaliato version is served on ice and usually comes with an orange peel twist.
Did you make this and love it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below:)
I would LOVE IT if you can leave me a star rating and a review down below and let me know your thoughts! It means the world to me to hear how you liked it.
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Negroni Sbagliato (Negroni with Prosecco)
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce Martini and Rossi sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce dry Spumante or Prosecco
- Orange slice for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add Campari, vermouth and Spumante, in that order. Gently stir and garnish with orange slice.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.
Thank you for the award and cocktail recipe. I think the second might be most needed in my life right now 🙂 Adding the ingredients to my grocery list and carving out a night to relax this week with one of these drinks. No exceptions 🙂 Hope your December is relaxing!
CONGRATULATIONS on your award!
Oooohhh...got to try this cocktail during the holidays.
Ah, grazie Cara! xoxo
Congrats on the award and thank you so much for passing this on to me. I love a good cocktail, especially this time of year. I will pass it along soon, I'm a little behind.
-Gina-
BTW. really honored to be in such good company yours included. Came to visit again as I am going to visit the other bloggers you mentioned some I already know and follow but some are new to me. Can't wait!!
Aww Lora I am really touched and honored. Thank you so much my stylish and most fantastic friend! You know I love tradition and a good story which you paired so beautifully in this post and recipe. Not geek at all I used to read the encyclopedia. lol!
What languages? I'm a polyglot too and am always up for squeezing in a little more...Dropped past on Debra's recommendation and pleased I did ^-^
Lora I am really, really honored that you've included me on this list with some truly amazing bloggers - kinda shocked if you want to know the truth. But I love your blog, love the food you tease us with and most of all, I love your spirit - you are a gem! And how fun is the background of this fantastic drink?! Right up my alley - and 4-1/2 languages??? (((hugs)))
Negronis are one of my favorite drinks... and I love La Cucina Italiana (in fact, I think i saw the same piece)! Such great articles and some terrific recipes.
Congrats on being so stylish! Couldn't agree more! 🙂
Love the history lesson and of course I am always down for a good cocktail 🙂 Congrats on the award too! ps I think that is awesome you speak so many different languages! Its not geeky at all!
I sooo need a cocktail after fighting aisle-rage at Toys r Us! This looks incredible!
I loved the background history on the Negroni. Who knew what mistakes could yield! And can I move onto a farm in Italy with you!? That's my dream as well:)
Looks like it's time to open up the liquer cabinet!
Mmmm that cocktail looks so good and so pretty too!
Congrats on the award and thank you for giving me the award too. I have to say you are so smart!! 4 1/2 languages?! Not geeky at all. 🙂
Oh, lovely cocktail recipe. I love a great cocktail! A great stress reliever indeed. Congrats on the award, you are definitely a stylish blogger.
Lora, my Nutella-sharing friend, thank you so much for thinking of me. I think the world of you, so I truly appreciate it!
thank you for the history lesson, the drink lesson and a little more info about you:)
First of all, thanks a lot for the award!! You are so sweet
Second, you are also soo cool. I did not the story of Negroni and I loved hearing a little bit of Italy here!
Third, that quote...it's fantastic. In true Italian spirit! I need to put as my email signature haha
Last but not least, I loved learning something new about you...above all the misteries part. I love misteries and I always thought I should have been a detective...so funny we have this in common!
lovely drink and great history and wow you hubby is Italian how neat
What a wonderful drink. It sounds perfect for the holidays. Thanks for the history about it too. I also love to learn the history of foods. Wow! You speak 4 1/2 languages! That is impressive. I can barely speak English...lol and a little Italian:)
Oh thanks so much Lora for the award! I am flattered 🙂 Also, this cocktail looks amazing - I am very much a fan of "bitter" drinks like this - it's nice to counter all the sweet indulgences around this time of the year. Definitely making this one and soon!