The Nordic Negroni is an exceptionally tasty northern take on the classic aperitivo. Aquavit replaces the gin here, lending a lovely herbal dimension to the drink...the nuanced kind of flavor that you get from a matured aquavit, to be precise. And thanks to that deep and savory complexity, this Nordic Negroni is just the sort of elixir that can really bolster one's spirits on a cold winter's evening. I enjoy serving this variation straight up instead of over the rocks...since when you spend a great deal of time in a far northern climate like I do, there's often quite enough ice in your life. That said, it is wonderful either way!

Nordic Negroni in a coupe glass with an orange twist.

This cocktail makes a particularly excellent way to kick off the meal when your menu includes herbed salmon and dill potatoes...or anything slathered with Scandinavian mustard dill sauce.

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Ingredients for Nordic Negroni
Instructions
Related
Pairing
📖 Recipe

Ingredients for Nordic Negroni

aquavit (Linie is my preference here)
red bitter liqueur (i.e. Cappelletti or Campari)
sweet vermouth (i.e. Cocchi Vermouth di Torino or Carpano Antica Formula)
fresh orange peel (to garnish)

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Pale golden liquid in a steel measuring jigger next to a mixing glass and a bottle of Linie aquavit.

Pour the aquavit in a mixing glass.

Pale red liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into a mixing glass next to a bottle of Cappelletti.

Then add the red bitter liqueur.

Pale brown liquid being poured from a steel measuring jigger into a mixing glass next to a bottle of Cocchi Vermouth di Torino.

Next add the sweet vermouth.

Reddish brown liquid and ice being stirred in a mixing glass with a long metal spoon.

Add plenty of ice and stir until thoroughly chilled.

Pale reddish brown liquid being strained from a mixing glass into a coupe glass.

Then strain into a coupe glass.

Garnish with a fresh orange peel.

Hint: When it comes to the orange peel, try to avoid as much of the pith as possible (it is quite bitter). A ceramic Y peeler works really well for this purpose.

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