Smoked Aperol Negroni

Drama Meets Balance

If you’ve never had a negroni, this smoked aperol negroni may be your perfect gateway. The typically bitter cocktail gets a smoky sweet makeover worthy of it’s own tv show.  If you already love the negroni, welcome, this variation will have you questioning “why have I never tried aperol in this drink before?”  It may also have you asking, “Do I need a cocktail smoker?” The answer, my friends, is yes. Sure it’s a little extra, but if you also love an excuse to make fun, interesting cocktails at home it’s a worthwhile investment.

Even without the smoker, this is a fun cocktail to make!  It’ll be an even greater crowd pleaser than a typical negroni, as the aperol turns this a bit sweeter, but in a great way.  It doesn’t take this into “sweet cocktail” territory, but instead becomes incredibly balanced and less bitter.  For me, it’s perfect.  I love a negroni, but only on occasion as it can sometimes be too sharp. The combination of flavors in this cocktail, however, hits every note I’m looking for in a pre-dinner cocktail. Plus the theatrics of having a smoked cocktail *chef’s kiss* of drama meets taste!

Recipe Details

At its core, this cocktail recipe is incredibly simple. It’s equal parts aperol, gin, and sweet vermouth.  The ingredients are mixed in a chilled, by measuring them into a pitcher with some ice and then, if you’re using it, adding it to your smoking vessel. If you’re using a cocktail smoker, be sure it’s prepared before you begin to assemble your cocktail.  I know some smokers you smoke the cocktail once it’s added to the glass, but the one I have you first add smoke to a vessel by lighting a smoking pellet and trapping the smoke inside. After a couple minutes, you remove the smoking pellet, flip the vessel over and add the cocktail in, swirling it around to fully incorporate the smokey flavor into the sweet, aperol cocktail.

Once your cocktail is complete, strain and pour it into a rocks glass with a large ice cube.  Garnish with an orange peel, twisting it above the glass to allow the oils from the peel to ring out over the drink before plopping it in. Serve immediately and enjoy!