A Negroni and a Spritz Walk Into a Bar — This Batched Cocktail Walks Out

Much like a Negroni, this cocktail draws on the citrusy flavors of Campari and the herbaceous notes of gin. Building on the flavors of a classic Negroni, the High and Dry calls for orange blossom water which gives the drink powerful floral citrus flavor with just a few drops — think of this like the oils expressed from an orange peel to garnish a Negroni. Award-winning bartender and cocktail content creator Kaitlyn Stewart tops the drink with sparkling wine for a light, effervescent finish.

Frequently asked questions

What is Campari? 

Known best for its role in a spritz or Negroni, Campari is an Italian aperitif made from a blend of herbs, fruits, and flowers. It has a gorgeous bright red color and a bittersweet, herbaceous flavor with a citrusy finish of lemon, orange, and even rhubarb. Campari is an example of a red bitter liqueur, a category of aperitifs that originated in 18th-century Italy and features recipes with herbs, bark, citrus peels, and other ingredients that were originally consumed as medicine. 

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen 

This bittersweet cocktail packs a boozy punch — if you’re looking for something lighter, top with additional sparkling water to lengthen the cocktail. To ensure optimal effervescence, combine the still ingredients ahead of time and chill well, then top each glass with sparkling wine right before serving. We like to top this cocktail with dry sparkling wine, something with a bit of residual sugar would also play well with the elderflower liqueur; look for a demi-sec sparkling wine if you’re using something sweet.

Make ahead

Store Campari mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Top with sparkling wine just before serving.