The Cold Brew Negroni Is Made for Summer

The classic Negroni is strong as it is simple: equal parts citrusy gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Which is probably why it’s such a popular summer cocktail, served on the rocks or in a coupe.

But there’s another beverage that claims to be ‘the drink of the summer.’ Less-watery, more caffeinated, and lower in acid, cold brew is like iced-coffee’s cooler sibling. It’s exactly what you crave as summer temperatures swell, and, just like the Negroni, it’s extremely simple to make.

But why does there have to be one summertime beverage? What if these two stars of summer combined into one coffee-cocktail power couple? Hear us out. Adding cold brew to the sweet, bitter, and herbal Negroni brings out the coffee's richness while also giving the bittersweet drink an energy boost.

In this recipe, lightly adapted from Chloë Callow’s book, Cold Brew Coffee, simply adding cold brew instead of replacing the classic Negroni ingredients keeps the flavors balanced. Making your own cold-brewed coffee gives you greater control of flavors, but feel free to use pre-bottled cold brew if you’re short on time.

Whether you’re making cold brew, a Negroni, or—ideally—a cold brew Negroni, our Shop carries all the equipment and glassware you could ever need. Here are some of our favorite coffee and cocktail items.

This article was updated in August 2023 to include the products that will help you make summer's best cocktail.

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Let us know if you think there's a clear 'drink of summer'—or other possible power couple cocktails—in the comments.