I cannot let the 2024 Summer Olympics pass by without paying tribute to the host country.
You are likely thinking that a Negroni is Italian and you would be correct. However, this cocktail might be more appropriately named a French Negroni as all ingredients are French.
England’s Nick Blacknell and Wayne Collins are credited with creating this drink on a trip to France in 2011. They were staying in a small town and thought a Negroni (gin, Campari and sweet vermouth) would be refreshing on a hot day but decided to make it with French ingredients.
Both contain gin but Campari is replaced with Suze, and sweet vermouth with Lillet Blanc. Campari and Suze are herbal liqueurs and are considered an aperitivo, aperitif and amaro. The latter being the word for ‘bitter’ in Italian.
Suze is made from the great yellow gentian flower that grows in the mountains of France and Switzerland. It is what gives this drink its gorgeous yellow-orange color. It is bitter but there is an underlying sweetness.
I discovered Suze a few years ago and am quite partial to it as I like bitter liquors (thank you to my dad). I serve it with club soda (think ‘spritz’) or tonic for a light refreshing cocktail during the summer. Given that it’s a liqueur, it’s lower in alcohol (20% ABV) versus standard liquors (vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, etc.) which are usually 40% ABV or higher. To be fully transparent Suze is an acquired taste – Ed is not overly fond of it nor was a friend whom we served this cocktail to.
I prepared this cocktail using the traditional Negroni 1:1:1 ratio. If you’re new to Suze (and are daring enough to try it!), begin by using a half ounce to start and add up to a half ounce more.
Lillet Blanc smooths out this drink. It is made from Semillon wine along with citrus liqueurs and is low in alcohol as well. I used Citadelle which is a lovely French gin but any gin will do. Like with a Negroni, it doesn’t have to be an overly flavorful gin as the bitter liqueur is what shines in this drink.
Watching the Olympics has been a reminder of all of the wonderful things France has given us – architecture, art and food to name a few. This cocktail showcases some of their great spirits as well.
Learn more about Suze and other cocktails you can make with it in Liquor.com’s The 6 Best Cocktails to Make with Suze.
| White Negroni | | Print |
- 1 ounce gin (French gin preferred)
- 1 ounce Suze
- 1 ounce Lillet Blanc
- Garnish with an orange peel (see Notes)
- Fill a mixing glass with ice and add gin, Suze and Lillet Blanc. Stir until chilled.
- Strain into an old fashioned glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel.
* You can also use a grapefruit or lemon peel for garnish.
Intrigued! Love a good Negroni. Very curious about this creative twist.
Spenser – It’s an interesting variation.