Kingston Negroni recipe
A Negroni with funky Jamaican rum in place of gin—bitter, rich, and unmistakably tropical without being sweet.
Method: Stir ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 3 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Old Fashioned Family
Ingredients
- 1 oz Jamaican Rum
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
How to make a Kingston Negroni
- Add Jamaican rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir for 20 to 25 seconds until very cold.
- Strain over one large cube in a rocks glass.
- Express an orange peel over the drink.
- Drop in the peel and serve.
Garnish
Orange peel.
Pro tip
Use a Jamaican rum with real funk but not excessive sweetness. The rum must stand up to Campari rather than disappear behind it.
History of the Kingston Negroni
Bartender Joaquín Simó created the Kingston Negroni at Death & Co. in New York in the 2000s. It is now a modern classic because the swap is simple and changes the drink completely.
Flavour profile
Bitter, Molasses, Orange, Herbal
Variations
- Kingston Sbagliato — Use 3/4 oz each rum, Campari, and vermouth, then top with sparkling wine.
- Aged Rum Negroni — Use a softer aged rum for a less funky version.
- Kingston Boulevardier — Replace Campari with an amaro and increase rum slightly.
Practise making the Kingston Negroni in the free Virtual Bar game.