We’ve seen scores of variations but often a standard (well almost) by the book Negroni is just right.

This one enjoyed at Flights Wine & Whiskey Bar. It was just right.   This great bar, now closed,  replaced by Raconteur on Marble Street in Pleasantville, NY  which is quote good.

Equal parts

New Amsterdam Gin

Carpanno Antica Formula Vermouth

Campari

Stirred well and served over a big cold rock of ice with an orange twist. Delicious.

I asked Sean the bartender his secret and he replied I just follow the recipe and use first rate ingredients.

The variation here is using a “New Western” gin in place of your typical “London Dry.”

Why New Amsterdam Gin Works in a Negroni

When making a Negroni, the choice of gin matters more than many people realize. Classic London Dry gins like Beefeater or Tanqueray bring a bold piney punch, loaded with juniper. But New Amsterdam takes a very different approach, and that’s why it works so well in this cocktail.

New Amsterdam is part of the “New Western” style of gin. Instead of leading with juniper, it emphasizes citrus and floral notes. That softer profile means the Campari can step forward with all its bittersweet complexity, rather than competing head-to-head with a forest of juniper. The result is a Negroni that feels brighter and smoother, with Campari’s orange peel and herbal bite in the spotlight.

The sweeter notes of vermouth also find more room to play here. A rich vermouth like Carpano Antica or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino blends easily into New Amsterdam’s citrus backbone, producing a rounder, less spiky cocktail. It’s the difference between a drink that challenges you and one that invites you in.

There’s also a practical reason: New Amsterdam is affordable and widely available. When you’re mixing Negronis by the pitcher for a party, you want something dependable that won’t break the bank — and this gin delivers without compromise.

For many people, New Amsterdam creates what might be called a “gateway Negroni.” It tempers the harsher edges and makes the drink approachable for those who may be tasting one for the first time. From there, it’s easy to branch out and explore how different gins transform the cocktail.

In short, New Amsterdam gin gives you a Negroni that’s citrusy, smooth, and easy to love. Not a bad place to start — or to stay.