The Best Cold Brew Negroni Riff Recipe!

This post is going to show you how to make a delicious Cold Brew Negroni Riff!

The classic recipe for a Negroni is quite simple, only using three ingredients and all in equal parts. The Italians chose to keep their flavors bitter, bold, and upfront. While a classic Negroni will always hit the spot, the door to creativity is always open.

Bartenders across the world have used the Negroni template to create their own unique creations! One of the most recognizable may be the Boulevardier which substitutes whiskey for gin.

The recipe I will be sharing with you today is an original Sweet Recipe! I created this behind the bar when a couple of guests showed interest in our Nocino Liqueur. That liqueur became one of the key ingredients for this delicious cold brew Negroni. I am beyond excited for you all to try this flavorful, deep, velvety glass of sweet nectar!

Let’s get right into it! I call this:

“Night Shade”

What You Will Need

Alcohol:

The magical ingredient in this cold brew Negroni recipe is definitely Nocino Liqueur! I love the bottle by Il Mallo, produced in Italy. This liqueur is made from the green husks of fresh walnuts. Through the process, sugar and spices are added to give this liqueur its deep and rich flavor. On the nose you will get a deep nutty aroma, and on the palate you will get notes of cinnamon, chocolate, cloves, and of course, walnuts! Traditionally this can be sipped after dinner, but it can also be enjoyed on a cold fall day, or added into unique cocktails for a burst of flavor!

I will admit this is not the easiest bottle to find, but I have always had luck getting tough to find bottles through Re-up Liquor! The bottles always come packaged very nicely, undamaged, and promptly. The shipping fee can be a little pricey, but trust me when I say there is really no replacement for this delicious liqueur. I will attach a link to check out this bottle on Re-up right HERE!

Next ingredient for this tasty cold brew Negroni is Buffalo Trace Bourbon! This recipe called for another spirit with a little depth, and bourbon is the first thing that came to mind. This bourbon is rich with sweet notes of cinnamon, molasses, and brown sugar. The spices and complexity of this bourbon marry perfectly with the notes of the Nocino Liqueur. Buffalo Trace is very affordable and available at most stores that sell liquor such as Bevmo, Walmart, and Total Wine and More! Be sure to get this bottle and add it into your home bar, it will never disappoint!

For an additional pop of flavor in this cold brew Negroni I like to add just a bit of Vanille De Madagascar by Giffard! This liqueur brings forth a deliciously pure vanilla flavor with just a bit of spice on the palate. It goes so well with all of the other components that are happening in this cocktail. This bottle is also a tough find, but once again Re-up Liquor saves the day! I was able to find this bottle within seconds on the website and ordered it immediately. My packages always come promptly and undamaged. I will leave a link for this exact bottle on Re-up right HERE!

Other Ingredients:

This wouldn’t be a cold brew Negroni without the cold brew! I chose to pick up some Chameleon Cold Brew. This stuff is great and very easily accessible. I got my bottle at Whole Foods but I have also seen this at Target and a few other Grocery Stores! Whatever brand you choose to get just make sure it is black without any additional flavoring. The cold brew really brings the whole recipe full circle!

Bar Supplies:

The first few bar items you will need to have on deck are a Mixing Glass and a Jigger! Mixing glasses are used to stir cocktails rather than shake them. You usually do this with spirit forward cocktails that contain no citrus. Stirring a cocktail in a mixing glass helps maintain bold flavors with a silky smooth texture. You are diluting the cocktail a little less compared to when you shake it so all of those flavorful notes stay very prominent! You can check out a mixing glass just like mine right HERE!

A Jigger is how you will measure the ingredients you are putting into your cocktail! I’m pretty strict on using a jigger. An amazing cocktail will always be balanced, consistent, and beautiful, and you can truly attain that when using a jigger! My jigger in the photo above ranges from 1/4 oz all the way to 2 oz of liquid. Check out one identical to mine right HERE!

If you’re looking for a simplified beginner jigger I have just the one for you. It only has one side, very clear measurement lines, and a little pour spout! I used this when I was just starting out and it really helped me gain confidence behind the bar. I will attach the exact jigger I used to use right HERE!

To stir this delicious cold brew Negroni you will need a Bar Spoon! A bar spoon is a must have for your home bar! It will help you stir cocktails with ease. As you can see I let the bar spoon rest between my middle and ring finger of my dominant hand. I guide the spoon around in circles with my thumb as the spoon is balanced by my index finger. I always like to have the bottom of the spoon facing outwards towards the glass. This helps me get a smooth rhythm going while I stir! You will be able to pick this up in no time, just remember to let the glass guide you! You can check out a bar spoon just like mine right HERE!

Since we are using a mixing glass for our cocktail we will need a Julep Strainer! The julep strainer tucks easily into the top of the mixing glass to hold back all of the ice as you pour your cocktail into your glassware. Make sure you have a firm grip on your mixing glass with your thumb as you hover above your delicate glass. If you want a julep strainer just like mine check out this link RIGHT HERE!

Arguably one of the most important final touches to this cold brew Negroni cocktail is the heavy spritz of lemon at the end! Lemon really just does something to coffee. It enhances it in all the good ways! To get a nice thick peel you will want to use a Y-Peeler. While these things are fantastic and super handy, be sure to be extra careful! They are sharp and a cut from one of those bad boys is never fun. You can get a Y-peeler at almost any grocery or cooking store. You can also check out the same one I use right HERE!

I also must mention that you will need ICE. Lots of people have fridges with an ice dispenser which is perfect for you to use. Alas, if you do not have accessible fridge ice, AKA ME, you will have to freeze your own! I use a silicone perfect ice cube tray. You can find an identical one that comes with a LID right HERE! I am lucky enough to have a cocktail store near me as well that  carries perfect ice in every size but that is not always the most affordable option. I would still suggest you check if any such stores exist near your location! Although a little more pricey, definitely worth it in quality!!!

If you’re interested in large square ice cube molds you can check out an excellent option right HERE!

I do recommend that if you are starting to create multiple cocktails at home, you should invest in your own personal Bartending Kit. Most come with everything you will need as a beginner while others provide several items for more complex creations. I will put links to both a beginners set, and a more advanced set on Amazon below!

Beginners Kit : HERE

Advanced Kit : HERE

Let’s Build!