Contessa

Aperol stands in for Campari in this lighter, brighter take on the classic Negroni.

Serves
Makes 1 cocktail
Prep
5 minutes

PHOTO: MURRAY HALL • FOOD STYLING: JESSIE YUCHEN

Updated on May 16, 2024

The Contessa, a modern creation of John Gertsen, a bartender at Boston’s now-closed Drink, replaces two of the Negroni’s three ingredients: Campari is swapped for the lighter and more orangey Aperol and dry vermouth substitutes for sweet. It's more like the Negroni's third cousin than a direct descendant.

Ingredients

1 oz. Aperol
1 oz. dry vermouth
1 oz. gin
Lemon or orange twist, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

To a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice, add the Aperol, vermouth, and gin. Shake until chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Squeeze the lemon twist over the top and drop it into the glass.