While the Negroni is often thought of as a summer drink, it’s actually celebrated most this month. That’s because September is Negroni Month. Initially, Negroni Week fell in late September. Still, it was so popular that it expanded into a whole month of celebrating this bittersweet, boozy cocktail in bars and restaurants worldwide.
If you’ve never had one, you might not realize that the Negroni is a fairly divisive cocktail. You either love it for its bittersweet, botanical flavor profile or you dislike it and think it tastes like the numbing agent your dentist rubs on your gums before you get a shot. I’m in the former group. I love it for its complex flavor profile. I enjoy the bitter flavor of the Campari, the sweet flavor of the vermouth, and the juniper-centric botanical taste of the gin.
And while all Negronis feature vermouth and Campari, the gin you use is completely up to you. If you ask me (and you clearly are), no base is better for this iconic drink than London dry gin.
Why London dry gin is the best choice
Before I go much further, I’m not here to tell you that you’re wrong. If you enjoy the Negroni and have a gin that holds a special place in your heart, by all means use that one. Personally, I believe the London dry gin is your best option. While you can make a Negroni with any gin (artisanal, Plymouth, and others), London dry gin makes for a special base. It’s also the traditional gin style used to make a Negroni because its juniper-centric, piney, botanical flavor profile balances the bittersweet taste of Campari.
While some less juniper-heavy gins might get lost in the shuffle of all the various flavors in this drink, the bold palate and aroma of London dry gin will stand up well to the bitter and sweet flavors. On top of that, London dry gin’s dry finish is the perfect companion to the other flavors.
How I pick my London dry gins
Now that you’ve learned a little about the appeal of London dry gin when crafting a balanced Negroni, it’s time to let you in on how I pick mine. Clearly, the most important rule is that the gins are London dry gins. But I’m also looking for timeless, balanced, juniper-forward spirits that will not only balance out the sweet and bitter flavors, but also elevate the drink.
The best London dry gin for your fall Negroni
You’ve reached the most important part of this article: finding the right London dry gins to add to your home bar. Below are the best choices. Some are classic household names, and others are lesser-known upstarts; all belong in your home in perpetuity. Keep scrolling to see them all.
Tanqueray No. 10 London Dry Gin
While you can’t go wrong with the classic Tanqueray London Dry gin, this version is even better for mixing. Bartenders and drinkers alike love this 47.3% ABV gin, named for the 500-liter copper pot still called “Tiny Ten” in which it’s distilled. It has a base of juniper, licorice, angelica root, and coriander, plus fresh oranges, limes, grapefruit, and chamomile flowers. This creates a memorable gin that begins with a nose of piney juniper, ripe grapefruit, lime, and chamomile. The palate is centered on orange peels, lemongrass, grapefruit, juniper, and baking spices. The finish is long, warm, and dry, ending with a nice kick of fresh citrus and juniper. This dry, multi-layered gin is a perfect choice for a Negroni in any season.
Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Sipsmith might not have the history of some of the other gin brands on this list, but it’s no less notable. This award-winning London dry gin is flavored with myriad herbs and botanicals, including coriander from Bulgaria, Juniper from Macedonia, orange peels from Seville, lemon peels from Spain, and a handful of other ingredients. This creates a well-rounded, balanced gin that begins with aromas of pine needles, lemon peels, orange zest, and wintry spices. Sipping it reveals notes of juniper berries, candied orange peels, lemon zest, and herbal notes. The finish is long, lingers, and ends with a mix of citrus, spices, and juniper. This newer London dry gin is a great choice for a Negroni because of its effortless balance and flavor.
Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin
One of the world’s most well-known London dry gins, Bombay Sapphire is a premium gin beloved for its smooth, crisp flavor profile. Made using a proprietary vapor-infusion production method, it gets its memorable aroma and flavor from juniper berries, Lemon peel, Coriander seeds, Angelica root, Orris root, Bitter almonds, Licorice, Cassia bark, Cubeb berries, and Grains of paradise. Before your first sip, you’ll smell orange peel, juniper pine, cracked black pepper, and licorice candy. Sipping it reveals notes of candied almonds, island spices, lemon peels, and pine needles. The finish is long and warm, ending with a kick of cracked black pepper, citrus, and spices. It’s guaranteed to add a spicy, citrus-filled, piney element to your Negroni.
Beefeater London Dry Gin
A Beefeater isn’t a person who enjoys a cheeseburger from time to time. It’s actually the nickname for the Yeoman Warder, the ceremonial guardian of the Tower of London. It’s also the name of one of the most popular London dry gins of all time. And for good reason. This classic gin is infused with flavors like juniper, angelica seed, lemon peel, almond, angelica root, orris root, Seville orange peel, licorice root, and coriander seed. To make it, the herbs and botanicals are steeped in neutral grain spirit for a full day before distillation. The result is a complex, smooth, crisp, aromatic gin perfect for cocktails like the Negroni. If you take a moment to nose it, you’ll smell fresh pine needles, juniper berries, orange peels, lemongrass, licorice candy, and gentle spices. The palate is centered on notes of pine, lemon zest, orange peels, gentle spices, and an herbal hint. The finish is long and warm, ending with notes of juniper, pine, and light wintry spices.
