Phony Negroni Recipe

Chill glass

Place an old-fashioned glass (rocks glass) in the freezer for 5–10 minutes or fill it with ice water to chill while you prepare the drink.

Combine ingredients

In a mixing glass or a separate glass, add 3 oz non-alcoholic red aperitif, 1 oz non-alcoholic gin-style spirit, and 1 oz non-alcoholic bitter (Campari-style). If using, add 2 dashes non-alcoholic orange bitters and 0.25 tsp simple syrup. The optional additions help round bitterness or enhance orange aromatics.

Add ice and stir

Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes (enough to come near the top). Stir gently but steadily with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds (about 15–20 full rotations) until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted. This chills the drink and smooths the flavors.

Prepare serving glass

Discard the chilling ice or water from your chilled old-fashioned glass. Place 1–2 large ice cubes or a single large sphere into the glass (the recipe lists 3 pieces total; use remaining cubes for stirring).

Strain and pour

Using a julep or Hawthorne strainer, strain the chilled mixture from the mixing glass into the prepared serving glass over the large ice cube(s).

Express the orange oil

Take the orange peel and hold it with the outside (zest) facing down over the drink. Give it a firm twist to express the oils across the surface, then rub the peel around the rim of the glass to release aroma and drop it into the drink as garnish.

Serve

Serve immediately. Encourage sipping slowly to appreciate the bitter-sweet balance. If the drink tastes too bitter, stir in a tiny additional pinch (up to 0.25 tsp) of simple syrup and taste again.