The Negroni is one of the world's most perfect cocktails. With just 3 ingredients in equal proportions—gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth—it's an incredibly simple drink and one that has inspired countless variations. One of the easiest ways to tweak a Negroni is by swapping out the base spirit, gin, for something else.
In this alcohol-free adaptation of a Mezcal Negroni, we combine For Bitter For Worse's Smoky No. 56 with non-alcoholic tequila (Free Spirits is one of our favorites) to simulate Mezcal, and the effect is spectacular. Add a bittersweet orange liqueur such as Lyre's Italian Orange and our Aromatic Bitters and you've got a shockingly convincing Negroni riff.
This isn't your typical sugary sweet mocktail—this is a sophisticated, classy zero-proof cocktail full of smoke, agave spice, and bitter citrus.
Add tequila, bittersweet liqueur, For Bitter For Worse, and All The Bitter Aromatic bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
Stir until well chilled, about 15 seconds.
Strain into a Nick and Nora (or coupe) glass.
Garnish with an orange peel, expressing the oils over the drink.
Recipe Note
MAKE IT YOUR WAY We love Free Spirits 'The Spirit of Tequila' and Lyre's Italian Orange in this recipe, but feel free to use another non-alcoholic tequila or bittersweet orange liqueur here instead. In place of For Bitter For Worse's Smokey No. 56, you could use half an ounce of strongly brewed lapsang souchong (a smoky, black tea) and half an ounce of non-alcoholic sweet vermouth, but note it will change the texture of the drink considerably.
MAKE IT MINDFULLY LOW ALCOHOL Replace the non-alcoholic bittersweet liqueur with Campari for a cocktail that's just over half the alcohol of 1 standard drink.
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