In the world of cocktails, the Negroni Sbagliato had a moment recently with the resurgence of the cocktail, thanks in part to a viral moment on TikTok. Known as a happy accident, what’s the true story behind this light and fizzy drink? Let's dive into the truth about the Sbagliato, find out more about the legend and the story, embrace imperfection, and explore how to create delightful variations at home.
A Star Moment on TikTok
In late 2022, thanks to a viral TikTok video featuring stars Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke from HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon’, the Negroni Sbagliato rocketed into the public eye for a while. The cocktail is a twist on a classic Negroni, as Emma beautifully described: ‘A Negroni. Sbagliato. With Prosecco in it!’
Of course, it sounded sexy the way Emma explained it, mispronouncing it with a G in an English accent. The (correct) Italian pronunciation should be “spal - yar - toe”. But this article’s all about embracing mistakes so let’s celebrate the drink, regardless of how you say it.
The internet went crazy. New videos with the hashtag #NegroniSbagliato exploded as viewers became intrigued by the name and curious about the drink itself. And as TikTok brought Sbagliato back into the spotlight it showcased its delightful simplicity and refreshing taste. As the video escalated to tens of millions of views and demand surged, bars around the world stocked up on Prosecco.
What is a Negroni Sbagliato?
In essence, it’s a twist on the classic Negroni, the more famous (and more potent) equal-parts cocktail that combines gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. The Negroni Sbagliato keeps equal parts of Campari and vermouth, ditching the gin for sparkling Italian wine (typically Prosecco) resulting in a lighter, more refreshing drink with a touch of effervescence. Depending on taste, it no longer even needs to be an equal parts cocktail. Extra prosecco can make it into a longer, highball drink.
The Beauty of Mistakes: From Blunder to Beloved Beverage
The name of the drink translates from Italian to mean "Negroni Mistake" or “Mistaken Negroni” and its origin story reflects that. Legend has it that in 1972, at Milan's famed Bar Basso, bartender Mirko Stocchetto accidentally grabbed a bottle of sparkling wine instead of gin while making a Negroni for a customer. A fizzy Negroni was served and as a result, given a cute new name. Many cocktail historians cast doubt on this tale because of the lack of historical evidence to support the incident. They also point out the logistical improbability of a seasoned bartender confusing a gin bottle with prosecco (or Asti Spumante which may have been more likely at the time). Regardless of its exact origin, the Sbagliato reminds us to go with the flow and gracefully embrace our mistakes. It's a testament to the creativity and resourcefulness of Mirko that led to decades of unexpected delights. In a world obsessed with perfection, the Sbagliato reminds us that sometimes, happy accidents can result in something truly special. And that even 50+ years on, an old-fashioned drink can have a resurgence in a new world. The popularity of the classic Negroni is still on a growth trajectory even if all the fuss has now seemingly died down again about the Sbagliato.
Maurizio Stocchetto, on how his father’s mistake made history
Image credit: Lea Anouchinsky
While the mistaken identity story may or may not be entirely verifiable, Mirko Stocchetto is credited with creating the Negroni Sbagliato whether it was by accident or design. Bar Basso in Milan is considered the spiritual home of the drink, and it’s still served there today in their signature oversized glasses. If you’ve a cheeky origin story, bigger is surely better?
Because the inventor died in 2016 the truth of the story cannot be verified but looking into the legend a little deeper, an interview with Mirko’s son Maurizio (himself a bartender at Bar Basso for more than 40 years and now owner) revealed a little more of the story about his father’s ‘mistake’ and the large glasses he designed for it to be served in.
‘How often in life do we make mistakes and cast them aside without a second thought? There’s a beautiful lesson here. Mirko’s drink didn’t go down the sink, he decided to go with it, call himself out, rename the drink a Mistaken Negroni and, as my own Dad used to teach me, “turn a fault into a feature.”’
Founded in 1930, Bar Basso Milan was named after its previous owner before the Stocchetto family came to town. Maurizio’s father, a bartender from Venice, took over from Basso in 1967. Aiming for a high-end cocktail bar, he arrived during a social shift. Women were gaining independence and bars were becoming more popular which inspired him to create several lighter cocktails, like the Negroni Sbagliato, using sparkling wine instead of only strong spirits. The Sbagliato's birth thus mirrored the changing times.
So, despite "sbagliato" meaning mistake, it seems it may have been intentional. Maurizio tells how his father Mirko claimed the accident happened when he grabbed Prosecco instead of gin. He also says his father was a confident bartender so it’s more likely that on realising this ‘mistake’, he went ahead and poured the Prosecco into the glass anyway, happy with the outcome he kept the drink and instantly gave it a new name. “So”, he tells of the happy accident, “the name was catchy and the drink cheeky.” Mirko always felt if you live in Italy and you like sweet vermouth and Campari, the addition of sparkling wine would keep the flavour of the base, making for a lighter all-Italian drink. Mirko still loved the classic Negroni. This was just a riff on the original that stuck.
And that’s the beauty of never letting the truth get in the way of a good story. Even if the mistake element has been embellished over the decades, really the story celebrates the inherent charm of imperfection and the creator’s quick thinking. Great discoveries often spring from unexpected moments. The Sbagliato reminds us that sometimes the best things in life can’t be planned. They come from embracing the unexpected, a sentiment that still resonates deeply in our social media-driven world today.
How do you Make a Negroni Sbagliato?
Here are four versions you can try (or invent your version and embrace imperfection!)
The Classic Sbagliato
Ingredients
30ml Campari
30ml Sweet Vermouth
Stir in glass
Top with chilled Prosecco
Garnish with orange peel
Method
Pour the Campari and vermouth into a glass over ice. Top up with Prosecco and stir gently enough to combine everything without killing off those bubbles. Orange slice for the perfect garnish!
The Aperol Sbagliato - for a lighter, sweeter twist
Ingredients
30ml Aperol
30ml Sweet Vermouth
Stir in glass
Top with chilled Prosecco
Garnish with orange peel
Method
Exactly the same as above, but using the ever so slightly sweeter Aperol for a subtle difference.
The Sbagliato Royale - for a touch of luxury
Ingredients
30ml Aperol
30ml Sweet Vermouth
Stir in glass
Top with chilled Champagne
Garnish with orange peel
Method
Exactly the same as above, but leave out the ice to avoid dilution!
The Sbagliato Spritz - for more bubbles
Ingredients
30ml Aperol
30ml Sweet Vermouth
Stir in glass
Top with chilled Prosecco and soda
Garnish with orange peel
Method
Follow the original but just add a splash of soda water as well for a more spritzy, highball experience.
Batching these variations is a great idea for entertaining. Simply combine equal measures of Campari (or Aperol) and sweet vermouth in a pitcher beforehand. When guests arrive, you can whip up individual Sbagliatos in seconds by topping off each serving with chilled bubbles and garnish.
The lighter profile of the Sbagliato makes it a delightful brunch companion, the Sbagliato's bubbly personality is versatile and perfect companion for many different events like brunch, BBQs, late afternoon Soirées, book clubs… pretty much any occasion. The Sbagliato's sophistication and refreshing nature make it ideal.
The Negroni Sbagliato's recent resurgence has been a testament to the enduring appeal of a well-crafted cocktail. Whether it was born from a happy accident or a stroke of brilliance, this delightful drink is a reminder to embrace the unexpected and celebrate the deliciousness of mistakes.
Your own variation may even become your new “it” drink. Sometimes our most delicious creations come from the willingness to be more experimental and less afraid of a little Sbagliato. Cheers to happy accidents!
By Robbie Jerram
