Aperol Negroni With a Christmas Twist Cocktail Recipe

There’s just something satisfying about taking a classic cocktail and dressing it up for the season. The Aperol Negroni is already smooth and balanced, but with a couple of tweaks, it suddenly feels right for the holidays.

This version keeps that bitter-sweet charm but throws in some warm, festive flavors. You get the bright citrus from Aperol, the depth of gin, and the richness of sweet vermouth.

But then, there’s this subtle holiday vibe that makes it special. Honestly, it’s easy to make, and it just fits at a Christmas gathering.

I’ll walk you through the ingredients, the tools you’ll want, and the quick steps to pull it all together. You’ll know exactly what flavors to expect, so you can decide if it deserves a spot on your holiday menu.

Aperol Negroni With A Christmas Twist Cocktail Recipe

I tend to make this drink when I’m after a lighter, slightly sweeter take on the classic Negroni. Aperol brings in a citrus-forward taste, and a sprinkle of holiday spices gives it that cozy, seasonal mood.

It’s simple to prepare, but still feels festive enough for a special occasion.

Equipment

• Mixing glass – for stirring and chilling without watering it down
• Bar spoon – for smooth, controlled stirring
• Jigger – so you don’t overdo any one ingredient
• Strainer – to keep the ice out of your glass
• Rocks glass – it just looks and feels right for this drink
• Large ice cubes – they melt slower, so your drink stays cold
• Citrus peeler or knife – for a nice orange peel garnish

Stirring in a mixing glass instead of shaking keeps the flavors from getting muddled. I swear by using a big ice cube—it really does keep things colder, longer.

Ingredients

• 1 oz Aperol
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• 1 oz Gin (London Dry is usually my pick)
• 2 dashes Orange Bitters
• 1 cinnamon stick (for stirring and aroma)
• 1 orange peel (as garnish)
• Optional: a few whole cloves pressed into the orange peel for that extra holiday scent

Aperol softens Campari’s bitterness but still keeps the Italian aperitif roots. Sweet vermouth brings depth, and gin gives it backbone.

The bitters and spices? That’s where the Christmas twist sneaks in.

Instructions

• Fill your mixing glass halfway with ice
• Add Aperol, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, and Gin
• Toss in the orange bitters
• Stir for about 20–25 seconds, just until it’s nicely chilled
• Strain into a rocks glass over a big ice cube
• Garnish with the orange peel, pressing the oils over the drink first
• Optionally, give it a stir with a cinnamon stick for that aroma

I usually press the cloves into the orange peel before dropping it in. The scent gets stronger, but the drink stays balanced.

Notes

I’m a fan of equal parts Aperol, Campari, vermouth, and gin—makes for a balanced flavor. If you’re after something lighter, you could drop the gin to 0.75 oz and bump up the Aperol a bit.

Serving this as an aperitif before dinner is a solid move. The cinnamon stick? Totally optional, but it adds a cozy warmth that just feels right this time of year.

If you’re out of orange bitters, you can skip them, though they really help tie the citrus and spice together.

Tasting Notes

Taking that first sip, the bright orange hue from the Aperol jumps out at me. It’s definitely lighter than a classic Negroni, but there’s still a gentle bitterness hanging around.

There’s a cozy aroma from the Christmas spices—kind of like walking into a kitchen during the holidays. Sweet citrus hits first, then those herbal gin notes start to peek through.

The subtle spice is there too, and honestly, it reminds me a bit of holiday baking. Compared to a White Negroni or a Negroni Sbagliato, the bitterness here is much softer.

The finish is pretty clean, just a light sweetness that sticks around for a bit. I appreciate that it doesn’t totally take over my palate—makes it easy to linger over.

There’s a nice balance between the Aperol and the gin, which I didn’t expect. The vermouth really brings it all together, giving the whole thing a smooth, almost creamy texture.

Honestly, it’s pretty easy to drink, even if you usually find Negronis a bit too bitter.