Rum Negroni Recipe: A Spiced Rum Twist
Serves 1 · 3 mins · Rocks glass
Last updated 24 October 2026
A rum Negroni swaps the gin in a Negroni for rum. Start with equal parts: 25ml rum, 25ml Campari and 25ml sweet red vermouth. Stir with ice, strain over a fresh large cube and finish with orange peel. This version uses spiced rum for an aromatic, bittersweet drink.
Ingredients
- — 25ml Dilay 1949 Panjabi Spiced Rum
- — 25ml Campari
- — 25ml sweet red (rosso) vermouth
- — Ice cubes, plus a large cube to serve
- — Orange peel, to garnish
Method
- Add the rum, Campari and sweet red vermouth to a mixing glass.
- Fill with ice and stir for 20–30 seconds, until chilled and slightly diluted.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a fresh large ice cube.
- Squeeze the orange peel over the surface to release its oils, then place it in the glass.
Why it works
Campari supplies bitterness, sweet vermouth brings herbal sweetness, and rum changes the base spirit's character. Dilay 1949's cardamom and black pepper add aromatic spice alongside the orange garnish. No extra syrup is needed in this specification.
The classic vs the spiced version
A classic Negroni is made with gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. Rum is a variation on that template, not the original recipe. Aged rum can bring oak and richer flavours; a spice-led rum takes it in a more aromatic direction. This remains a bitter cocktail rather than a sweet rum highball.
Tips for getting it right
- — Use sweet red vermouth, not dry vermouth. It provides the sweet herbal counterpoint to Campari.
- — Stir rather than shake to keep the drink clear and avoid a foamy texture.
- — Refrigerate opened vermouth and follow the producer's storage guidance; tired vermouth can flatten the drink.
- — Equal parts are a starting point. If you want more rum character, try 30ml rum with 25ml each of Campari and vermouth on your next serve.
Related serves
For another stirred serve, try our spiced rum Old Fashioned
Prefer coffee and a shaken cocktail? Make a spiced rum espresso martini
Build a festive menu with our Christmas rum cocktails
Frequently asked questions
Can you make a Negroni with rum?
Yes. Replace gin with rum while keeping Campari and sweet red vermouth. An equal-parts rum Negroni uses 25ml of each ingredient, stirred with ice and served with orange peel.
What rum should you use for a rum Negroni?
Choose aged rum for its cask character or spiced rum for aromatic spice. This version uses Dilay 1949, a cardamom-led spiced rum with no added sugar. The vermouth still contributes sweetness to the cocktail.
Should you shake or stir a rum Negroni?
Stir it with ice for 20–30 seconds, then strain over fresh ice. Stirring chills and dilutes the drink without aerating it like shaking.
Can you use dry vermouth instead of sweet vermouth?
That makes a different, drier drink. Use sweet red or rosso vermouth for this rum Negroni recipe.
Try Dilay 1949 Panjabi Spiced Rum in this recipe.
BUY DILAY 1949 PANJABI SPICED RUMPlease drink responsibly. 18+. Visit drinkaware.co.uk for the facts.