Origin & Characteristics:

Let’s rewind to Florence, Italy, 1919. Picture this: Count (or maybe not-a-count) Camillo Negroni walks into Caffè Casoni on Via de' Tornabuoni. He’s a man of taste — tired of his usual Americano and craving something stronger. Bartender Fosco Scarselli obliges by swapping soda water for gin, adds a fresh orange slice instead of lemon, and just like that, a legend is born.

That bold little twist gave us the Negroni: equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. It's bittersweet, herbal, unapologetically grown-up — and over a century later, it still hasn’t gone out of style. Whether you’re in a speakeasy in New York or an aperitivo bar in Milan, the Negroni shows up like it owns the place.

But what if we give this timeless classic a completely unexpected twist?

 

A New Twist: Negroni with Tapioca Pearls

Enter: tapioca pearls. Yes, the chewy, slurpable gems made famous by bubble tea — and now, they’re crashing the aperitivo hour.

Think of it as the Negroni’s playful alter ego. That deep, bitter-orange profile now comes with a chewy texture that makes each sip a little more dynamic. The pearls soak up some of that Campari and vermouth goodness, creating bursts of bittersweet flavor as they roll across your palate.

It’s weird. It’s wonderful. And somehow... it works perfectly.
This version keeps the soul of the original but adds a sensory surprise — one that turns a slow-sipping ritual into a more interactive experience.

 

Ingredients:

 

  • 1 oz Gin
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz Sweet Red vermouth
  • Orange slices
  • 1 tbsp of Tapioca Pearls

Directions:

 

STEP 1

Fill a rocks glass with ice.

STEP 2

Pour the gin, Campari and vermouth over the ice.

STEP 3 

Quickly stir the ice in the glass down to a dilution you like, then garnish with an orange slice or two if using.

STEP 4
To Finish

Add popping boba into glass & serve

Ingridents & Directions