When it comes to cocktails, the Italian ones are some of the most beloved around the world–and the Negroni most of all–though it hasn’t always been so. It wasn’t until after WWII that cocktails, and the figure of the barmen, started to take form and become a habit of Italian drinking. Before, Italians almost exclusively drank wine–except the more affluent classes, who would “drink American” with blends of spirits and vermouth. 

But in Florence, there was one Count Camillo Negroni, a cosmopolitan man, who had lived for a long time in both London and New York. It was there, attending the trendy clubs of the city, that he met the world of mixology unknown in Italy. Returning to his birthplace at the turn of the 1920s, the young scion ordered a variant of the Americano cocktail from his trusted barman Fosco Scarselli on the ritzy Via dè Tornabuoni, substituting the soda for gin. The Negroni was born: equal parts gin, vermouth, and bright red bitters. The drink–alongside David and the Duomo–became one of Florence’s farthest-reaching icons. 

Today, the Renaissance city has one of the most stimulating bar scenes in Italy–and it’s unlikely that you will come across a poorly made Negroni (and I don’t mean a Negroni Sbagliato, meaning “wrong Negroni”, which is a variant of the original with prosecco instead of gin). That said, here are 11 noteworthy Negronis in the city that invented them: 

Caffè Gilli

I can only start with Gilli, not only because it’s the oldest café in Florence and a true institution among the Literary Cafes in Italy, but because here you will come across one of the greatest Negroni experts: Luca Picchi. Luca, in addition to being one of the best known bartenders in Tuscany (and beyond), has reconstructed the story of Count Camillo Negroni and the birth of the homonymous cocktail–and has several published books on the subject under his belt. Luca has proposed numerous twists on this extraordinary cocktail over the years, but my advice is to enjoy the classic Negroni, which has a timeless charm just like Gilli’s ambience.

Move On

Right on Piazza Duomo, this spot, which doubles as a LP store, has a Rock ‘n’ Roll soul. Luca Manni, alias Lo Sceriffo (The Sheriff), is bar manager here and a true Negroni lover. Take his Negroni Bianco “Everyday I have the Blues”–white bitters, gin, and a homemade white vermouth flavored with ginger–up to the private room with views of the Battisteo and Duomo. 

Atrium Bar & Lounge

Housed in the Palazzo della Gherardesca, this upscale spot makes you feel part of another era. Have the drink prepared directly from the Negroni trolley, accompanied by the notes of classical piano wafting through the bar. 

Locale

Locale is one of those places that makes you understand the extraordinary level that mixology has reached in Florence. In a 13th-century building, perfectly restored, bar manager Matteo di Lenno has created a real cocktail laboratory. Choose the Ghost Negroni, a reinterpretation of the highest technical level, in which the Count’s cocktail is distilled to appear more transparent than water, but with all the flavor that made us fall in love with this centuries-old drink intact.

Rasputin

Rasputin is one of few speakeasys in Florence, and if you can locate it “somewhere in Santo Spirito” (the only indication of its address given online), you’ll find a Victorian-style living room that seems straight out of an Arthur Conan Doyle book. The bar manager of this elegant and upscale establishment is Daniele Cancellara, who leads you to your table with a welcome drink, which just happens to be a mini Negroni. Daniele is an expert in all things whiskey, so it’s best you order one of the most famous Negroni twists in the world: the Boulevardier, in which the Negroni’s usual gin is subbed for whiskey.

The Fusion Bar & Restaurant 

Here, the concept of “twist on the classics” takes on a whole new meaning, with cocktails that blend Asian and South American ingredients and recipes with the flavors of Italy. A must try is the Fusion Negroni, a signature drink of Winestillery London Dry Gin, Cynar, two drops of Angostura bitters, and a homemade blend of Italian red and white vermouth, infused for 24 hours with cardamom, lemongrass, and pink grapefruit peel. Get ready for the coup de théâtre: bar manager Sacha Mecocci serves it wrapped in a cloud of cherry wood smoke flavored with bergamot.

Picteau Lounge Bar

This hotel bar on Borgo San Jacopo is a hidden gem just a stone’s throw from Ponte Vecchio. A refined setting with wood paneling and actually priceless works of art (look for the Picasso and the Jean Cocteau above the fireplace at the back of the room), Picteau Lounge Bar counts among its staff the young bartenders Marco Colonnelli and Vincenzo Civita, winners of Best Negroni during Florence Cocktail Week. Their Negroni, called “Conte di Picche”, was made with Old Tom Winestillery gin, a blend of Nardini amari, and a homemade raspberry wine. This signature cocktail may no longer be available at the bar, but choose another from their Negroni menu, called “A tribute to Conte Camillo”. 

If you are in the mood for an (expensive) celebration, opt for the “Royal Negroni”, a cocktail made with vintage bottles from the 50s, 70s, and 80s–just keep in mind the 200-euro price tag.

Empireo Rooftop Bar

With breathtaking 360-degree views of the Florence skyline, Empire Rooftop Bar can be found on the top floor of the Plaza Hotel Lucchesi. Here, sip a superlative Negroni at sunset, with excellent service thanks to Manager Gabriele Frongia and head bartender Enrico Cascella. 

Angel Roofbar & Dining

Another rooftop bar, this fresh new entry to the city is a modern space–think hanging light bulbs and red brick walls–with views of Palazzo Vecchio, Orsanmichele, and Santa Maria del Fiore. The terrace has both indoor and outdoor spaces, so it’s a good choice for any time of the day or year. Ask for General Manager Diego Rampietti’s “Improved Negroni”–you won’t regret it.

Manifattura Firenze

Manifattura is simply brilliant–with only and exclusively Italian products in the bottle, and the inexcusable flair of Fabiano Buffolino behind the counter. Fabiano has a 20-year career in the bar world behind him and knows how to combine elegance with a pinch of anarchy like no other. Here at Manifattura, the drinks are not called “cocktails” but “daring mixtures”, with a reference to the “Italianization” of terms typical of the 1930s and 40s. The bartenders dress in pharmacists’ white coats and, just like real pharmacists, know how to masterfully balance the right doses of their preparations. Try the white Negroni.

MAD Souls & Spirits

Last but not least–and the cliche holds particularly true here–MAD. A symbol of the San Frediano neighborhood, MAD is known for its refined mixology and informal, carefree environment–and the fact that they won’t serve you a spritz. Neri Fantechi and Julian Biondi launched the space in 2016, putting Lorenzo Aiosa behind the bar. Take a seat at the counter, and order the signature Negroni; there’s a pinch of madness to it.