Negroni Bianco with an Oyster

I recently took a dream trip to Italy with Luxardo that completely changed the way I think about liqueurs. On Day 2 of the trip, we boarded a private boat and explored traditional oyster beds. When we returned to land, I was served my favorite cocktail of the entire trip alongside our fresh shucked oysters. Let me just say, this Luxardo Negroni Bianco is not your average Negroni. Let’s recreate it!

Make It With Me

1. Add the Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Luxardo London Dry Gin, Cocchi Americano, Chamomile Bitters, and Rhubarb Bitters to a mixing glass.
2. Fill with ice and stir until well chilled, about 20–30 seconds.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
4. Garnish with a freshly shucked oyster.

Pro Tip: Add a small splash of the oyster’s natural liquor (the brine inside the shell) to the cocktail before serving for an extra savory, briny finish.

What is a Negroni Bianco?

The Classic Negroni is an equal-parts cocktail of Campari + Gin + Sweet Vermouth. But the Negroni Bianco, or White Negroni, swaps the colorful liqueurs for clear, botanical spirits instead. Luxardo Bitter Bianco, which happened to be my favorite Luxardo product of the whole trip, is one of the most common clear liqueurs used in a Negroni Bianco. The version I had on the coast of Italy also used Luxardo London Dry Gin and Cocchi Americano as the vermouth substitute. We added Luxardo Chamomile Bitters and Rhubarb Bitters to amp up the magical botanical flavors for a truly special cocktail I will never forget.

Pairing Cocktails with Oysters

The only time you’ve probably thought about making a cocktail with oysters is in an Oyster Shooter (a fresh oyster at the bottom of a shot glass topped with cocktail sauce and vodka). This is definitely not that. This Negroni Bianco is enjoyed with a freshly shucked oyster served right in the shell alongside the cocktail. No shooting, no sauce.

Fresh oysters are such a beautiful and natural pairing with booze-forward cocktails like a Negroni Bianco (or martini) because their natural brine adds a savory saltiness that balances the liquor perfectly. On my dream Italy trip, we even added a splash of Bitter Bianco to the fresh oyster before knocking it back. It was insanely delicious.

Where to Get Fresh Oysters

Getting fresh oysters is often easier if you live near the ocean, but you can sometimes find them at specialty seafood stores further inland. In San Diego, I always buy my oysters from Mitch’s Seafood. Look for a local fisherman near you!

When buying oysters, make sure the shells are tightly closed and smell like the sea, but not unappealingly fishy. Store them immediately in a bowl in the fridge covered with a damp towel. Do NOT submerge them in fresh water or ice that will melt.

If you don’t want to buy and prepare your own oysters, but are seriously craving them now, order a dozen fresh oysters on the half shell and a Negroni Bianco next time you go out! You can pretend you’re in Italy.

Negroni Bianco Ingredients

Luxardo Bitter Bianco

A clear Italian liqueur with 30% ABV that is very common in a Negroni Bianco. It’s very citrusy with a smoother, sweeter flavor than the traditional Campari liqueur used in a classic Negroni. You could use Suze or Italicus Bitter White instead.

Luxardo London Dry Gin

An Italian, juniper-forward gin that is perfect for a gin-forward cocktail like a Negroni or martini. Use any other high-quality, juniper-forward gin for your Negroni Bianco. Check out my Gin Guide for specific recommendations.

Cocchi Americano

Cocchi Americano acts as the dry vermouth substitute for our Negroni Bianco. It’s an amortized wine with 16.5% ABV made with a Moscato wine base. The citrus notes make it the perfect addition to our Luxardo Negroni Bianco. You can use any dry vermouth instead.

Luxardo Chamomile Bitters

This is the ingredient that really takes this Negroni Bianco to the next level. The Chamomile Bitters are one of Luxardo’s newest products and its floral, honey notes pair perfectly with their juniper-forward gin. Add it to this Hot Honey Apricot Bee’s Knees.

Luxardo Rhubarb Bitters

The finishing touch is the Luxardo Rhubarb Bitters, which adds a sweet-sour balance with a hint of rhubarb bitterness. It goes perfectly with the subtle rhubarb notes in the Bitter Bianco. Add it to this Spring Rhubarb Spritz.

Tips for Making the Best Negroni Bianco

• Use a juniper-forward gin. A Negroni demands a strong gin with lots of botanical flavor.
• Stir the ingredients for 20-30 seconds. Stirring the ingredients of a booze-forward cocktail in an ice-filled is really important not just for chilling, but for diluting the cocktail so it’s actually drinkable.
• Buy fresh oysters from a trusted source.
• Add a small splash of the oyster’s natural liquor (the brine inside the shell) to the cocktail before serving for an extra savory, briny finish.
• Add a splash of Luxardo Bitter Bianco to the oyster before eating.

When to Serve It

• Special Occasions: There’s no denying this isn’t your average weeknight cocktail. I would pull this one out when you want to impress your guests or woo a special someone. Think date night, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and intimate holiday parties.
• Seaside Sipping: Whether you live or vacation by the ocean, enjoy a night with a view of the sea, Negroni Bianco in one hand, tray of freshly shucked raw oysters on ice in the other.

Negroni Bianco Variations

• If you love this recipe, try the Classic Negroni with Campari and Sweet Vermouth, too!
• Make it a Negroni Sour by shaking it up with an egg white and adding lemon juice, like in my Smoked Rosemary Negroni Sour, Winter Negroni Sour, and Smoked Thyme Bianco Negroni Sour.
• Swap the gin for mezcal, like in this Mezcal Negroni or Smoked Cinnamon Negroni.
• Infuse your Negroni Bianco with fruit, like this Plum Negroni Sour, Spring Negroni, and Chocolate Strawberry Negroni.
• For a lower ABV version of a Negroni that swaps the gin for soda water, try a classic Americano cocktail. You can make it with Bitter Bianco or Campari.