The Kingston Negroni: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

A ruby-red glow flickers in the low light, thick and luxurious in the glass. It smells of smoke and spice, molasses and orange peel—a Negroni that traded its Italian suit for island linen. The Kingston Negroni is the soulful Caribbean cousin of one of the world’s most iconic cocktails. Born from simplicity and rebellion, it swaps gin for Jamaican rum, creating something at once classic and primal, elegant and funky.

I. Origins

The Kingston Negroni was conceived during the early 2010s, a golden period for rediscovery and reinvention in cocktail culture. Bartenders around the world were reexamining the Negroni, that eternal trinity of gin, vermouth, and Campari.

At the forefront of this exploration was Giuseppe González, a New York bartender of Puerto Rican descent, whose deep understanding of rum and balance defined a generation of drinks. In 2013, while working at Golden Cadillac and later The Suffolk Arms, González applied the Negroni’s formula to a different base: Jamaican rum—specifically Smith & Cross, a high-ester navy-strength spirit known for its wild, funky intensity.

By replacing gin’s botanical crispness with Jamaican rum’s earthy heat, he created a version that honored the Negroni’s simplicity while transforming its soul. It was bold, aromatic, and unapologetically tropical—a Negroni that sounded like reggae instead of jazz.

The drink’s name pays tribute to Kingston, Jamaica’s capital and cultural heart, and to the rum that made it sing.

II. Historical Evolution

The Negroni Lineage

The classic Negroni originated in Florence, Italy, around 1919. Count Camillo Negroni famously asked a bartender to strengthen his Americano by swapping soda for gin, birthing one of history’s most enduring cocktails.

Its three-part balance—bitter (Campari), sweet (vermouth), and strong (gin)—became a universal template. Over time, bartenders experimented:

• Boulevardier (bourbon)

• Old Pal (rye whiskey and dry vermouth)

• Agavoni (mezcal or tequila)

The Kingston Negroni joined this lineage as the rum-based heir, the Caribbean interpretation of Italian minimalism.

The Modern Rum Renaissance

By the 2010s, rum was shedding its reputation as a one-note party spirit. Artisanal distilleries and cocktail historians were celebrating rum’s vast regional diversity—from agricole to navy-style.

González’s Kingston Negroni captured this cultural moment perfectly. It was rum’s Negroni—complex, assertive, and anchored in heritage. The use of Smith & Cross was especially symbolic: its bold esters, pot-still funk, and maritime strength represented Jamaica’s distinct rum identity, often referred to as “hogo,” or the spirit’s soulful funk.

III. Ingredients & Technique

At first glance, the Kingston Negroni is deceptively simple: equal parts rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth. But in truth, it’s a lesson in balance and restraint.

Key Ingredients

• Jamaican Rum (Smith & Cross or similar) – Funky, overproof, and pot-stilled. Delivers notes of banana, molasses, and allspice.

• Campari – The crimson backbone, adding bitterness and color.

• Sweet Vermouth – A rich Italian-style vermouth like Carpano Antica or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino provides depth and sweetness.

Flavor Architecture

Where gin’s botanicals make the classic Negroni crisp and linear, Jamaican rum transforms it into something deeper and rounder. Campari’s bitterness cuts through the rum’s heavy esters, while vermouth bridges the gap, adding softness and spice.

The result: a drink that feels familiar yet entirely new—a tropical dusk version of the Italian aperitivo sunset.

IV. Cultural Significance

The Kingston Negroni is a symbol of cultural hybridity. It represents the point where European refinement meets Caribbean rebellion—where the aperitivo hour collides with the rhythm of reggae.

In mixological terms, it signifies a pivotal moment in rum’s cultural rehabilitation. Bartenders no longer treated rum as a one-size-fits-all category; they explored its terroir, fermentation, and heritage. The Kingston Negroni became a gateway, introducing gin drinkers to rum’s complex spectrum.

Symbolism

• Rebellion: It takes a sacred classic and flips it with swagger.

• Respect: Despite the audacity, it honors the Negroni’s balance.

• Identity: It celebrates Jamaican rum as a spirit of character and tradition, not novelty.

In the same way the Boulevardier made bourbon cosmopolitan, the Kingston Negroni made rum cerebral.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Kingston Negroni

Ingredients

• 1 oz (30 ml) Jamaican rum (Smith & Cross recommended)

• 1 oz (30 ml) Campari

• 1 oz (30 ml) sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica Formula preferred)

Method

1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.

2. Stir until well chilled (about 25–30 seconds).

3. Strain into a double Old Fashioned glass over a large clear ice cube.

4. Express an orange peel over the drink and drop it in.

Specs

• Glass: Double Old Fashioned

• Ice: One large cube

• Garnish: Orange peel (expressed)

• Style: Spirit-forward, stirred

Technique Notes

• Choose a robust rum; delicate white rums will be overwhelmed by Campari.

• For a more approachable version, blend ¾ oz Smith & Cross with ¼ oz aged Jamaican rum (like Appleton 12).

• Stir gently but thoroughly—too much dilution muddies the flavors.

• If using a very bold vermouth, reduce to ¾ oz to let the rum shine.

Variations & Lineage

• White Kingston: Use lightly aged Jamaican rum for a brighter, citrusy twist.

• Boulevardier Kingston: Add ¼ oz of overproof rum to the classic bourbon Boulevardier.

• Agave Kingston: Split base with mezcal for a smoky tropical hybrid.

• Frozen Kingston: Blend with crushed ice for a sultry summer rendition.

Service & Pairing Tip

• Serve as a pre-dinner cocktail or slow sipper.

• Pairs beautifully with jerk chicken, grilled plantains, or dark chocolate.

• Best enjoyed in moody lighting with reggae or jazz softly in the background.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

Today, the Kingston Negroni is enshrined as a modern classic—appearing on menus at influential bars like Death & Co., Smuggler’s Cove, and Trailer Happiness in London.

Its influence extends beyond rum: it redefined what a Negroni could be, proving the formula’s versatility. By swapping gin for a bold spirit, González demonstrated that “Negroni” had become less a recipe and more a framework—an open language for balance.

The drink also fueled renewed interest in high-ester Jamaican rums, especially traditional pot-still distilleries like Hampden Estate and Worthy Park. These rums, once considered too intense for mainstream palates, are now celebrated for their individuality—and the Kingston Negroni was a key catalyst.

In a sense, it’s the punk version of the Negroni: familiar melody, louder energy.

It remains an act of joyful subversion—proof that reverence for the classics doesn’t mean rigidity.