The Sbagliato: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Some cocktails are born from precision; others from beautiful accidents. The Negroni Sbagliato—most often shortened simply to the Sbagliato—belongs firmly to the latter. A mistaken pour of sparkling wine instead of gin created one of Italy’s most effortless and iconic aperitivo cocktails. Herbaceous, bubbly, bittersweet, and irresistibly drinkable, the Sbagliato has become a global favorite not only for its flavor but for the way it captures aperitivo culture at its most playful.

I. Origins

Italy’s Most Charming Cocktail Mistake

The name sbagliato means “mistaken” or “wrong” in Italian, hinting at the cocktail’s origin story. According to Milanese bartending lore, the Sbagliato was invented in the 1970s at Bar Basso, one of the world’s most influential design-era bars. The legend goes that a busy bartender reached for a bottle of gin when making a Negroni but accidentally grabbed spumante (Italian sparkling wine) instead.

Instead of discarding the drink, he tasted it—and discovered a revelation.

The result was a brighter, more effervescent, low-ABV version of the Negroni, perfectly suited to Milan’s aperitivo culture.

The Cultural Setting

The 1970s Milanese bar scene was a mix of:

• bohemian creatives

• fashion designers

• architects

• industrial designers

• young professionals embracing aperitivo hour

Bar Basso was the epicenter of this energy. The Sbagliato became its unofficial house drink—a symbol of casual sophistication.

II. Historical Evolution

From Local Favorite to International Icon

Though it originated in the 1970s, the Sbagliato remained mostly a Milanese insider drink until the late 1990s and 2000s, when:

• bar culture globalized

• amari and bitter liqueurs became fashionable again

• wine bars expanded their cocktail offerings

• lower-ABV drinks gained popularity

• travel journalism began highlighting Italian aperitivo rituals

The Sbagliato’s approachable flavor profile helped it travel far beyond Milan. It offered the Negroni’s bitterness without its alcoholic punch.

The Viral Moment

In 2022, the Sbagliato experienced a global renaissance when a short interview clip featuring the phrase “Negroni Sbagliato… with Prosecco in it” ignited social media. Searches, bar orders, and sales of Campari and Prosecco surged.

The Sbagliato became the drink of the year—not because it was new, but because it was charmingly simple, delicious, and visually stunning.

Refinement in Modern Bars

Today’s bartenders interpret the Sbagliato with:

• artisanal vermouths

• seasonal garnishes

• Champagne instead of Prosecco

• house-made bitters blends

• aperitivo-forward tasting menus

It has become a modern aperitivo classic in both its original and elevated forms.

III. Ingredients & Technique

The Sbagliato honors Italy’s holy trinity of aperitivo elements: bitter, sweet, sparkling.

1. Campari (or bitter aperitivo)

Campari is traditional—bright red, bracing, and unmistakably Italian. It provides:

• gentian-root bitterness

• citrus peel

• herbal warmth

• signature color

Some modern bars use alternative bitter liqueurs for unique profiles, but Campari remains the canonical choice.

2. Sweet Vermouth

The vermouth is essential for elegance. Use:

• high-quality sweet vermouth

• ideally a Turin-style vermouth

• well-chilled and fresh

Flavors include vanilla, cocoa, wormwood, and dried fruit.

3. Sparkling Wine

Classic: ProseccoIt gives:

• effervescence

• fruit-forward softness

• low-ABV balance

Other options:

• Dry Cava (crisper)

• Crémant (more minerality)

• Champagne (for a luxurious version)

4. Garnish

Traditional: orange slice or twistAlternative: blood orange wheel, grapefruit peel for added aroma.

5. Glass & Ice

The Sbagliato is always built in the glass—never shaken. Serve in:

• a large wine glass (modern)

• a rocks glass (traditional)

• full ice cubes for longevity

IV. Cultural Significance

Aperitivo at Its Most Modern

The Sbagliato bridges the old and the new:

• The Negroni (1919)

• Milanese sparkling wine culture

• 1970s design-forward bar identity

• 21st-century low-ABV drinking movement

It embodies Italy’s lifestyle philosophy:

• Slow down.

• Share a drink.

• Stimulate appetite.

• Celebrate the ritual.

Low-ABV Appeal

The Sbagliato is part of a broader cultural shift toward:

• sessionable cocktails

• drinks that refresh rather than overwhelm

• cocktails that pair well with food

• aperitivo culture becoming globalized

Aesthetic Longevity

Its vibrant red hue and effervescent bubbles make it stunning in photos, fueling its popularity and staying power.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Sbagliato

Ingredients

• 1 oz (30 ml) Campari

• 1 oz (30 ml) sweet vermouth

• 3 oz (90 ml) Prosecco (or other dry sparkling wine)

• Garnish: orange wheel or twist

Method

1. Fill a large wine glass or rocks glass with ice.

2. Add Campari.

3. Add sweet vermouth.

4. Gently pour Prosecco over top.

5. Give one slow stir.

6. Garnish with an orange wheel or expressed twist.

Specs

• Glass: Wine glass or rocks glass

• Ice: Large cubes

• Garnish: Orange wheel

• Style: Sparkling aperitivo

Technique Notes

• Keep vermouth refrigerated for freshness.

• Add Prosecco last to preserve carbonation.

• A gentle stir prevents over-dilution.

• Adjust bitterness by modifying Campari-to-vermouth ratio.

Variations & Lineage

• Sbagliato Royale: Use Champagne instead of Prosecco.

• White Sbagliato: Use Bianco vermouth + white bitter aperitivo.

• Americano Sbagliato: Use soda water instead of Prosecco.

• Sbagliato Rosato: Use rosé Prosecco for berry aromatics.

• Cynar Sbagliato: Replace Campari with Cynar for earthy, vegetal complexity.

Service & Pairing Tip

Pairs perfectly with:

• olives and almonds

• burrata and tomatoes

• prosciutto and melon

• focaccia and anchovies

• fried snacks (arancini, calamari)

Serve at golden hour, ideally outdoors.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

A Cocktail for the Aperitivo Future

The Sbagliato’s longevity rests on its versatility, simplicity, and cultural resonance. It’s more than a mistaken Negroni—it’s an evolution of the spritz, an expression of modern Italian drinking, and a gateway into the world of bitter aperitifs.

Why It Endures

• recognizable yet customizable

• low-ABV and sessionable

• visually iconic

• delightfully easy to make

• deeply rooted in Italian culture

The Sbagliato is here to stay—not just as a viral moment but as an enduring aperitivo classic.