Togronis isn’t a word in another language, it’s a portmanteau of “To Go” and “Negroni.” The brand was founded “out of love for the Negroni.” Togronis Negroni is one of three offerings in their lineup, but oddly, the only one that includes gin. More on those in a moment.
Firstly, it’s impossible to license Campari for a canned Negroni cocktail. (Why? They have their own…) Therefore, creators need to get creative. Togronis partnered with Scrappy’s and uses their red bitter. Beyond that, it features London Dry Gin and Italian Sweet Vermouth.
Togronis are produced by Black Magic Beverages. The gin used is not disclosed, but it seems likely that it’s not a commercially available gin that you can buy off the shelf.
The others, beyond the Negroni, are a Boulvardier and a Mezcal Negroni.
Tasting notes
Color: Ruby red, quite striking
Aroma: The citrus bitters aroma reminds me a lot of Aperitivo Cappelletti. Sweet orange, grapefruit and rhubarb with a hint of gentian. As with many Negronis, the red bitter dominates the nose, though a careful exploration shows some hints of gin as well.
Taste: Early with bright, slightly bitter citrus. On the heavy end, sweet and rich. Notes of milk chocolate, clove, orange and cinnamon spice ease into a mid-palate of candied cherries, with echoes of camphor and eucalyptus.
Later, cocoa powder, orange zest, and green wormwood hover in a complex palate. It begins red bitter focused, but ends with some stronger notes of Vermouth. Throughout the palate, I’m strongly reminded of root beer hard candies.
Finish: Hints of sweet baking spice emerge, Cinnamon, orange pith, and a hint of quinine. Moderately long, with a lasting, chewy, rooty gentian bitterness, sometimes suggestive of Root Beer.
Overall, Togronis Negroni
It isn’t fair to hold an RTD (ready-to-drink) Negroni to the standard of “does it taste like Campari?” It doesn’t— but that’s an easy criticism. It might be the top reason why someone might not like Togronis Negroni. If that’s you, that’s fair. But you’ll have to make your own Negroni.
Instead, judged solely based on what’s in the can, there’s a lot to like. Flavorful and complex, it’s a good drink. I’d prefer to taste a bit more juniper and gin in here. That would be a nice balance to the vermouth and bitter notes, which sadly are the stars here. Gin is present, but it feels a bit in the background.
Overall, Togroni Negroni is among the better RTD Negronis on the market. It doesn’t replace the real thing; however, that’s not the goal— instead it enables you to have a Negroni from the cooler on the beach, or a single serving cocktail without three bottles on hand.