Spiced Rum Negroni (AKA: Kingston Negroni)

ByKristen Stevens

A rum Negroni, also known as a Kingston Negroni, is a bold, Jamaican-inspired twist on the classic made with dark Caribbean rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth. It's smooth, bittersweet, and full of rich, citrusy flavor.

A glass of red cocktail with an orange peel garnish sits on a coaster, next to a bottle of rum, a Campari cap, and a dark cloth napkin. Save

If you've ever wondered if you could add rum to a classic Negroni, you can, and it works beautifully. This version swaps in dark rum, which adds a touch of sweetness and gentle spice, softening the Campari's edge while keeping the drink bold and balanced.

I love how the rum rounds everything out, making it feel a little more approachable without losing that classic bittersweet profile. In testing, dark or spiced rum held up best alongside the sweet vermouth and bitter liqueur.

Finished with a twist of orange peel, it's simple and full of flavor. The citrus oils brighten the drink and tie everything together, proving how much a small swap can transform a classic.

A glass of red cocktail with an orange peel garnish sits on a coaster, next to a bottle of rum, a Campari cap, and a dark cloth napkin. Save
Kristen Stevens

Spiced Rum Negroni (AKA: Kingston Negroni)

A rum Negroni, also known as a Kingston Negroni, is made with dark Caribbean rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth, then garnished with orange peel. It's bold, smooth, and full of island flavor.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Cocktail
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ounce dark or spiced rum
  • 1 ounce Campari
  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth
  • Orange peel see notes

Method
 

  1. Cut a long strip of orange peel with a vegetable peeler. Roll up the peel and then stick a cocktail skewer through it to hold it together. Use a lighter to singe the edges. (You can also cut a smaller strip of orange peel, singe it slightly, and drop it into the glass.)
    Orange peel
    A glass with a decorative orange peel garnish on a skewer, being flamed with a lighter, sits on a dark coaster against a white marble background. Save
  2. Fill a cocktail mixer half full with ice. Add the dark rum, Campari, and sweet vermouth to the cocktail mixer and stir until chilled.
    1 ounce dark or spiced rum, 1 ounce Campari, 1 ounce sweet vermouth
    A glass mixing pitcher with a metal stirring spoon, ice cubes, and a dark liquid, placed on a white marble surface. Save
  3. Place a large ice cube into a rocks glass and pour the rum Negroni over the top.
    A glass of red cocktail with a large ice cube, garnished with an orange peel twist on a metal pick, set on a white marble surface. Save

Notes

Burnt orange peel: A traditional Negroni is garnished with orange peel, which adds a lovely citrus aroma with each sip. Lightly charring the edges adds a subtle smoky note that works beautifully with the dark rum.
 
A glass of cocktail with a large ice cube, garnished with an orange peel rose on a metal pick. Kraken rum bottle, Campari cap, and dark napkins are nearby on a marble surface. Save
A glass of red cocktail garnished with an orange peel, served on a white marble surface. Save

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