The search for a fashionable drink has led some to the Negroni, one part each of gin, vermouth, and Campari. I capitalize the “N”  here because the drink is the invention of one Count Camillo Negroni, who, in 1919, was bright enough to fortify the limp and then well-known Americano by replacing the soda-water with gin.  An orange slice was added to distinguish it visually from the Americano.

The OED sites Orson Welles comment on the drink in 1947: “The bitters are excellent for your liver, the gin is bad for you. They balance each other.”

The Negroni Sbagliato (“spal-yacht-oh”  translates as “wrong”, “mistaken”, or “misbehaving” ) has become so popular in Europe the drink is sometimes just called a “Sbagliato” for short. This latest twist is another substitution, prosecco instead of gin (maybe not as bad for you).

This time they have it right. The prosecco sweetens up the too-bitter Negroni traditionale, and lowers the total alcohol level so you can enjoy more of them.

Usually in a rocks glass, occasionally served in a wine glass:

The Negroni Sbagliato
1 ounce vermouth
1 ounce Campari
2 ounces prosecco
→ Stir over ice and garnish with the traditional orange slice.

Here, a Campari-produced ad recommends sparkling Pinot Chardonnay. I recommend a good dry prosecco.  For the vermouth, the barman here is using Cinzano Bianco, an Italian mid-sweet vermouth made by Gruppo Campari.