If you spend half as much time binge-scrolling TikTok as we do, you’ve no doubt come across this video from HBO Max in the last week. The clip, which features House of the Dragon star and non-binary icon Emma D’Arcy being interviewed by co-star Olivia Cooke, has turned the internet into a never-ending abyss of thirst reacts (yes, even more than it already was). Why, you ask? Because of the seductive way Emma (who stars as Rhaenyra Targaryen) declared their favourite drink: a Negroni Sbagliato, “with prosecco in it”. Goosebumps – in the good way.
While we’ve no shortage of love for Emma (and the TikTok comments are a sight to behold), it’s the Negroni Sbagliato itself that’s made us thirsty. The first thing to note, however, is that despite how tingly Emma’s pronunciation might make you feel, it’s actually pronounced “spah-li-AH-toh”, and it means ‘wrong’ or ‘mistake’ in Italian.
A twist on the classic and much-loved Negroni, the Sbagliato version simply replaces the gin with prosecco or spumante (another category of Italian sparkling wine). The resulting cocktail is lighter and spritzier, perfect as an aperitif for sunny days and long lunches.
The drink originated in the late 1980s, when bartender Mirko Stocchetto was attempting to mix a Negroni at his Bar Basso in Milan. Instead of the gin, he accidentally reached for a bottle of spumante, and thus the Negroni Sbagliato was born. A mistake, perhaps, but a tasty one. These days they are still served (very much on purpose) at the very same bar, now run by Mirko’s son Maurizio.
Despite its origin, the flavour profile of a Sbagliato is less like a Negroni and more akin to an Americano – which sees soda added to Campari and sweet vermouth. There’s still that sweet-bitter delight, but with an added fizziness that doesn’t take itself too seriously. All three are delicious, so make like Emma and whip one up today. Stunning.
