A staple for a reason, Beefeater’s London Dry gin works elegantly in Negronis and other gin classics, like Martinis. Eloy Pacheco, head bartender at New York City’s Dante, especially appreciates the spirit’s coriander, lemon zest and pine-juniper flavors. In our survey of the best well spirits, bartenders also praised Beefeater’s affordability and adaptability for infusions, and called it “the quintessential London dry gin.”

“I really love a savory element in my Negronis,” says Izzy Tulloch, head bartender at Milady’s in New York City. New York Distilling Co.’s Dorothy Parker Gin “has this incredible root vegetable, and more specifically, raw carrot note that plays really well in the classic.” Made in Brooklyn, this lighter bottling combines traditional gin flavors (juniper, citrus) with less common botanicals, like hibiscus.

“I really like Irish gins in Negronis because they have a fuller body and texture that can hold up to the Campari and sweet vermouth,” says Kim Vo, bartender at the gin-focused Baltimore bar Dutch Courage. Gunpowder gin is named after gunpowder tea, a type of green tea in which the leaves are rolled into pellets. In this bottling, the unique botanicals subdue the bitterness of a Negroni, according to Vo. “Its delightfully citrusy, botanical and bright profile shines through while also working harmoniously with the Campari and sweet vermouth,” she says.

As many of the bottlings on this list convey, a gin’s place of origin is more than a note on its label; it’s often woven into its very makeup. Future Gin, from Downtown Los Angeles, spotlights local botanicals like Meyer lemon, honeysuckle and avocado leaf. Tulloch, who recommends the bottling for those willing to splurge a bit more, describes it as a “beautiful spicy citrus and super-floral gin” that “adds a really fun layer to a Negroni.”

“Obviously a London dry would be classic [in a Negroni], but there are plenty of New Western–style gins that have big flavors that don’t necessarily come from just juniper,” says Becca Petersen, bar manager at Chicago’s Scofflaw. “Personally, I love a gin on the savory side, so I would look for a Mediterranean gin.” Gin Mare, which is made in Spain, fits the bill. In this bottling, juniper takes a back seat; in Negronis, its olive, rosemary, basil and thyme notes are instead at the forefront, rounding out the classic’s bittersweet tones.