To us, the Negroni is the perfect cocktail. It’s easy to make, with just three ingredients (gin, Campari, vermouth) in equal parts in its classic form, and lending itself to near-infinite variations. Its flavors are seriously complex, but never intimidating; it’s the perfect blend of bitter and sweet, citrusy and herbaceous, boozy and refreshing. There’s never a bad time to drink a Negroni.
But there’s absolutely a best time to drink them—and that’s right now. As part of a weeklong event from June 6 through 12, appropriately dubbed Negroni Week, bars and restaurants nationwide are stirring up Negronis—many putting their own spins on the classic drink—and donating a portion of the proceeds (generally a dollar per drink) to a charity of their choice. Last year, more than 3,500 venues raised over $320,000 for charitable causes.
To see all of the participating venues, what they’re serving, and which charity they’re donating to, check out the Negroni Week website. In the meantime, here’s a sampling of our favorite participating spots in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. (negroniweek.com)
New York City
Latin America-focused Leyenda is making the Chilegroni: a light, warm-weather-friendly variation using Chilean pisco, Campari, and Manzanilla sherry. (leyendabk.com)
Luxe pizza joint Marta has multiple offerings: a bottle-aged Negroni, a barrel-aged Boulevardier (which uses rye instead of gin), and Negroni ice pops. (martamanhattan.com)
Gourmet ice cream purveyors Oddfellows make it more delicious to keep cool with their Negroni ice pops. (oddfellowsnyc.com)
Pouring Ribbons is offering both a classic Negroni and a Kingston Negroni (in which funky, overproof Smith & Cross rum is swapped in for the gin, resulting in a modern classic cocktail invented by Joaquin Simó, a partner in the bar). (pouringribbons.com)
Upper East Side favorite Seamstress is whipping up classic Negronis and offering them for only $10 each this week. (seamstressny.com)
Chicago
Top-notch cocktail spot Broken Shaker adds a summery twist to the Negroni, using Aviation gin infused with watermelon. (thefreehand.com)
GreenRiver, the bar from the hospitality heavyweights also behind NYC’s The Dead Rabbit in conjunction with Union Square Hospitality Group, are offering the Count’s Whimsy: a mix of J. Rieger gin, ruby port, Suze, and Cynar. (greenriverchi.com)
Tiki bar Lost Lake’s Pineapple Negroni puts a tropical spin on the cocktail by swapping in Plantation Pineapple rum for the usual gin. (lostlaketiki.com)
At Scofflaw, you’ll find a variation using its house Old Tom Gin, Campari, Salers Aperitif, and Lemon Burst. (scofflawchicago.com)
The Violet Hour, possibly the most elegant bar in town, serves up a bitter take on the Negroni with its Eeyore’s Requiem, adding Cynar and Fernet-Branca to the traditional Negroni ingredients. (theviolethour.com)
San Francisco
15 Romolo’s Negroni features house-made, sherry-based “roso vermouth.” (15romolo.com)
ABV is stirring up what it calls the “Lamborghroni”—a classic Negroni made using Old Raj 110-proof gin. It’s likely to take you from sober to tipsy as speedily as a Lamborghini. (abvsf.com)
Three variations are available at Forgery: the V.O.C., with Strawberry Campari and fino sherry; a “Rested Negroni,” with reposado tequila subbing in for gin and cacao making an appearance; and Bitter Apples, with applejack replacing the gin. (forgerysf.com)
The cocktail tricksters at Trick Dog take the cocktail into a savory, earthy zone with arugula-infused gin and an arugula, black pepper, and lemon tincture mixed in with the traditional Campari and vermouth; it’s all then poured over a tomato-water ice cube. (trickdogbar.com)
At gin-focused Whitechapel, try any of three special Negroni variations: classic; BBQ style, with smoked vermouth and serrano pepper-infused gin; or “Flower Power,” with rose water, orange flower water, and patchouli tincture. (whitechapelsf.com)
Los Angeles
The Corner Door has seven inventive offerings, inspired by the seven kingdoms of Westeros in the popular show Game of Thrones. (cornerdoorla.com)
Sip any of three Negroni-style offerings—classic, classic with gentian replacing Campari, or mezcal and Aperol subbing in for gin and Campari—on Eveleigh’s elegant patio. (theeveleigh.com)
The Fiscal Agent, the new spot from cocktail king Julian Cox, is churning up frozen Negroni slushies. (thefiscalagent.com)
Happening restaurant Hatchet Hall is serving a classic-style Negroni, made with overproof Martin Miller’s gin. (hatchethallla.com)
New Orleans-style Sassafras Saloon takes the classic Negroni into summer by using a rosé vermouth. (sassafrashollywood.com)
