Negroni Week is almost here, running from September 18 to 24th – a time when cocktail bars do their best to unveil a new variation on the classic Italian cocktail. From coffee infused negronis to a sbagliato spin on the original, the humble cocktail has come a long way since it was invented by Count Camillo Negroni at Caffè Casoni in Florence back in 1919.
But it wasn’t until 1967 that the first variation of it was discovered at Bar Basso in Milan. They’re credited for inventing the Negroni Sbaligato [that’s mistaken Negroni]. They used prosecco instead of gin; and it wasn’t an intentional variation either – word has it the bartender was run off his feet and grabbed the prosecco instead of gin and the customer loved it.
Negroni Week celebrates 10 years this month, the idea initiated by Campari and Imbibe Magazine – who encouraged bars to donate a portion of the drink sales to a charity of their choice. Ask your local bar if they’re doing the same!
Here’s our round up of where to drink in Melbourne during Negroni Week.
LONDON’S KWÃNT BAR COMES TO THE LOUNGE AT SOCIETY, CBD
To celebrate Negroni Week, Eric Lorincz’s acclaimed London cocktail bar Kwãnt is coming to Melbourne for a one-night residency at The Lounge at Society. Renowned bartender Guisy Castaldo will mix three signature Kwãnt cocktails that hero Campari and embrace a tiki bar inspiration. This is where you head to taste a contemporary take on the classic negroni alongside curated snacks from Society’s kitchen. $1 from every cocktail sold at the Society X Kwãnt partnership is donated to Slow Food, the charity partner of Negroni Week 2023.
https://societyrestaurant.com/lounge/
STUDIO AMARO, WINDSOR
The Commune Group’s latest venture is Studio Amaro on Chapel St, Windsor is making the Sour Cherry Negroni – riffing on its Italo-disco restaurant and basement bar to get the cocktail party started. They use Archie Rose Straight Dry Gin, Campari, Punt E Mes Carpano and build it up with sour cherry juice.
YUGEN DINING, SOUTH YARRA
Located in the heart of South Yarra, Yugen Dining is a hidden spot on the corner of Toorak Road and Chapel Street and where to head for their signature Ume Negroni. This is a perfect blend of dry vermouth and Umeshu (a Japanese plum liqueur) with Roku Gin to evoke a Negroni-esque aperitif with Davidson Plum Aperitif.
OVOLO HOTELS
The Ovolo Hotels have partnered with the World’s Best Bars to deliver Mese Del Negroni [that’s a month of Negroni hits, not a week!]. From Ovolo South Yarra to Brisbane’s Ovolo Incholm Hotel, you have no excuse to let this one slip your radar. It’s a chance to try the negroni from cocktail lists that have made the World’s Best Bar lists – all from the comfort of an Ovolo lobby bar near you. Think The Clumsies from Athens to Tropic City in Bangkok and Locale Firenze in Florence.
FLOUR CHILD, ST KILDA
Flour Child’s Clarified Negroni is a must-try and a clever take on a classic. This one is made using Butterfly Pea Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth. So why clarified? The clarified negroni process draws out a lot of the bitterness often associated with the cocktail, creating a smoother, lighter finish.
NEPTUNE, WINDSOR
Neptune’s ‘Golden Hour’ is calling your name, and if want to drink a Negroni on the patio and watch the sun go down, this is the ticket. They make a classic Negroni and also have added “Amuse Booze” to their cocktail offering. That’s a two-sip negroni for those who want an instant hit.
https://neptune.melbourne/home
BOUVIER BAR, BRUNSWICK EAST
La Luna’s Adrian Richardson owns this stylish cocktail bar in Brunswick East – it’s a go-to for classic cocktails, but they’re also taking part in Negroni Week – riffing on Negroni Sbagliato and Oaxacan Negroni.
THE UGLY DUCKLING, RICHMOND
A barrel-aged Chocolate Negroni should happily tip you over the edge at this top-notch cocktail bar in Richmond. They use Bombay Sapphire, Campari, Carpano Antica, Cacao Blanc and Choc Bitters for all your sweet and bitter needs.
https://www.theuglyduckling.com.au
FLAGGERDOOT, THE JACKALOPE, MERRICKS NORTH
The Bartender’s Negroni at this luxurious Mornington Peninsula bar takes the edge off the city grind – we’re sure of it. They’re pouring Never-Never Southern Strength Gin, Lillet, Poor Tom’s Bitter Imbroglio, house-made cranberry, raspberry maceration and bitters. See you at the bar.
https://jackalopehotels.com/drink-dine/#Flaggerdoot
BAR JAYDA, CBD
Head to the sweet side with this spin on a classic Negroni. The team at Bar Jayda keep this one on their cocktail menu all year round; a fabulous take combining STRAWBERRY AND YOGHURT NEGRONI. Before you curdle an eyelid at the thought, it’s both bitter and sweet and filled with rosehip, strawberry and yoghurt.
OMNIA BAR AND BISTRO, SOUTH YARRA
The team at Omnia Bar give us three reasons to cheer during Negroni Week. They’re serving a Saffron Negroni – Saffron infused gin, Rinomato, rhubarb bitters and Sweet vermouth, Blood Orange Negroni – Campari, Spiced gin, Blood orange infused Sweet vermouth and Mountain Marigold White Negroni – Suze, Bitter Bianco, Lillet Blanc, Mountain Marigold.
