It’s Negroni Week, which means you’ve likely seen more of the cocktail than usual at your favorite local hangouts. Over 6000 bars and restaurants around the globe are participating in the event this year, donating $1 from the sale of each cocktail to the charity of their choice, and competing against each other for the opportunity to win an additional $10,000 from Campari for that charity as well.
We’ve had images of some fantastic spins on the classic cocktail pour in from bars around the country this week, and have done a little sampling ourselves, to come up with a handful of favorites.
Flip through the gallery to check out some of the best Negronis we’ve seen so far this year, and be sure to head out to your local bar and snag one for yourself before the week is over. You’re drinking for charity after all.
Emily is Paste’s Assistant Drink Editor and thinks Negroni Cotton Candy is one of the greatest inventions of all time.
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Red Light Negroni, created by Maison Premier in NYC. It's also available in Dallas at Boulevardier & Midnight Rambler, Atlanta at Holeman & Finch store & Tavern Pointe, New Orleans at Catahoula Bar & Three Muses, Louisville at Meta, and Santa Monica at Belcampo Meat Co.
If you're not in one of those cities, make one yourself by combining equal parts Bols Genever, Campari and sweet vermouth. Maison Premier's is served in a gutted light bulb.
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Tradition's Barrel-Aged Negroni with Cotton Candy and Fruit Roll-Up
San Francisco's Tradition has a sweet take on the classic cocktail, with their Barrel-Aged Negroni, complete with a garnish cloud of Campari cotton candy.
Grace Sager
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Barolo Barrel Aged Negroni, Courtesy of American Cut Midtown
(Plymouth / Campari / Carpano Antica)
Benefitting the Global Poverty Project
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Ants on a Logroni from Cafe du Nord in San Francisco is inspired by the iconic childhood snack. It's got Campari, Rutte Celery Gin, Peanut-infused Cinzano 1757, rye-poached golden raisin garnish, but don't drink too many and spoil your dinner!
Proceeds benefit the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank.
Wes Rowe
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Negroni Mancato, Courtesy of Beauty & Essex
(Botanist Gin, Campari /Antica Sweet Vermouth / San Pelegrino Aranciata Sparkling Beverage)
Benefitting Genesis Womens Shelter
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Wildhawk's Breakfast Negroni - San Francisco
The new Mission bar in the former home of the Lexington Club actually doesn't open until 5pm, so just file this one under breakfast for happy hour. Wildhawk's Breakfast Negroni evokes the best feeling of eating sugary, chocolate cereal – the milk. It's no secret that chocolate and bitter are best friends, and Wildhawk's Breakfast Negroni made with Campari, Bulldog Gin, Cocoa-Puffs-infused Gran Lusso Vermouth, and Chocolate Salt Bitters ($12) and served in a small white bowl is kind of a perfect example. Proceeds benefit Holy Family Day Home.
Wendy Suh
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Golden Negroni, Courtesy of Ristorante Morini
(Tanqueray Gin / Cocchi Americano Aromatized Wine / Suze Gentian Liqueur)
Benefitting Wheeling Forward
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Count Kiss, Courtesy of Ai Fiori
(Yellow Chartreuse / Aperol / Ramazzotti Amaro / Antica Formula Vermouth / Orange Twist)
Benefitting Wheeling Forward
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Lafayette Negroni, Courtesy of Osteria Morini
(Rittenhouse Rye / Averna Amaro / Martelletti Vermouth)
Benefitting Wheeling Forward
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Bear vs. Bull's Dulce Vida
Bear vs. Bull, the bar in the brand new Mission movie theatre Alamo Drafthouse in San Francisco, has crafted a uniquely racy and smoky take on the Negroni. The Dulce Vida ($12) evokes an Argentine tango den, replete with smoke, a little sweat, and the requisite clenched rose. The femme fatale of this year's line-up includes Campari, Carpano Antica Formula Sweet Vermouth, Beefeater Gin, Del Maguey, Scappy's Chocolate Bitters, Maldon Saline Solution, and a Chocolate Rose-infused Campari Float. Proceeds benefit Tipping Point.
Wes Rowe