Negroni Week: Where to get a drink for a good cause
If you’re a Negroni drinker, you may have had this week marked on your calendar for some time now. Monday marks the official start of Negroni Week, a time to celebrate the classic Italian cocktail.
According to the book “Sulle Tracce del Conte: La Vera Storia del Cocktail Negroni” by Lucca Picchi, head bartender at Caffe Rivoire in Florence, Italy, the first Negroni was made at bar Casoni in Florence. Count Camillo Negroni ordered an Americano, typically made with Campari, sweet vermouth and soda, but asked for gin instead of the soda. And so the Negroni was born.
Every year during Negroni Week, restaurants and bars around the country get creative with their Negronis and pledge to donate money to a charity for every Negroni sold. And this year, venues are celebrating with such offerings as actual Negronis, Negroni marshmallows and even Negroni lip balm.
MORE: 26 great cocktails in Los Angeles
Here’s a rundown of places participating. Feel free to drink a couple. It’s for charity. Just have your designated driver ready.
Drink special: The Mariachigroni made with El Silencio mezcal, hibiscus-infused Luxardo and Bitter Truth EXR.
Charity: PATH
Drink special: Rosé/sparkling rosé, Beefeater gin, Campari, Giffard Fraise des Bois, served in glass flask.
Charity: Inspire Artistic Minds
Drink special: El Condor Negroni made with El Tesoro anejo, Campari and Carpano Antica sweet vermouth.
Charity: Silver Lake Reservoirs Conservancy
Drink special: Eveleigh Negroni made with Beefeater gin, Campari, Cynar and M and R sweet vermouth.
Charity: Communities in Schools
Drink special: Hakkasan smokey negroni made with Rusty Blade aged gin, Antica Formula sweet vermouth, Campari and a Grand Marnier smoke infusion.
Charity: Project Angel Food
Drink specials: Spaghetti Western made with CapRock gin, cappalletti aperitivo, punt e mes and a Negroni Intenzionale with Beefeater gin, Campari and Lambrusco.
Charity: United Cerebral Palsy
Drink specials: Ink will feature a different Negroni every day. The first will be an apricot and pink peppercorn Negroni made with Fords gin, pink peppercorn-infused Campari and Byrrh Quinquina.
Charity: Waves for Water
Drink special: Oaxaca Negroni made with Sloane’s gin, Campari, Carpano Antica, grapefruit juice and Del Maguey Minero mezcal.
Charity: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Drink special: The Peruvian Count made with Campari, sherry and Suze.
Charity: NA
Drink specials: Negronito made with El Silencio mezcal, Carpano Antica and Campari; Boulavardier with Rittenhouse rye, Carpano Antica and Campari; Angelini with Amaro Nonino, Blanco Di Torino and Botantist gin.
Charity: Youth Mentoring
Drink special: Mezcal Negroni made with El Silencio mezcal, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Gran Classico, walnut bitters and orange zest for garnish.
Charity: Race to Erase MS
Drink special: Vinegroni made with Beefeater 24, Campari, punt e mes, la bête côtes-du-rhône and orange oils.
Charity: ASPCA
Drink special: The classic Negroni will be served at a Negroni Week party hosted by Honestly YUM Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Charity: Inspire Artistic Minds
Drink special: Barrel-aged white Negroni with Bombay original dry gin, Cocchi Americano, Dolin blanc and grapefruit peel.
Charity: The Wallis Annenberg Center
Drink special: That’s Amore made with tequila Ocho reposado, Campari, Dolin dry vermouth, Carpano Antica and Braulio Amaro.
Charity: Get Love
For a full list of Los Angeles bars participating, visit www.negroniweek.com.
I don’t always drink cocktails. But when I do. It’s a Negroni. Follow me on Twitter @Jenn_Harris_
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