Just three ingredients go into a classic Negroni, which is part of the cocktail’s enduring appeal. But while that trio – equal parts Campari, rosso vermouth and London-style dry gin, with an orange slice to garnish – is key to the Italian aperitif’s bittersweet nuances, bartenders around Sydney have been challenged by Campari to give the iconic cocktail a twist to celebrate Negroni Week.
Launched in 2013 by Campari & Imbibe, during the annual initiative for every Negroni sold, $1 will be donated to a charity chosen by the individual bars that are participating. So it’s an easy win-win for everyone involved.
Even with lockdown restrictions in Sydney, many of the city’s best bars are offering takeaway and delivery versions of their bespoke Negronis. Expect everything from outside-the-box house infusions and lower-alcohol alternatives to whole new layers of flavours being introduced (cue the sake). And some of the bars are just doing their very best version of the classic Negroni itself.
Some of the bartenders’ creations venture surprisingly far from the original recipe, but always at the heart is Campari – the distinctively red bittersweet Italian aperitivo Liqueur. The Everleigh Bottling Co are even offering a limited box of bottled Negroni twists dubbed “The Melbourne Collection” that will be available online for delivery across Australia from September 10, with $10 donated to RU OK? for every box sold.
Here’s a rundown of some of Sydney’s twists on the cocktail for Negroni Week – including some takeaway pit stops in Newcastle and Canberra too.
Sydney:
Corretto, Dee Why
Mid Morning Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, Bulldog Gin, vermouth, crème de banana, chocolate bitters
Insitu, Manly
Bloody Orange Negroni Sour
Ingredients: Campari, fresh blood orange juice, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano 1757, aquafaba
Donny’s, Manly
You’re a Turkey Banana Bourbon Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, banana-infused Wild Turkey, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano 1757
Cumberland, Manly
Rust and Dust
Ingredients: Campari, mezcal, earl grey-infused cognac, aquafaba, agave, lemon
No. 92 GPR, Glebe
Coconut Negroni
Ingredients: Coconut-infused Campari, rosso vermouth, gin
Negroni Messicano
Ingredients: Chilli oil-infused Campari, lime peel-infused gin, rosso vermouth
Tropical Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, quince gin, mango vermouth
Titus Jones, Marrickville
Bushranger Boulevardier
Ingredients: Campari, Australian whisky, vermouth, smoked eucalyptus bitters, orange and mountain pepperberry leather garnish
Negroni Redbackr
Ingredients: Campari, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth, housemade orange soda, housemade vermouth ripple ice cream
Negroni Hot Shot Hot Saucer
Ingredients: Campari, orange, chilli, vinegar, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth
The Barrie, Chippendale
Negroni 515
Ingredients: Italian coffee bean-infused Campari, smoked cherrywood cognac, burnt orange zest
Chai Negronir
Ingredients: Campari, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth infused with The Barie’s Spice Blend
Glorietta, North Sydney
Negroni Mexicano
Ingredients: Campari, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth, Espolon Reposado Tequila, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur
Sloe-groni
Ingredients: Campari, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth, Cinzano Bianco Vermouth, Sloe Gin
Pinos Vino E Cucina, Alexandria
Pino’s Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, Italian Amaro, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano Vermouth
Door Knock, Sydney CBD
Domino Effect
Ingredients: Campari, mandarin skin-infused gin, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth, honey water, fennel leaf, salt
Burrow Bar, Sydney CBD
Pepperberry Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, Cinzano 1757, gin infused with strawberries and Tasmanian pepperberry fermented in raw local honey
Barmilano, Maroubra
Negroni Valtellinese
Ingredients: Campari, Cinzano 1757, Bulldog Gin, Braulio Amaro
Nomad, Surry Hills
Finger Lime & Za’atar Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, Gin, Cinzano 1757, finger lime, za’atar spice
PS40, Sydney CBD
Breakfast Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth, tonka bean, banana bread, coffee bean
Different Drummer, Glebe
Eucalyptus & Lemon Myrtle Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, Cinzano 1757, eucalyptus and lemon myrtle-infused Bulldog Gin, grapefruit bitters
Wine Library, Woollahra
Barolo Chinato Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, Bulldog Gin, barolo chinato, vermouth
Ravesis, Bondi Beach
Smokin Apricots
Ingredients: Campari, Cinzano 1757, mezcal, apricot brandy
Roasted Negroni
Ingredients: Coffee bean and rosemary-infused Campari, Cinzano 1757, gin
Newcastle:
Blue Kahunas, Newcastle
Kingston Mac
Ingredients: Campari, Cinzano 1757, Appleton Estate Signature Rum, macadamia milk and molasses
The Koutetsu, Newcastle West
Chipotle Negroni
Ingredients: Chipotle-infused Campari, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth
Canberra:
East Hotel, Kingston
Classic Negroni
Ingredients: Campari, Bulldog Gin, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth
High Jinks, Canberra
Barrel Aged Boulevardier
Ingredients: Campari, Cinzano 1757, Russell's Reserve 10YO
Coffee & Cacao
Ingredients: Cacao-infused Campari, Cinzano 1757, Mr Black Coffee Amaro
The Count
Ingredients: Campari, tawny port, blended whisky
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Campari.
