Italians drink Negronis before dinner, but we think the best time to have a Negroni is all the time (it’s a DrinkManila favorite). The bittersweet, complex, and refreshing cocktail made with equal parts gin, vermouth, and Campari is a classic drink that lends itself well to creative interpretations by talented bartenders.
Imbibe Magazine and Campari launched Negroni Week in 2013 to celebrate the beloved cocktail and raise money for charities worldwide. Participating bars choose from a list of 42 international charities and make a donation to their selected charity. The event has raised more than $900,000 since 2013. This year, from June 5 to June 11 2017, bars and restaurants in 60 countries will mix Negronis and Negroni variations and hold special events for Negroni Week.
Where to Celebrate Negroni Week in the Philippines:
- Bar Mathilde (8483 Kalayaan Ave., Makati)
- Chosen Charity: Mercy Corps
Head bartender Tam Tavera’s Negroni Week Happy Hour Specials include the Classic Negroni, Corn Whiskey Negroni, American Bourbon Negroni, and Cherry Bitter Negroni. Tip: ask about the bar’s eight different batches of barrel-aged Negronis and the mellow corn whiskey.
- ABV (22 Jupiter, Makati)
- Chosen Charity:PAWS
Negroni variations by ABV’s award-winning bartenders include the Ciao Bella (Tanqueray Ten, house blend sweet vermouth, grapefruit-Campari soda, grapefruit peel and dried apricot garnish), Old Sport (Rittenhouse rye whiskey, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, house blend Amaro, raspberry-Campari foam), Mezcal Negroni (Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Ethiopian coffee-infused Cinzano vermouth, Campari, Picon Biere), and Julio Trifecta (Don Julio Reposado, Cinzano, Campari, maraschino liqueur, flamed orange zest garnish).
- Prisma (Business Center, Main Road, Station 2, Boracay)
- Chosen Charity: City Harvest
Prisma’s fruity Tropical Negroni is made with mangosteen-infused Tanqueray, Campari, and Cocchi Vermouth Di Torino and garnished with a rosemary sprig.
If you’re mixing a Negroni at home, try these variations from our local bartenders:
Nogroni by Liquid Concepts’ Larry Guevara
Miles Negroni by Mathilde’s Tammy Tavera (former head bartender of The Bonbon Club)
Bitters Bar’s Negronis Love Child
To learn more about Negroni Week, visit negroniweek.com and follow @imbibe and the #NegroniWeek hashtag on Instagram and Twitter.
