For some, every week is Negroni Week, but this time, it's official.
June 24 - 30 marks the official 2019 Negroni Week, which is held each year to toast to one of the world's favorite drinks, and raise money for charity. This year, over 12,000 bars around the world have Negroni Week specials, and nearly as many Negroni variations.
The Negroni, which officially turns 100 this year, is one of the bar world's most popular drinks, in part because of the recipe's adaptability and its sophisticated bittersweet notes.
The traditional recipe (equal parts Campari, gin and sweet vermouth) couldn't be easier to make, but it also lends itself to nearly endless riffs.
Here are some variations on the classic drink, to get you through until 2020's Negroni festivities.
The Chocolate Negroni at Dante, NYC.
ILLUSTRATION: ELVA RAMIREZ
New York's Dante is one of the undisputed Negroni destinations, and features an ever-changing roster of Negroni variations. During Negroni Week, sales double at the West Village bar, averaging over 200 drinks Negroni variationssold per day.
If you want to bring home of that Dante magic, try your hand at the Chocolate Negroni. Combine Ford's Gin with Punt e Mes sweet vermouth, Campari, a swirl of creme de cacao and a few dashes of chocolate bitters in a rocks glass with a large ice cube, and stir until cold. Garnish with an orange wedge.
The Sbagliato, which translates as "mistaken," is a popular variation on the Negroni, where one of the ingredients is substituted out for bubbles.
At Valerie in New York, the Sbagliato switches out the traditional gin for Prosecco, producing a fizzy, bittersweet concoction. Comprised of equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth and Prosecco, and built in a glass, it couldn't be easier to make at home.
The Rose Sbagliato.
ILLUSTRATION: ELVA RAMIREZ
"While Sbagliato is translated as 'mistaken' there’s nothing wrong with this Negroni variation," Spencer Elliott at the Mondrian Terrace says. "Using sparkling rosé for Prosecco and an age old Martini & Rossi bitter, this is the best mistake you’ll make all day. "
Making this drink is almost as easy as drinking it. Mix one ounce each of Martini & Rossi bitter red vermouth with sweet vermouth in a wine glass, then top with sparkling rosé wine. Garnish orange oil and a fresh orange wedge.
The White Negroni.
ILLUSTRATION: ELVA RAMIREZ
While the Negroni is recognizable by its ruby red hue, one popular variation strips out the color, in order to play up the more floral notes in the drink.
The White Negroni, or Negroni Bianco, is a light, summer-ready drink that puts gin at the forefront. In this recipe by Barr Hill gin, Campari and sweet vermouth are replaced with white vermouth and Suze, a slightly bitter, floral aperitif. A spritz of fresh lemon oil and a twist pulls everything together