The Negroni is a long-time favourite for classy cocktail drinkers looking for something a bit more suave than a margarita or a mojito. It only takes three simple ingredients to achieve this perfect, lounging-in-a-linen-suit aperitif: Campari, London dry gin, and Vermouth Rosso, and of course you’ll need a cocktail glass and some fresh orange peel garnish to finish it off. According to myth, in 1919 Count Camillo Negroni put a spin on his beloved Americano by substituting the soda water for gin, and thus the Negroni was born.
The fifth annual Negroni Week is in full swing: seven days, three ingredients, and one great way to give back. Every year, the event raises money for select charities by encouraging people to enjoy an expertly made cocktail. In just a few short years, the number of participating venues has skyrocketed from 100 to 6,000. Over 60 countries have participated and successfully raised US$900,000 for various charities, and this year, an unprecedented 300 bars across Asia will participate, and here are out favourites from Hong Kong.
Stazione Novella
Neighbourhood Italian wine bar Stazione Novella joins Negroni Week with four choices: go for the full-sized classic version, or choose from three types of mini-sized Negronis including the Classic, the Montenegro, or the Bastardo- each made with an inventive spin.
Stazione Novella, 52-56 Staunton St., Soho, Central, 2559 0559
www.stazionenovella.com.hk
Zuma
Zuma’s head bartender Arkadiusz Rybak’s Japanese Negroni is a softer version of the classic, made with shiso infused gin, umeshu, mancino rosso and plum bitters to bring unique tastes to the experience. He ages his Negroni mix in a clay pot allowing for the ingredients to oxidase and making the flavours more complex.
Zuma, 15 Queen’s Road Central, The Landmark, Central, 3657 3688
www.zumarestaurant.com
Potato Head
For a tropical experience head to Potato Head Hong Kong where guests can enjoy coconut aged Negronis, kept in coconuts for two weeks to allow the flavours to soak. Their one month-clay-aged Negroni, their signature, will also be featured.
Potato Head, 100 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun, 2858 6066
www.ptthead.com
JinJuu
Modern Korean restaurant Jin Juu is known for doing things a little differently, so this year they’re bringing in four of Hong Kong’s top bartenders, Mario Calderone of Honi Honi Tiki Cocktail Lounge, Tunny Alexander Grattige from The Pawn Kitchen by Tom Aikens, Tom Egerton from Potato Head Hong Kong and Beckaly Franks from the Pontiac, to shake up their own creations behind the bar.
JinJuu, UG/F, 32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 3755 4868
www.jinjuu.com/hk
Okra
This Negroni is an ode to Japan, using “Genrokushu” whole grain, tank-aged sake in place of sweet vermouth, and rice shochu in place of gin. The concoction is then bottle aged for one month to fully blend the flavours, the closest thing to Negroni art you’ll ever find.
Okra, 100 Queen’s Road West, G/F, Sai Yin Pun, 2806 1038
okra.kitchen
Vea
Award-winning Executive Mixologist Antonio Lai will be serving a creamy twist on the Negroni that swaps gin for redistilled ‘creamy’, Carpano Classico, Campari and bergamot essence for an elegant, strong and citric twist on the classic.
Vea, 29/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central, 2711 8639
www.vea.hk
Aberdeen Street Social
This relaxed hide-away will be serving a Negroni unlike anything you’ve ever had before. Sweet and tropical, its made with Campari, Cinzano 1757 Rosso, Mount Gay Black Barrell rum and chocolate bitters, the perfect way to while away the day.
Aberdeen Street Social, PMQ, G/F, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, 2866 0300
www.aberdeenstreetsocial.hk
Tivo
Neighbourhood hangout Tivo will be serving its Carbo Negroni, which uses Aviation gin, Lillet Rouge, Campari and thyme. The cocktail is finished in a carbonator to add delicate bubbles.
Tivo, 43 Wyndham St, Central, 2116 8055
www.tivo.com.hk
Zafran
Exciting Spanish restaurant Zafran will be serving their special Chorizo Negroni, which employs a carefully blended homemade chorizo-infused-gin with Vermouth and Campari. The best part? Its served with a few slices of Spanish chorizo, of course.
Zafran, 43 Wyndham St, Central, 2116 8855
www.zafran.com.hk
Aqua
Negroni with a view? Don’t mind if we do! Sip on a Geisha’s Secret, a perfectly balanced blend of Bulleit whiskey, plum sake, Aperol, Visciolata del Cardinale and absinthe 30-storeys above the city. The drink is slow stirred and long poured for a sophisticated finish, and beautifully presented on the rocks in a sake jar.
Aqua, 29/30F, 1 Peking Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3427 2288
www.aqua.com.hk
Room One
The Mira Hotel is stirring up an intoxicating, botanical tipple called the Negroni Tyme, made with Thyme-infused Beefeater 24 gin, Punt e Mes and Campari. The Punt e Mes vermouth has a strong and distinctive flavour, half way bitter and half way sweet, which – combined with Campari and thyme-infused Beefeater gin – gives this Negroni a beautifully silken texture.
Room One, G/F Lobby, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Shat Tsui, 2368 1111
www.themirahotel.com
Negroni Week is on until June 11, see negroniweek.com for more details and to find out which charities your favourite bars are supporting.
