Presented by Imbibe Magazine and Campari, the third annual Negroni Week is taking place June 1-7, 2015, featuring bars from around the world showcasing the classic cocktail and countless variations. During Negroni Week, each participating bar will donate a portion of proceeds from every Negroni sold to a charity of their choice. Last year, 1,300 Negroni Week bars and restaurants collectively raised over $120,000 for their designated charities.
Campari is once again donating $10,000 to the charity chosen by the bar/restaurant that raises the most money during Negroni Week. In 2014, the top fundraiser was HG Sply Co. in Dallas, Texas. Their selected charity, Genesis Shelter, received the $10,000 donation from Campari on their behalf.
In addition to the $10,000 donation, Imbibe will also randomly select a participating bar to receive a $1,000 donation to their chosen charity. Any bar that participates during Negroni Week and completes and submits a donation form will be eligible for the $1,000 donation, no matter how much money they raise during the week.
The Foxhole: Campari, gin, Smith + Cross Jamaican Rum, Velvet Falernum. | Photo by Eugene Lee, courtesy of Big Bar
Led by Dylan Snyder of ACME Hospitality Group (Beelman’s Pub, The King Eddy Saloon, Library Bar, Sixth St. Tavern, Spring St. et al.), more than a dozen L.A. bars are teaming up to raise funds for Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Other local bars joining ACME in the Didi Hirsch fundraising effort include Big Bar, Cole’s French Dip, Little Easy, Los Balcones, The Spare Room, Three Clubs and Wolf & Crane.
Break Room 86 is featuring The Princess, a flasked cocktail made with Rosé/Sparkling Rosé, Beefeater Gin, Campari and Giffard Fraise des Bois. | Photo by Bobby Navarro, courtesy of Break Room 86
Sassafras Saloon is raising funds for Inspire Artistic Minds with the Frozen Blood Orange Negroni: Beefeater 24, blood orange purée, Campari and sweet vermouth. | Photo courtesy of Sassafras Saloon
Nearly 30 Negroni Week participants across the country are donating proceeds to Inspire Artistic Minds (IAM), an Orange County-based nonprofit that provides opportunity scholarships and educational experiences to advance the arts in the areas of taste, sight and sound, with a strong focus in the food and beverage industry. Notable bars include 320 Main, Break Room 86, Death & Co., EP/LP, Harlowe (which is throwing a Negroni Week Party on Wednesday, June 3), Honeycut, Liberty, Melrose Umbrella Co., Noble Experiment, The Normandie Club and Sassafras Saloon.
“We chose Inspire Artistic Minds because it is a charity that helps out our industry,” says Break Room 86 bar manager, Christine Wiseman. “[IAM] allows bartenders to be able to continue their education by helping them get to cocktail weeks and travel and so many other amazing things. This industry and community have helped us in so many ways and we wanted to be able to give back to it.”
Harvard & Stone is raising funds for United Cerebral Palsy with the Negroni Intenzionale and the Spaghetti Western. | Photo courtesy of Harvard & Stone
Harvard & Stone is raising funds for United Cerebral Palsy with the Spaghetti Western (CapRock gin, Cappelletti Aperitivo, Punt e Mes) and the Negroni Intenzionale (Beefeater Gin, Campari, Lambrusco). “We chose United Cerebral Palsy because it’s an issue close to our hearts and minds,” says bar manager Serena Herrick. “We have friends and family affected and want to contribute as much as we can.”
New York’s Nitecap is raising funds for the American Himalayan Foundation with the All In, created by Natasha David: Wild Turkey Rye, Campari, Cinzano Extra Dry and Crème de Cacao. | Photo courtesy of Nitecap
Pour Vous is raising funds for the ASPCA with the Vinegroni. | Photo by Caroline Juen, courtesy of Pour Vous
Pour Vous bar manager, François Vera says, “The ASPCA does a wonderful service for animals and helps to protect them from cruelty, a cause we truly believe in.” For Negroni Week, Vera is featuring the Vinegroni: Beefeater 24, Campari, Punt e Mes, La Bête Côtes-du-Rhône and orange oils.
Brynn Smith sips her That’s Amore cocktail. | Photo by Mary Costa, courtesy of Sotto
Sotto is raising funds for Gettlove with That’s Amore: Tequila Ocho Reposado, Campari, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Carpano Antica and Braulio Amaro. “Gettlove is an amazing charity that helps homeless people in Los Angeles start to live sustainable lives,” says bar manager Brynn Smith. “It gets them back on their feet and the encouragement they need to succeed.”
Tacoteca is raising funds for Niños de Guatemala with El Cinco Siete (57): mezcal, Campari, sweet vermouth, habanero brine, citrus peel. | Photo courtesy of Tacoteca, via Facebook
So many Negronis, so little time. Of course, the Negroni Week concept is designed for you to visit these great bars and help them raise funds for their designated charities. Fortunately imbibers can stay with the theme long after Negroni Week has ended. After the jump, read on for recipes for the Eveleigh Negroni and The Foxhole, courtesy of Garrett Mikell and Mark Skeens, respectively. Cheers!
Eveleigh Negroni | Photo courtesy of Eveleigh
EVELEIGH NEGRONI
Recipe courtesy of Eveleigh bar manager, Garrett Mikell. Eveleigh will be donating $2 of every Negroni sold during Negroni Week to Communities in Schools.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Beefeater Gin
- .5 oz Campari
- .5 oz Cynar
- 1 oz Martini & Rossi Sweet Vermouth
Preparation:
- Build in a rocks glass.
- Add ice and stir.
- Garnish with an expressed and dropped orange peel.
THE FOXHOLE
Recipe courtesy of Mark Skeens at Big Bar.
Ingredients:
- .75 oz Campari
- .75 oz Gin
- .75 oz Smith + Cross Jamaican Rum
- .75 oz Velvet Falernum
Preparation:
- Stir with a big rock.
- Garnish with lemon and grapefruit peel.
