The aperitif of champions – the potent but distinctively spot-on beverage that is the ruby-red Negroni – is deservedly being celebrated in jubilant style around the UK this week.
You may previously have been solely focused on that bitterly delicious hit of Campari, gin and sweet vermouth rather than the origins of the Italian cocktail staple, but to fill you in, it was named after the eccentric Count Camillo Negroni – who legend has it asked his bartender amico to stiffen up his regular drink, the also still-popular Americano, by mixing it with gin rather than soda water. The drink became a regular serve at Caffe Casoni in Florence, with its invention dated to 1919 – giving cause for celebration and this year’s special N100 parties, launched by Campari to mark a century of Negroni enjoyment.
Here’s the low-down on the hot tickets for N100: Cheers to the Count, which will honour this year’s Negroni Week (24 – 30 June) with a series of events running from Thursday 20th June, bringing together over 100 cocktail recipes from the UK’s best bars and mixologists.
- Thursday 20th June – The Vinyl Factory – London
Snap a Negroni selfie in N100: The Classics bar, or learn how to craft a top Negroni in a bar built entirely of ice. Head to ‘Cafe Culture’ or Globetrotters bar and learn more about the cocktail’s illustrious history – all while sipping on the delightful aperitif, of course.
Tickets here: https://lineupnow.com/event/n100-cheers-to-the-count
- Saturday, 22nd June – Oriole N100 Club Night: Mixology: The art of Negroni – London
Head to Oriole’s Negroni 100 Club, a decadent Italian discotheque. Seated table tickets (including complimentary pre-batched Negronis for the table) available alongside standing tickets and walk-ins.
- Sunday, 23rd June Hoot the Redeemer: The Rulebreakers – Edinburgh
The Scottish capital is getting in on the rouge action, with Hoot the Redeemer serving their own twist on the cocktail, with a choice of Negroni ‘Ice Cream’ and concoctions including Teuchter’s Burd Slushy, Plaza Garibaldi’s, The Skagliato – comprising of Campari, Buckfast and Irn-Bru and the Munro Bagger, mixing Campari, single malt whisky and sweet vermouth.
- Tuesday 25th June – Jealous Prints: Campari Creates – London
For one night only the Shoreditch gallery will encapsulate the creative history of the Negroni by inviting you to create your own personalised Negroni and Negroni artwork.
Tickets available here: https://lineupnow.com/event/campari-celebrates-negroni-week-with-campari-creates-at-jealous-prints
- Wednesday, 26th June – Vermuteria: Cafe Culture – London
Vermuteria, in Coal Drops Yard at King’s Cross is an all-day café and bar will be serving a dedicated Negroni on the terrace for you to choose from. Sample the Clear Negroni made with a rare 1965 Campari Cordial.
- Thursday 27th June – Science and Industry: N100 – The Classics – Manchester
Science & Industry will showcase the N100 classics with a menu that uses their drinks laboratory to create experimental takes on Negronis, Americanos, Boulevardiers, and Sbagliatos.
- Thursday 27th June – Callooh Callay: Globetrotters – London
Callooh Callay in Shoreditch will showcase the global story of the Negroni, which began in Florence also travels across Italy to Milan and Turin, and across the globe to London and New York.
For more information, visit https://www.instagram.com/campariuk
