Negroni Week: A Classy Cocktail for a Good Cause

By Niall Roeder

Negroni Week is a worldwide initiative celebrating the refreshing aperitif, while raising money for charity… Not that we needed an excuse to have a cheeky Negroni, but now there’s more thirsty reasons than ever before!

The cocktail described as the Bitter Sweet Symphony is an elegant little number. A ruby blend of Campari, gin and vermouth, served on rocks in an Old Fashioned glass. It’s aromatic, balanced and an acquired taste, so be warned: you’ll get hooked.

The origins of this handsome devil are hazy. How it came about depends on who you speak to. The most widely reported version is that Count Camilo Negroni invented it in a Florentine café in the early 20th century, by ordering an Americano with gin instead of soda water. The bartender garnished it with orange to distinguish it further and served it up to the Count. What a creative chap… or maybe he just really needed a stiff drink!

In the spirit of Negroni Week, Gowing’s Bar & Grill and Parlour Lane Roasters will be offering Negronis throughout the week at a discounted price of $15.00, with $1.00 from every Negroni sold being donated to Beyond Blue.

If these venues raise the most donations, Campari will donate an additional $10,000 to the chosen charity. Bottoms up!

Negroni week is in conjunction with Imbibe magazine and Campari and runs from June 1 – 7.