Hi again, folks! it's Ronaldo, your Italian bartender here. Sorry I'm running late. A year ago I posted from Florence, birthplace of the Negroni, but over the past ten years there have been at least a dozen stories on Cornichon extolling this quintessential cocktail.
This very week, over 30 bars around Seattle are participating in a nationwide Negroni promotion called, not surprisingly, Negroni Week. (You can check which ones here.) It's a very well-done promotion, with consistent signage outside and indoors, a single distinct message ("7 Days, 3 Ingredients") and a feel-good payoff: each bar contributes to a different charity. On my street, Second Avenue in Belltown, four five bars within 500 feet are participating (Rob Roy, Clever Bottle, Mix Martini Lounge, Rocco's, and Tavolata); nationwide, almost 1,300 bars have signed up.
This is a great way to sell Campari, of course, a concoction that has its detractors as well as avid supporters. Campari doesn't mandate any particular gin or brand of vermouth, but does require the participating bartenders is to follow the simple rule: three equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin. No mention of an orange peel.
There's swag, too: Negroni coasters that feature an "official Negroni drinkingn pop-out mustache," and Negroni T-shirts. And you know you've done well when you see Surly Gourmand posting on Facebook "Don't wear a Negroni-related T-shirt. Actually don't do that even when it's NOT Negroni Week." On the other hand, Surly says you should drink barrel-aged Negronis. Personally, I think it depends on the vermouth.
Anyway, Negroni Week runs through June 8th. There's going to be a Negroni Punch party on Saturday night at Clever Bottle, 2222 2nd Ave. Cheers! Salute!
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