Drink Special Negronis At Your Favorite Chicago Bars For Negroni Week
By Chicagoist_Guest in Food on Jun 1, 2016 2:33PM
By Leigh Kunkel
With winter officially behind us, we can finally move on from whiskey drinks. (Okay, maybe not totally.) But warm weather is the perfect time for cold cocktails, and for those still looking for a stiff drink, the combination of gin, vermouth, and Campari should be right up your alley. That’s right—it’s Negroni season.
It’s kicking off with Negroni Week, a yearly event that helps participating venues raise money for the charity of their choice through selling this classic cocktail or one of its many variations. Last year, the event raised approximately $350,000 for charities across America.
More than 4000 venues across the country are participating, and bars and restaurants all over Chicago are joining in this year’s event, which runs from June 6 to 12, so you can check to see if your favorite is involved, or use it as an excuse to try somewhere new. Just make sure to order plenty of drinks. You know, for charity.
Here are a few of our favorite venues:
Luxbar is serving a "Gold Coast Negroni", combining Campari, Martin Miller gin, Punt E Mes, blood orange pâte and gold leaf and serving it over hand-carved ice. Their charitable partner is Misericordia Heart of Mercy.
Southport and Irving is pouring a "Mellow Negroni" made with Ransom Old Tom gin, Mancino Ambrato sweet vermouth and Campari, with proceeds going to Un86'd.
Barrelhouse Flat has come up with the "Most Improved Player," a combination of Plymouth Navy Strength gin, Cocchi Americano Rosa, Campari, Gran Classico, St. George Raspberry Brandy and House Root Beer Bitters, with proceeds going to the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
There's a food twist on the negroni at Osteria Langhe, which is cooking up a negroni panna cotta with proceeds going to Pilot Light.