This year’s Negroni Week will take place from 5 to 11 June across the globe, and in Singapore we’ll see the biggest celebration of the bitter-sweet gin, Campari and vermouth-based cocktail yet.
Negroni Week was first launched in 2013 by Imbibe Magazine in the United States as a celebration of one of the cocktail world’s greatest efforts to raise money for charitable causes around the globe. The movement has exploded across the world since – from 2013 to 2016, Negroni Week grew from about 100 participating venues to 6,000 venues around the world, and to date, collectively raised nearly US$900,000 for charitable causes.
In Singapore, Negroni Week has also grown. Last year we saw some 32 bars participate; this year that number has skyrocketed to over 60 bars that will present over 100 Negroni and Negroni-inspired cocktails that’s a nod of respect for the classic, but also showcase their individual flair and creativity.
We take a look at some of the cocktails a number of these bars are putting out, and recommend which drinks – and associated causes – you should be putting your money into.
Rum and Raisin Negroni ($22++), Rhyse Borland, Sugarhall.
Sugarhall’s Rhyse Borland combines Campari with sweet vermouth and raisin-infused aged rum for a rum version of the Negroni. Yes, it’s genius. $1 goes to Alzheimer’s Disease Association for every one sold.
102 Amoy St, Singapore 069922.
Classic Negroni ($20++), Boo Jing Heng, Tess Bar & Kitchen.
This is about as straightforward a classic Negroni as you can get from Tess Bar’s Diageo Reserve World Class Singapore 2016 winner Jing, made with Campari, The Botanist Gin, and Cinzano Rosso Vermouth. $3 goes to Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund for each Classic Negroni sold.
38 Seah St, Singapore 188394.
Stone Negroni ($23++), Aki Eguchi, Gibson.
Gibson’s Diageo Reserve World Class Singapore 2011 and 2012 winner Aki Eguchi adds cherry syrup to the classic Campari, Gin and Sweet Vermouth combination. Alzheimer’s Disease Association gets $1 for each of this sold.
2nd floor, 20 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089834.
Nanyang Negroni ($18++), Nutmeg & Clove.
The team over at Nutmeg & Clove concocted this TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) inspired cocktail made with “Huang Lian” infused Gin, Chrysanthemum syrup, Lillet Blanc, and Cinzano 1757 Bianco Vermouth. A generous $5 goes to Beyond Social Services for each sold.
10 Ann Siang Hill, Singapore 069789.
Solera Aged Negroni ($25++), Manhattan.
A product of Manhattan’s barrel aging program, this Negroni – Campari, French Gin, Rye Gin, Italian Sweet Vermouth, Gran Classico Bitters – goes through a Solera blending process for ultimate consistency. Run For Hope gets $1 for each of this sold.
Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Rd, Singapore 249715.
Negroni Twist ($22++), Shigeru Nakamura, Jigger & Pony.
Jigger & Pony’s Shigeru Makamura gives the Negroni a “twist” using a hibiscus infused vermouth along with the requisite Campari and Gin. $1 for Alzheimer’s Disease Association per Negroni Twist sold.
101 Amoy Street, Singapore 069921.
Café Negroni ($24 nett), Kino Soh, Highball.
Better known for its wide range of highballs than the Negroni, Highball’s Kino Soh nevertheless combines Campari, London Dry Gin, Coffee Liqueur, French Sweet Vermouth for a caffeine laden version. $2 goes to Animal Lovers League and $1 to Children’s Cancer Foundation for each Negroni sold, and owner head bartender will match dollar for dollar what Highball donates to the latter.
#01-01, 79 Kampong Bahru Road, Singapore 169377.
Chai Negroni ($22++), Jerrold Khoo, Flagship.
Flagship’s Jerrold Khoo combines Campari, The Botanist Gin, Chai-infused Cinzano Rosso, and elderflower liqueur for this Chai tea-inspired creation. What, no whiskey in this, Jerrold? $1 goes to Alzheimer’s Disease Association for each sold.
20 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089834.
Frozen Negroni ($24++), Din Hassan, CÉ LA VI Singapore.
Newly appointed head bartender Din Hassan puts together what must be an alcoholic slushie with Campari, Gin, Sweet Vermouth, and orange juice. $2 goes to the Singapore National Paralympics Council for each of this Negroni sold.
Level 57, Marina Bay Sands Hotel, 1 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018971.
Playful Eye ($25 nett), Ganeshvara, Smoke & Mirrors.
Smoke & Mirrors puts together some of the most gastronomic cocktails ever, and this one by Ganeshvara features edible styrofoam along with Campari, London Dry Gin, and homemade spiced Rosso Vermouth. Intriguing. A generous $5 goes towards the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation for each Playful Eye sold.
Level 4, National Gallery of Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Rd, Singapore 178957.
Rose Oolong Negroni ($22++), Malcolm Maravillas, The Secret Mermaid.
Malcolm Maravillas puts a floral tea-like touch to his Negroni made with Campari, New York Gin-infused with Rose Oolong tea, Italian Sweet Vermouth, and Lavender Bitters. $2 goes to Make-A-Wish Foundation for each one sold.
10 Collyer Quay, B1-08, Ocean Financial Centre, 049315
Shoreline Sipper ($20++), Cherrie Soh, Humpback.
Humpback’s Cherrie Soh puts together tropical and spicy flavours in her Negroni Week creation. combining Campari, Gin, Cointreau, pineapple-infused Cocchi Americano, and white peppercorn tincture. Sounds like it’ll be perfect with the oysters Humpback is famous for. $1 goes to Alzheimer’s Disease Association for every one sold.
18-20 Bukit Pasoh Rd, Singapore 089834.
Sunny Garden Fizz ($21+), Gento Torigata, D2TLLRY.
D2TLLRY’s Gento Torigata makes what sounds more like a long drink than the short spirit-forward one that’s the classic Negroni aperitif, with Campari, Gin, tomato, honey, lemon, habanero bitters, soda, and salted bubbles. Or something that belongs on a Michelin-starred restaurant menu. $1 goes to Cat Welfare Society for every of this sold.
50 Market Street #01-28A, Golden Shoe Car Park, Singapore 048940.
Worlds Apart ($22 nett), Kelly D’Cruz, The World Is Flat.
Worlds Apart is what happens when Kelly D’Cruz combines gins from three different countries – United States, Germany and England – along with Campari and Italian Sweet Vermouth. $2 is donated to Save Our Street Dogs for each of this sold.
80 Airport Boulevard,02-39 Changi Airport Terminal 1, Singapore 819642.
Aged Monkey ($20+), Kannan Pillai, Flying Monkey.
Another rum-based Negroni; Kannan Pillai of Indian-inspired gastrobar Flying Monkey – known for using Indian ingredients and ideas in their cocktails – mixes up Campari, Indian Dark Rum, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth, and Orange Bitters, and then ages the concoction for 21 days. A whopping $10 goes Singapore Children’s Society for each Aged Monkey sold.
67 Bussorah St, Singapore 199480.
Classic ($23++), Bannie Kang, Anti:Dote.
Nothing fancy, just quality ingredients with Campari, The Botanist Gin, and Cinzano 1757 Rosso Vermouth from The Bar Awards Best Female Bartender 2015 winner. 20% of Negroni sales here go toward Singapore Children’s Society.
Fairmont Singapore, Level 1, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882.
