Where to Celebrate Negroni Week 2015

Negroni Week is almost here! Be sure to stop by one of these bars to sip a cool cocktail for charity

Negroni Week

From June 1-7, there is only one cocktail that you should be drinking: the Negroni. In support of Negroni Week — an annual charity fundraiser organised by Imbibe magazine and Campari — several B.C. restaurants and bars are creating a variation on the classic Negroni and donating a portion of the profits from each drink to a local charity of their choice. Last year, over 1,200 establishments participated worldwide raising over $120,000 for local charities, and this year more than 2,000 bars are participating so expect that total to be smashed. All you need to do is go to a participating bar, order a Negroni and feel the warm glow of helping others. Here are some of our favourites spots across the city and beyond participating in Negroni Week 2015.

Credit: Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar

Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar’s Justin Taylor has outdone himself this year with the Negroni Spectrum — a super-fun carnival-inspired snow cone trio to choose from with red, orange and blue Negronis featuring Blue Çuraco and Manzana apple. Money raised will go towards the Fawkes Academy, a cause close to Justin’s heart as this is the school his son Jackson attends. The kitchen team has created a carnival snack to pair with this joyful slurp of a cocktail, a signature corn dog on a stick with — of course — Campari mustard.

Location: 845 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Credit: Cuchillo

Cuchillo

Cuchillo has created a cocktail within a cocktail. Bartender Amber Bruce explains: “We wanted to create a Negroni that would be light and refreshing and pair well with our Latin-themed menu. One night at home I was jonesing for a Paloma, but alas, no grapefruit juice or grapefruit soda. So I did what any bartender with a mad hankering would do, I improvised. I made a version with Campari, Tequila, lime and soda, and it was a delight. This cocktail is the graduated version of that with El Jimador Silver Tequila, Campari, Lillet Rose, grapefruit, lime juice and soda, with black Campari Salt. We will be supporting The Dugout as our charity pick. The Dugout is a drop-in centre in the Downtown Eastside that serves as a neighbourhood living room for the homeless in our community and for those living in Single Room Occupancies. We like to support the neighborhood, and these guys are located right down the street from us.”

Location: 261 Powell Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Credit: Grain Tasting Bar

Grain Tasting Bar

Grain Tasting Bar will be raising money for Special Olympics BC as it has a personal connection with that cause. A member of its team, server Jenny Rube, has a sister who competes. For its variation, Grain will be running a tea-infused Long Table Gin Negroni alongside regular Negronis for $11. On Wednesday June 3 it will offer both Negronis on special for $8.

Location: 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C.

Credit: Fairmont Pacific Rim Lobby Lounge

Fairmont Pacific Rim Lobby Lounge

Canada’s best bartender, the award-winning Grant Sceney and his team at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Lobby Lounge have created a trio of Negronis with $1 from each going to Make-A-Wish BC & Yukon. “The Negroni is a classic that delivers a complex yet harmonious balance with just three ingredients. We have some simple yet unique variations on the classic Negroni to highlight its balance and simple diversity,” says Grant. “Three Feet of Courage uses a a bolder Genever gin, inspired by ‘Dutch courage’ and we use a more floral rose vermouth to lighten the base. Our Oaxaca and Back highlights that by changing one ingredient you have a completely new drink. Removing the light botanicals of gin and replacing it with a bold mezcal gives a subtle and intriguing smoke flavour.”

Location: 1038 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C.

Credit: Negroni Week Victoria

Negroni Week in Victoria

Over in Victoria, bars are working collaboratively to create a major community fundraising event. Each venue has picked its own charity and there will be a #WWGRD (What Would Gary Regan Do) cocktail competition with bartenders from participating venues showing off their twist on the Negroni. Head off on a All Negroni All The Time safari around town, but definitely check out Olo with ace bartender/booze author Shawn Soole, and the always-innovative Veneto Lounge at the Hotel Rialto.

Credit: Granville Room

Granville Room

The Granville Room is going Negroni-crazy thanks to bartender Trevor Kallies, who is offering a different feature cocktail every night, plus Negroni popsicles (yes please!) on sale daily. Look out for Wednesday’s sparkling Negroni with Prosecco and the Negroni-esque with rosé and grapefruit syrup. Its charity of choice is the Downtown Eastside.

Location: 957 Granville St. Vancouver, B.C.

Credit: 27

27

Kelowna’s new favourite cocktail bar, 27, is home to mad scientist/bartender Gerry Jobe. His Negroni, Coupe Seville, is a summery blend of Camomile Gin, Campari, Vermouth, stirred and strained over a Marmalade/Campari Popsicle. One dollar from each purchase will go to the MS Society. Its sister restaurant, Pilgrim & Pearl is doing a Sous Vide Pineapple Negroni with a pineapple corkscrew garnish, with funds going to the same charity.

Location: 1675 Abbott St, Kelowna, B.C.

Credit: The Blackbird Public House & Oyster Bar

The Blackbird Public House & Oyster Bar

There are six Negroni variations on the menu at The Blackbird Public House & Oyster Bar, including wallet-friendly ($5) Negroni granitas and jellos for those who want to drink on a budget. Cocktail connoisseurs should check out the Aged Negroni which is made with delicious Victoria Spirits Oaken gin for a local B.C. twist. Funds raised will go to the Downtown Eastside.

Location: 905 Dunsmuir St, Vancouver, B.C.

Credit: UVA

UVA

UVA will be featuring the “Liberation”,  which celebrates the “liberation” of Spain, Italy and France — from where the cocktail’s ingredients are derived — after WWII. This refreshing spin on the classic Negroni features Campari, Pere Magloire Calvados, Fino Sherry, Lillet and Cascade Celery Bitters. Two dollars from each Liberation cocktail will be donated towards Partners for Mental Health.

Location: The Moda Hotel, 900 Seymour St,Vancouver, B.C.

Credit: The Diamond

The Diamond

Serving up a Negroni twist called Bitter Grapes, the inspiration for the drink, according to The Diamond team, comes from the base of pisco: the grape itself. When you bite into a fresh grape, the sweetness of its meat is always balanced by bitterness and astringency from the skin and seeds. In this drink, the bitter Campari plays off of the fruity Cocchi Americano Bianco and the round, rich pisco. The Diamond is donating to A Better Life Foundation, a DTES-based charity.

Location: 6 Powell St,Vancouver, B.C.

Credit: CinCin

CinCin

Finally, if you’re looking to re-calibrate your Negroni palate, there’s nowhere better than on a bar stool at CinCin, which is now home to ace bartender David Wolowidnyk, formerly at West restaurant. “It seems all too often that people are trying to reinvent the wheel, so I really just want to focus on the true classic Negroni. After all, isn’t that what Negroni Week is truly meant to celebrate?, says Wolowidnyk. “There is a good reason why classics are classics, and the Negroni is a true bitter sweet symphony of flavours.” Money raised will be going to the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation.

Location: 1154 robson St, Vancouver, B.C.