Negroni Week is back from 21 – 27 September, and London’s bars and restaurants are once again putting their own spin on Italy’s famous cocktail. These are the best Negronis in London.
The Negroni dates back more than a century to Florence, where the story goes that Count Camillo Negroni asked for his usual Americano to be made stronger by replacing the soda water with gin. The resulting combination of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth has since become one of the world’s most recognisable drinks.
This year, Negroni Week celebrations go well beyond the classic pour. Across London, there are limited-edition menus, tableside Negroni trolleys and inventive new serves, alongside food pairings, live music and even cocktails with a side of your own portrait.
Some of these specials are here for Negroni Week only, while others are sticking around throughout September. Either way, as we swap summer spritzes for something a little more autumnal, these are the London Negronis worth seeking out this month.
Bar 45
Alongside its Classic Negroni, Bar 45 at 45 Park Lane will pour three special house creations throughout the week. Guests can choose from the Devilish Negroni, combining Tanqueray gin, red vermouth, amaro, Campari and Fernet-Branca; the Mexican Negroni, made with Tequila Reserva de la Familia Reposado, and intriguing ingredients including a mushroom mix and sweetcorn! And the Umami Negroni, bringing together Oyster gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, black cherry, blue cheese and cocoa nibs – with £1 from every Negroni sold donated to Slow Food.
On 24 September, the celebrations take a Mexican turn as Bar Mauro takes over for the evening, putting tequila negronis centre stage with cocktails including the Negroni 1929 and the Bananero.
Gin Bar At Holborn Dining Room
With more than 300 bottles behind the bar, Rosewood London’s Gin Bar at Holborn Dining Room is home to London’s largest collection of gin so, naturally, it takes its Negronis very seriously. Its signature Classic Negroni uses the restaurant’s own small-batch gin, created with Cornish distillery Tarquin’s and infused with rock samphire, alongside Campari and Cocchi di Torino. However, there are also plenty of alternatives for those looking for a less traditional pour too. The British Negroni pairs London Fernet and homemade vermouth with Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, while the Asian Negroni combines Hayman’s Exotic Citrus Gin, Aperol and homemade vermouth. Better still, with hundreds of possible combinations of gin, bitters and vermouth behind the bar, the team can tailor a Negroni to your own taste, ideal for anyone more particular on their favourite take.
Cafe Murano
Café Murano is marking Negroni Week with three limited edition twists on the Italian cocktail, each taking the pour in a different direction. There’s the Bianco, combining pear-infused gin with Cocchi Americano and Martini Extra Dry; the Rosato, a sparkling, pomegranate-infused rum take on the Sbagliato; and Bruno, a richer riff, with rye whisky, Cynar, Campari and chocolate bitters. For those skipping the alcohol, Café Murano’s Non-Alcoholic Negroni is also available.
The Doyle Collection
The Doyle Collection’s London hotels are celebrating with three distinct takes on the classic cocktail. There’s the Dingle Negroni, a traditional combination of Dingle Gin, Campari and Mancino Rosso Amaranto; the more floral Coral Negroni, pairing Amaro Santoni and Sakura vermouth with London Dry Gin; and, for something richer, the Cacao Negroni brings together Roku Gin, Antica Formula, chilli liqueur and crème de cacao. Across The Kensington, The Marylebone and The Bloomsbury, cocktails are £19, while the Negroni Trio (£30) offers the chance to sample all three in smaller tasting serves. Non-drinkers aren’t forgotten either, with a No-Groni (£14) available throughout the week.
Manetta’s Bar
Inside Flemings Mayfair, Manetta’s Bar brings a little 1930s glamour to Negroni Week. The five-star hotel, one of London’s oldest, is also celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. Its art deco interiors make an appropriately decadent backdrop for a cocktail or two. Its signature Negroni menu goes well beyond the classic, with five variations to choose from. Try the Yellow Negroni, with gin, Suze, limoncello and Bénédictine; the Fashionable Negroni, which adds rosé gin and ginger liqueur; or go smokier with the Oaxacan Negroni, combining tequila and mezcal with vermouth, maraschino and Campari.
Roka
ROKA is giving aperitivo a Japanese twist, teaming up with Peddlers Gin and Karminia Vermouth on a special collaborative serve available across its London restaurants. For the full experience, however, head to the Shochu Lounge at ROKA Charlotte Street from Thursday to Saturday, where the celebrations extend to a bespoke menu of three Japanese-inspired Negronis, plus a non-alcoholic alternative, all created especially for the week and priced at £10 each. There’s an extra reason to visit on 24 September, when guests can enter a raffle to win prizes including dinner at ROKA or Peddlers Gin cocktail kits and bottles.
The Mirror Bar at The Landmark
Come for the Negroni, leave with your own portrait. The Mirror Bar is turning red for a special Campari residency this September, transforming its intimate surrounds into a celebration of Italian aperitivo culture. Alongside the classic Campari Negroni, they are serving up the more tropical Mi-Ki Negroni, best accompanied by some of the suitably indulgent bar snacks on offer including lobster arancini and parmesan-truffled fries. On select evenings, illustrator Anna Obert will also be in residence, sketching bespoke portraits of guests to take home, making this one of the more memorable ways to mark Negroni Week. The Campari takeover runs from 15 September to 5 October, so there’s a little more time to experience it than the official week itself.
Thorn Bar at Rosina
For an experience as much about the aperitivo ritual as the cocktail itself, head to Thorn Bar, tucked inside Adam Byatt’s neighbourhood Italian restaurant Rosina on Wandsworth Common. Bar manager Jason Duncan has created an extended menu of five takes on the classic, ranging from a Cherry Sour Negroni and citrusy Amalfi Shaken Negroni to a White Negroni. Better still are the snacks to go alongside them. Byatt has put together a suitably Italian selection featuring gnocco fritto with Salame Rosa, fried Taleggio cheese and smoked sardines piled onto toasted sourdough.
Sal e Pepe and Sal e Pepe Mare
Next up is an Italian double act; Sal e Pepe is serving its special Negroni collection at both its original Knightsbridge restaurant, a London institution since 1974, and its newer seafood-focused sister, Sale e Pepe Mare at The Langham. Created by bar director Pietro Collina, the menu takes the classic Negroni as its starting point, with a collection of five negronis that takes drinkers on a tour of Italy. Each Negroni has been inspired by the flavours and stories of different regions. The Florence stays close to the classic combination of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth; the Sicilian-inspired Messina adds saffron-infused Cocchi Americano and Suze; while the Portofino brings a Mediterranean note with fig leaf liqueur. Coffee lovers should try the Trieste, which adds tobacco liqueur and cold-drip coffee for a bolder, aromatic serve. There’s a No-Groni too, while both restaurants offer plenty of Italian plates should aperitivo turn into dinner.
Nipotina
Mayfair’s Nipotina has enlisted hospitality writer and creator Henry Southan to shake things up. His limited-edition Negroni Shakerato takes its cue from the classic Campari Shakerato, shaking Campari, Malfy Gin, sweet vermouth and orange juice over ice before serving it in a chilled martini glass. Joining it is Nipotina’s signature Clay Pot Negroni, made with Earl Grey and lavender-infused gin, and the cherry-led Negroni alla Ciliegia, with Malfy Gin, maraschino liqueur and red vermouth. Head chef Somaia Hammad has taken care of the aperitivo snacks, with Cantabrian anchovies on pan brioche, pizzetta Margherita and croutons topped with Squacquerone cheese and Parma ham among the stuzzichini to order alongside.
Around Bar
Exmouth Market’s neighbourhood cocktail spot Around Bar is giving the Negroni plenty of attention on their special’s menu throughout the week. Purists can keep things simple with a £7 Negroni made with Bombay Sapphire, Campari and sweet vermouth, or opt for a £4 Mini Negroni if you’re just after a taste. For something less traditional, there’s the Coconut Right Hand, mixing Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum with Campari and sweet vermouth; a classic Boulevardier made with Heart Cut Whisky; and the smoky XO Negroni, combining Koch Elemental Mezcal, sweet vermouth and Around XO. Settle in at the bar, grab a table on the terrace and enjoy a cocktail along with complimentary aperitivo-inspired snacks.
Tozi Restaurant & Bar, Victoria & TOZI Pizzeria & Cicchetti Bar, Battersea
Negronis come tableside at TOZI Victoria this September, courtesy of a dedicated trolley rolling through the restaurant with three limited-edition serves. Choose Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day, a rich, bittersweet combination of Seven Hills, Select and coffee-infused vermouth; the smooth, herbal 50 Special; or the playfully named Beesou S(bee)gliato for a twist on the sparkling classic. Across the river, sister restaurant TOZI Pizzeria & Cicchetti Bar in Battersea is joining the celebrations with three Negroni specials of its own. Order yours at the bar alongside a spread of Venetian-style cicchetti to wash them down.
GNH Bar at Kaya Great Northern Hotel
Negronis and live jazz make GNH Bar at Kaya Great Northern Hotel. Every Wednesday evening throughout September, Jodie Shankland takes to the stage while the bar serves a month-long menu dedicated to the cocktail. Traditionalists can stick with the original, while the more adventurous can try a smoky Mezcal Negroni, the fruitier Sloegroni or a complex Barrel Aged Negroni. There’s also a non-alcoholic Nogroni for anyone avoiding alcohol. Jazz runs from 6pm–8pm each Wednesday.
Young’s Pubs
Why celebrate for a week when you can make a month of it? Young’s is stretching Negroni season across the whole of September, with five twists on the Italian classic pouring across 18 London pubs. For something different, try the Savoury Negroni, which swaps gin for Altos Plata tequila and adds tomato liqueur and olive bitters for an umami-rich spin, or go darker with the Coffee Negroni, mixing Campari and Plymouth Gin with Kahlúa and chocolate bitters. And here’s one worth knowing: Young’s On Tap app users can claim a complimentary Plymouth Negroni using the code NEGRONI, with 1,000 free serves up for grabs. A free Negroni in London? We’ll take it.
Lanes of London
For an early taste of autumn, Lanes of London is marking Negroni Week with two seasonal twists. The Orchard Negroni leans fresh and fruity, adding apple liqueur and bitters to the traditional combination of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, while the Merchants Negroni Sour pairs spiced gin and Campari with Earl Grey, lemon and orange bitters, resulting in a more aromatic take on the original.
Casa Felicia
Queen’s Park has become a destination for good dining, and Casa Felicia brings a dose of Southern Italian spirit to NW6. Inspired by Naples, it’s the kind of place where aperitivo naturally leads into dinner – and for Negroni Week, classic Negronis are just £5. Order one before settling in for chef Francesco Savornio’s handmade pasta and seasonal Italian plates, and you’ve got a convincing taste of Italy without leaving Queen’s Park.
Lead image credit: The Doyle Collection
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