Drink For a Good Cause: Your Guide to Negroni Week 2018

Negroni Week is all about celebrating this classic drink and raising money for a good cause, so why not try out one of these offerings that bars of the 852 are serving up this year?

One part gin, one part vermouth rosso, one part Campari, and finished with an orange peel twist, the classic Negroni is hard to beat. Strong, bitter and oh-so grown up it’s a cocktail that’s perfect for a summer’s eve and gives us a true taste of Italy, and this week gives us the perfect excuse to try out some of the best in the city. Launched in 2013, and going strong ever since, Negroni Week is a global bar movement all about celebrating this classic drink, and raising money for charities all over the world. Growing from 120 participants, to now over 7,700 globally, here are our favourite offerings that bars of the 852 are serving up this year…

208 Duecento Otto

As one of our favourite Italian restaurants, and favourite spots in the city for an after work drink, we’re more than happy that 208 is getting involved in Negroni Week this year. The cocktail is a staple on the authentic Italian menu (and happy hour!) here, and is even available on tap. Consisting of the classic combination of Boodles London Dry Gin, Campari and Cinzano 1757 Rosso Vermouth, and with a portion of the proceeds going towards Slow Food International, it would be rude to have just one.

208 Duecento Otto, 208 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, www.208.com.hk

8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA

As the only three Michelin-starred restaurant outside of Italy, you can count on 8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA to do the classics right. For its Negroni Week offering this year, the Cocktail Bar and Lounge is keeping things timeless, with a concoction of Gin Mare, Campari, Carpano Antica, Scrappy’s Orange Bitter, Bitter Truth Grapefruit Bitter, Barolo, Chinato, Lemon Slices and Orange Wedges. Everything you want from a Negroni and more, with a portion of proceeds going towards Little Free Library. 

8½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA, Shop 202, Landmark Alexandra, 18 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.ottoemezzobombana.com

Alvy’s

Alvy’s can do very little wrong in our eyes, with its mouthwatering selection of pizzas, sides and craft brews, we come back time and time again. But along with the impressive selection of local and international beers available, Alvy’s also makes some of the best cocktails in the city (in our opinion). During Negroni Week, head here and taste test one of its two offerings – the Tom Cat Negroni and White Negroni – with a portion of proceeds going towards City Harvest.

Alvy’s, 8 Holland St, Sai Wan, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/AlvysHK 

Aqua

With its stunning view of the Hong Kong harbor, having a drink at Aqua is hard to beat, so we don’t need much of an excuse to head here for a night cap. A refreshing take on the Negroni, Aqua’s Mille Lire consists of Campari, Gin Mare, Mancino Amaranto, Italicus, Rosolio di Bergmotto and Coconut Water, all served in a Campari Coconut dusted glass, with a portion of proceeds going towards Autism Speaks.

Aqua, 29 & 30F, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, www.aqua.com.hk

Blue – Butcher & Meat Specialist

Blue Butcher is also getting involved in Negroni Week this year, with its special White Negroni, made from Gin Mare,  Lillet Blanc and Suze. Priced at $100 (and with $10 from each drink sol going towards No Kid Hungry), it’s hard to refuse.

Blue – Butcher & Meat Specialist, 108 Hollywood Rd, Tai Ping Shan, Hong Kong, www.bluebutcher.com

Jinjuu

Back for another year of Negroni Week, the modern Korean restaurant will also be serving its twist on the classic cocktail. With three drinks available, choose between the Seoul Has Negroni (with Hwayo 25%, Rinomatto Bianco, Mancino Secco, Lavender Bitters and Campari), Jinjuu’s Negroni (with Fords Gin, Mancino Rosso Vermouth, Mancino Chinato, Campari and Orange Bitters), or The Korean Samurai (with Hwayo 41, Mancino Sakura, Vermouth, Mancino Secco, Mandarin Bitters and Campari), with a portion of proceeds from each drink going to Autism Speaks. 

Jinjuu, UG, California Tower, 32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/JinjuuHK

Mrs. Pound, Foxglove and Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour

As part of Ming Fat House Group, Mrs. Pound, Foxglove and Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour will all be offering up their own special cocktails this Negroni Week. With all three bars known for the unique drinks on offer, we’re expecting big things from the interesting spins on the classic drink! Mrs. Pound will offer a Pei Pa Koa Negroni – a concoction of Campari, Tanqueray London Gin, Lillet Blanc, Yellow Chartreuse and Pei Pa Koa, whilst Foxglove will showcase Churchill’s Negroni, where head bar manager Derek Tsui has given a twist on the traditional negroni and included Ocho Blanco Tequila and Montelobos Joven Mezcal to give added hints of smoke and bitterness to the drink. Although Negroni Week officially only runs until 10 June, all three bars will be donating proceeds from the drinks all throughout June, with $10 from each Pei Pa Koa Negroni purchased from Mrs. Pound will be donated to Susan G. Komen and $10 from each negroni purchased at Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour and Foxglove will go towards the Helen David Fund Relief.

Mrs. Pound, G/F Ming Fat House, 6 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, www.mrspound.com

Foxglove, 2nd Floor Printing House, 6 Duddell Street/ 18 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong, www.foxglovehk.com

Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, www.drfernshk.com

Red Sugar

As a new favourite of ours in the city (the view really can’t be beaten), why not drink al fresco this week at Red Sugar? The stunning outdoor bar has three Negroni Week specials on offer; the Classic Negroni (with Plymouth Gin, Cinzano Vermouth Rosso and Campari), the Barrel Aged Negroni (8-weeks barrel aged Plymouth Gin, Cinzano Vermouth Rosso and Campari), and the Negroni Sbaligato (with Sweet Vermouth, Campari and Dry Prosecco), with a portion of proceeds going towards CORE charity.

Red Sugar, 7/F, The Kerry Hotel, 38 Hung Luen Rd, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, www.shangri-la.com

Uma Nota

Another favourite of ours that is helping us to drink for a good cause this month is Uma Nota! The lively Brazilian Japanese restaurant is bringing us two special cocktails, with its Pingo and Argila. Both cocktails are priced at $110, with a portion of proceeds going towards Mercy Corps. We particularly like the sound of the Pingo; consiting of Coffee infused gin, Cynar, Noilly prat and Antica formula.

Uma Nota, 38 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong, https://www.uma-nota.com/

Winstons Coffee

Did you know that this little coffee shop also serves up a mean cocktail? If you haven’t tried one of its offering, there’s no time like this week to get involved! Available at both locations, Winstons is serving up a full menu of Negronis, including an non-alcoholic option. $20 from each drink sold will be going towards breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen, so why not head down and try out a Coffee Negroni, or even a Kombucha Negroni for the cause?

Winstons Coffee, 213 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong 

Winstons Coffee, 11 Davis Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/winstonscoffeehk 

Zuma

Zuma is going to be serving its special Japanese Negroni, its own Japanese twist on a Classic Negroni, with Shiso and Umeshu for a softer take on the Italian classic. A portion of proceeds from Zuma’s chosen cocktail will go towards No Kid Hungry, a charity working to ensure that children across the USA have access to healthy food and don’t go hungry. 

Zuma, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, www.zumarestaurant.com