Toast Negroni Week June 5-11 With Spirited Cocktails Across LA Slideshow
Breakfast Negroni
An especially nice neighborhood joint in Silver Lake, Bar Angeles will serve a liquid "breakfast of champions" called Breakfast Negroni for Negroni Week. Concocted by bar director Alex Barbatsis, the Breakfast Negroni is comprised of Campari, Carpano Antica sweet vermouth, and apricot liqueur, topped with sparkling wine. "I love Negronis, and I wanted something similar on the brunch menu but lighter," says Barbatsis, who originally thought of mixing Negroni Spagliatos but wanted to make something fruitier. "My inspiration came from the different jams I liked on my toast in the morning with my coffee, and apricot jam stuck out to me. Using apricot liqueur added a nice round texture and brightness." You're on your own though, if you want this one during breakfast hours, as Bar Angeles is only open evenings. Barbatsis recommends that guests pair this eye-opener with pizza and pasta from executive chef and partner Joey Booterbaugh.
Bar Angeles: 4330 Sunset Blvd., LA. 323-741-8371
Classic Negronis
Bar director Alex Barbatsis is also going back to the classics at Café Birdie, where he's prepared a complete menu of classic Negroni variants. For Negroni Week, guests can choose from a list of classic variations, ranging from the Original Negroni (gin, sweet vermouth, Campari), a Cardinal (gin, dry vermouth, Campari), a Boulevardier (whiskey, sweet vermouth, Campari), and a White Negroni (gin, bianco vermouth, and Salers Gentiane). "We love the classic Negroni and its variations, so we wanted to put them in the spotlight at Cafe Birdie," says Barbatsis. "Pairing a bittersweet stirred cocktail with Cal-Mediterranean food is a delightful pairing, and we also appreciate the opportunity to share a bit of cocktail history with our customers."
Cafe Birdie: 5631 N Figueroa St., LA. 323-739-6928
Rosé Parade
The Highland Park speakeasy Good Housekeeping will tip its hat to its Pasadena neighbor to the east with a special Negroni Week cocktail, the Rosé Parade. The crafty recipe employs gin, rosehip-infused Campari, and a house-made rosé vermouth. "We wanted to showcase our house-made ingredients at Good Housekeeping," says bar director Alex Barbatsis. "Our bar manager, Lauren Pool, has a great rosehip Campari, and I've been working on the rosé vermouth for a while, so Negroni week was the perfect time to debut both of them."
Bitter Fresca
For Negroni Week 2017, Pasadena's charming Crossings Restaurant will serve a pair of Negroni variations by head mixologist Ruben Pasqual. His light White Negroni offers a subtle twist on the original: gin, dry vermouth, Cocchi Americano, and orange bitters. "It's a great option for the summertime when you're looking for a Negroni but feel like something just a touch lighter," says Pasqual. Bartender Michelle Lewis is pouring a bubbly variation on a Negroni, named the Bitter Fresa: strawberry-infused Campari, Old Tom gin, simple syrup, lemon, and sparkling wine.
Crossings Restaurant: 1010 Mission St., South Pasadena. 626-799-7001
Isola Amara
Just for Negroni Week, Salt's Cure in Hollywood will be serving the Isola Amara — or "bitter island" — made with pineapple-infused gin, bitter Punt y Mes vermouth, and a house-made coconut-infused Campari. Call it a tiki-fied mash-up of a Pina Colada and a Negroni. "The basic flavors of the piña colada are strange bedfellows with the Negroni, but they work," says bar manager Joe Swifka. "Sometimes opposites attract."
Salt's Cure: 1155 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. 323-465-7258