12 Cocktail Specials to Drink During Negroni Week 2017

Spanish, Japanese, and Classic Italian negroni for Negroni Week 2017 at Pagu. / Photo by Tracy Chang

Cocktail lovers don’t need an excuse to order a negroni—the classic mix of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth is a favorite of many bartenders, Italian grandfathers, and patio diners alike. But in 2013, Imbibe magazine and Campari first teamed up on an added reason to love the negroni: a celebratory week supporting charities across the globe. The first three years of Negroni Week have collectively raised more than $900,000.

Negroni Week 2017 kicks off today through Sunday, June 11. More than 80 Greater Boston spots are participating, from Italian-leaning watering holes like Coppa, Benedetto, and Mida, to places you might not think to order an apéritif, like Lord Hobo, Banyan Bar + Refuge, and East Coast Grill.

We explored the list for a dozen different takes on the negroni available around town this week, so you can start your nights with a refreshing drink, and a good deed.

Area Four Boston

In addition to a $12 negroni in support of Lovin’ Spoonfuls on draft all week, the South End branch of this pizza paradise is hosting a stir-your-own negroni party with Campari on Wednesday, June 7. Customize your own concoction, nosh on small bites, and play a couple rounds of cornhole—plus, a slice of pizza comes free with every negroni purchase that night.

Stir-Your-Own Negroni Party, Wednesday, June 7, 9 p.m., Area Four, 264 East Berkeley St., South End, Boston, 857-317-4805, areafour.com, Facebook event.

The Automatic’s “Coconugroni” for Negroni Week. / Photo by Creative Katz

The Automatic

The newest cocktail bar in Cambridge can always fix you a classic negroni or a variation, but this week, it’s also in on the official fun. The Coconugroni, with Prairie Organic gin, Clement Coco Mahina coconut liqueur, and Campari, benefits Slow Food International.

50 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617-714-5226, theautomaticbar.com.

Kirkland Tap & Trotter

The Negroni Week special here is nine months in the making. The bar team at chef Tony Maws’ Somerville spot joined forces with Irish craft producer Glendalough Distillery on a barrel-aged Boulevardier, a negroni riff that subs whiskey for gin. On Tuesday, June 6, Glendalough’s U.S. brand ambassador, Donal O’Gallachoir, will tap the Boulevardier keg, and he’ll also bring along bottles of the company’s newest product, Wild Botanical Gin, to mix up some $5 craft cocktails. There will be a bit of food, plus a raffle that night for Kirkland’s Negroni Week benefactor, No Kid Hungry.

Negroni Week Barrel Tapping Party, Tuesday, June 6, 7 p.m., Kirkland Tap & Trotter, 425 Washington St., Somerville, 857-259-6585, kirklandtapandtrotter.com, Facebook event.

Menton Gold Bar

At the intimate, walk-ins-only cocktail bar attached to Barbara Lynch’s crown jewel, order a Chef-groni this week. Designed by Barbara Lynch Gruppo culinary director Scott Jones, it uses Aperol and Cynar instead of the more traditional Campari and sweet vermouth. A classic negroni also supports No Kid Hungry this week.

354 Congress St., Fort Point, Boston, 617-737-0099, mentonboston.com.

Pagu

This unique, pug-inspired restaurant looks to its Spanish and Japanese influences for its Negroni Week specials. Along with a classic, there’s chef/owner Tracy Chang’s favorite, a Spanish negroni with Atxa White Vermouth, a lesser-known Basque brand with notes of pear, elderflower, and honey; and a Japanese negroni, made with Black Warrior Shochu and sake. All of the drinks benefit animal adoption organization Paws.org. And you don’t have to wait until later in the week to try them: Beginning today, Pagu is open all day on Mondays.

310 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-945-9290, gopagu.com

A strawberry-infused negroni is on special at Saloon during Negroni Week 2017. / Photo provided

Saloon

The spin here spin uses strawberry-infused Campari, coffee-infused Carpano Antica, and white crème de cacao. Sister restaurants Foundry on Elm, located right next door, the Independent and Brass in Union Square, and River Bar in Assembly Square are also supporting Lovin’ Spoonfuls during Negroni Week.

255 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville, 617-628-4444, saloondavis.com.

Shōjō

Here you’ll find a light, citrusy play on the classic, with citrus gin and bitter melon Campari, both infused in-house. The Paifang Negroni is named after traditional Chinese arches, like the one at the entrance of Chinatown, and it raises money for No Kid Hungry.

9 Tyler St., Chinatown, Boston, 617-423-7888, shojoboston.com.

South End Buttery

This verdant drink is dubbed Not Your Garden Variety Negroni (but Very Green). Made with Farmer’s Botanical Gin, Campari, Dolin Sweet Vermouth, and fresh cucumber juice, it also supports Lovin’ Spoonfuls.

314 Shawmut Ave., South End, Boston, 617-482-1015, southendbuttery.com.

Sycamore

Any negroni or variation you order will support Lovin’ Spoonfuls at this suburban spot this week, but a couple specials were dreamt up just for the occasion. El Negroni is a spicy take, featuring Ancho Reyes chile liqueur and fresh lime; and Backyard 1794 is a Boulevardier with rye, Campari, and walnut and pecan bitters.

755 Beacon St., Newton, 617-244-4445, sycamorenewton.com.

General Tso’s Negroni for negroni week 2017 at Tavern Road. / Photo provided

Tavern Road

To create the General Tso’s Negroni, beverage director Tenzin Samdo has infused Campari with Sichuan peppercorns, and mixes the drink with dried red chilies, toasted sesame, and orange zest. It’s topped with a fortune cookie, for good measure. Proceeds from the fun libation go to Lovin’ Spoonfuls.

343 Congress St., Fort Point, Boston, 617-790-0808, tavernroad.com.

Tapestry

Pretend you’re in Miami—and support the conservation-focused WILD Foundation—with the Club Room Negroni. Made with rum and passion fruit, it’s available this week on the chic, loungey side of this Fenway spot.

69 Kilmarnock St., Boston, 617-421-4470, tapestry.restaurant.

Townsman Boston

Lovin’ Spoonfuls is the beneficiary of sales from the Sesame Negroni, made with Junipero Gin, sesame-infused Campari, Carpano Antica, and a dash of rice vinegar.

120 Kingston St., Boston, 617-993-0750, townsmanboston.com.