Raise Your Glass to Negroni Week

We know. Negroni Week started on Monday. But there was also the start of that two-part Bachelorette episode and we wanted to know if all the ominous music led up to anything. But now that we are through being emotionally manipulated, it’s time to get down to business.

The annual event was started by Imbibe magazine in 2013 as a way for bars and restaurants to give back to the community. The idea is simple: $1 of every Negroni sold at participating spots gets donated to a nonprofit in the local community. Last year, over 3,500 venues participated, raising more than $320,000 nationwide. That’s pretty awesome if you ask us. In Austin, Campari and charity are obviously BFFs, so we thought we would give you a few of our picks.

Juliet

The nonprofit: Communities in Schools
The drink: Negroni Sour: Carpano Antica, Campari, gin, lemon, and simple syrup. Buy one of these for your ex-wife to apologize for the “incident.”

Italic

The nonprofit: Sustainable Food Center
The drink: The house Negroni made with Ford’s gin, Dolin Rouge, and Campari – served with an orange twist. Use this to woo that distinguished older gentleman who sort of looks like Marcello Mastroianni.

The Roosevelt Room

The nonprofit: Austin Children’s Shelter
The drink: The Perfect Bloom with Beefeater gin, Dolin Blanc, Amaro Montenegro, Fusion Verjus Blanc and four sprays of Hakushu 12-year. Gram this with your new nail art celebrating Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris’ breakup.

Cantine

The nonprofit: MusicTechandFood.org
The drink: The Sylvari Negroni, with jamaica-infused mezcal, chamomile-infused cocchi, Gran Classico, and saffron bitter. Throw this in someone’s face telenovela style (don’t really do this).

Small Victory

The nonprofit: Urban Roots
The drink: The Negroni Colada, a mix of Campari, piano vermouth, gin, cream, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. It’s OK to wear sunglasses while drinking this one, but the Speedo is probably too much.

Liberty Kitchen

The nonprofit: Austin Pets Alive!
The drink: Boulevardier, just three ingredients – Campari, bourbon, sweet vermouth. Drink two while faking a Parisian accent. Those boys who are visiting from Killeen will never know you come from Tulsa.

Backbeat

The nonprofit: Mary Lee Foundation
The drink: Right Hand, a surprise with smoked chocolate bitters, Campari, Punt e Mes vermouth, and aged rum. Swirl this in your hands while talking about the terrible week you had in Montenegro.

Negroni week runs through June 12. For a full list of local participants, click here.

This article appears in June 3 • 2016.

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