Negroni Week, from September 16 to 22, is the perfect time to explore this classic cocktail. The traditional Negroni is a blend of gin, vermouth, and Campari, known for its balanced bitterness and refreshing taste. Here's how to make one and some easy variations to try.

Classic Negroni Recipe

You will need:

• 1 oz Gin
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• Orange peel (for garnish)

To make:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Pour in the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
3. Stir well until the outside of the glass feels cold.
4. Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube.
5. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Enjoy your classic Negroni!

Simple Variations

Negroni Sbagliato

Swap out the gin for sparkling wine for a lighter, bubbly take.

You will need:

• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• 1 oz Sparkling Wine
• Orange slice (for garnish)

To make:

1. Combine Campari and sweet vermouth in a glass filled with ice.
2. Top with sparkling wine.
3. Gently stir and garnish with an orange slice.

White Negroni

For a less bitter version, use Lillet Blanc and Suze.

You will need:

• 1 oz Gin
• 1 oz Lillet Blanc
• 1 oz Suze
• Lemon twist (for garnish)

To make:

1. Mix gin, Lillet Blanc, and Suze in a glass with ice.
2. Stir until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Boulevardier

Replace gin with bourbon for a whiskey-forward flavor.

You will need:

• 1 oz Bourbon
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• Orange peel (for garnish)

To make:

1. Add bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass with ice.
2. Stir until cold.
3. Strain into a chilled glass.
4. Garnish with an orange peel.

Negroni Week isn't just about enjoying a delicious drink; it's also about giving back, as many bars and restaurants donate a portion of their Negroni sales to charity. So, raise your glass for a good cause and savour the rich flavors of these Negroni variations. Cheers to that!