A top Liverpool cocktail bar is to celebrate the Negroni, the classic Italian drink, for the entire month of September.
Abditory, on Queen Avenue between Dale Street and Castle Street, has won a loyal and growing following for its exceptional cocktails and weird and wonderful snacks, as well as for inviting some of the best cocktail mixers in the UK for bar takeover nights.
The classic Negroni is believed to have been invented in Florence around 1919 by barman Fosco Scarselli of Caffe Casoni for playboy aristocrat Count Camillo Negroni and is made with equal parts of gin, Campari and Vermouth over a block of ice and a half wheel orange garnish.
Today however, there are countless variations of Negroni, some of which will be explored by Abditory’s talented mixologists, including the likes of Sbagliato (swapping sparkling wine for gin) and the Boulvardier (Bourbon, Campari, sweet Vermouth).
Abditory will also take part in Negroni Week, September 12-18, which is an international celebration of one of the world’s great cocktails and an effort to raise money for charitable causes.
Abditory’s Negroni appreciation month also includes an extra special Italian aperitivo evening hosted by UK top 50 cocktail bar, Edinburgh’s Hey Palu on Wednesday 7 September.
The Scottish capital’s cult modern Italian bar is led by owner/founder Alex Palumbo, who has also worked in iconic London bars Cocoon, Momo’s and Lonsdale, and has earned a big reputation as a drinks developer.
Alex’s Hey Palu signature drink is the Wild Strawberry Negroni (Gin, strawberry Vermouth and white bitters) which is a lighter, fruitier version of a classic Negroni.
Josh Moore, finance director of Lucky Penny Group, which owns Abditory, said: “I’m half Italian and so the Negroni is a wonderfully big part of my heritage. The Negroni’s simplicity has made it a really popular drink which Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci gave a big boost in his lockdown cocktail masterclasses.
“It’s a beautiful ruby-hued drink, a very sophisticated slice of La Dolce Vita, but the original recipe packs a punch which has resulted in so many lighter variations which we will be serving during September.
“I’m very excited about this month and our celebration of this quintessential Italian aperitif, the highlight of which will be welcoming the master mixology Hey Palu team whose Negronis are just exceptional. It will be one of many great Negroni nights at Abditory this month.”
Hey Palu bar takeover of Abditory takes place from 6pm on Wednesday, 7 September. Negroni Week at Abditory runs from Monday, 12 – Sunday 18 September.
