A Classic, Reimagined: Where to Sip Innovative Negronis in NYC
Updated: 1 hour ago
Three ingredients, endless possibilities. The classic Negroni’s balance of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth has made it an aperitivo staple and an irresistible starting point for bartenders with fresh ideas.
For Negroni Week, we’re spotlighting New York City bars and restaurants putting their own stamp on the beloved Italian cocktail. Whether you’re devoted to the original or curious about a less traditional pour, these inventive interpretations offer a reason to rethink your usual order.
Ai Fiori
Midtown
Ai Fiori’s Violetta Negroni takes a floral approach to the classic, combining Citadelle Gin, Dolin Blanc, Viola Bitter, and Campari. A finishing touch of lemon brings a bright citrus counterpoint to the cocktail’s bitter, botanical profile. The combination offers an aromatic interpretation that keeps the Negroni’s signature bitterness in focus while giving floral and citrus notes room to shine.
Ginger Ristorante
Midtown Manhattan
Ginger Ristorante in Midtown puts an aromatic spin on the Italian classic with three distinctive Negronis. The Devil Drinks Negroni combines London dry gin, Campari, and Italian vermouth with two miniature perfume-style sprays of lemon and orange essential oil water. For a richer interpretation, Coffee & Negroni pairs London dry gin, Campari, and Antica Formula vermouth with black coffee foam and dark chocolate chips.
Rounding out the selection, the Negroni SPQR / Ave Negroni brings together Italian gin, Campari, Cynar, and Italian vermouth, finished with fresh sage or a laurel leaf. Pair your pour with homemade pasta or brick-oven pizza from a menu emphasizing sustainable, predominantly organic ingredients.
Jack & Charlie’s No. 118
West Village
For a zero-proof option, Jack & Charlie’s No. 118 in the West Village serves the Curious Elixirs #1 Negroni Sbagliato, featuring pomegranate, bitter orange, gentian, rhodiola, and club soda. The combination brings fruit, bitterness, and bubbles to an alcohol-free interpretation of the aperitivo favorite.
Settle into the restaurant’s vintage-inspired surroundings, where green leather seating and a geometric bar set the scene, and pair your drink with Executive Chef Ed Cotton’s handmade pastas or signature bone-in duck meatloaf.
Layaway at Shaver Hall
Midtown Manhattan
At the center of Shaver Hall in Midtown, Layaway is celebrating Negroni Week with a special lineup dedicated to the Italian classic. Leading the selection is the signature Alba Truffle Negroni, an inventive interpretation that reflects the bar’s polished yet approachable cocktail style.
Available throughout the week, the lineup offers a chance to explore a fresh take on the familiar aperitivo during a stop at the Fifth Avenue dining destination.
Leonetta
Murray Hill
Leonetta in Murray Hill offers two distinctive departures from the classic Negroni, complementing Executive Chef Ed Cotton’s Mediterranean menu. The Mezcal Negroni Blanquito combines Espadin mezcal, Italicus Bergamotto, Suze Aperitif, and chamomile for a floral, Oaxacan-inspired white Negroni with bergamot notes.
The Coconut Negroni takes a rum-based approach, pairing Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum with Cap Corse Rouge, Cocchi Dopo Teatro vermouth, and Haitian coffee bitters. With its coconut and coffee notes, the latter offers an intriguing counterpoint to the Blanquito’s floral character.
The Lobby at Ace Hotel Brooklyn
Brooklyn
The Lobby at Ace Hotel Brooklyn takes the Negroni in a lighter-hued direction with its Green Apple White Negroni. The cocktail combines green apple–infused Julia Gin, Lillet Blanc, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, and Italicus Bergamotto, bringing apple and bergamot into a variation that swaps the traditional Campari and sweet vermouth for white aperitif ingredients.
Curious about the proportions behind the pour? The team shared its four-ingredient formula below.
Inside the Glass: Green Apple White Negroni
1.25 oz green apple–infused Julia Gin
1 oz Lillet Blanc
0.5 oz Luxardo Bitter Bianco
0.5 oz Italicus Bergamotto
Limo Bar
East Village
Limo Bar gives the familiar Negroni an unexpected tropical turn with its Moonroof Negroni. Built on gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, the cocktail introduces rich chocolate and subtle banana notes for a layered, bittersweet sip. The classic trio remains at its core, with the chocolate-and-banana combination adding a playful dimension to the beloved aperitivo.
Ten11 Lounge & Bar
NoMad
Ten11 Lounge & Bar in NoMad plays with texture as well as flavor in its Fizzy Negroni Sour. This playful interpretation brings a bright, citrus-forward character to the classic cocktail’s bittersweet profile, pairing a silky foam with a lively, fizzy finish. It’s a twist that gives Negroni enthusiasts a different way to experience the familiar favorite.
