The much coveted Negroni Week is here, which gives you an added onus to find the best negronis across India — from stirred classics to a few bold experiments!
As we raise our glasses to the much-awaited Negroni Week 2022, we really couldn’t begin celebrating this timeless cocktail — without giving you a lowdown on every place that serves a terrific negroni. A classic cocktail with a massive fan following around the world, a negroni has always had its share of purists poring over exactly how its taste should be. Believed to have originated from the demand of an Italian Count’s wish for a drink that’s stiff and yet would help him unwind, the negroni of today commands its place in the cocktail hall of fame thanks to its everlasting taste. To savour the best of it this week, here’s where you must be headed for!
Omya at The Oberoi, New Delhi
One of the most enduring bars of Delhi, Omya reopened its doors to its patrons in 2018. Since then, just like before, Omya at The Oberoi, at the heart of Delhi, has continued to serve some of the best smoked and barrel-aged negronis in town. Ask for your favourite gin to be used here, for they do have a venerable collection.
Sidecar, New Delhi
A bar that has made innumerable headlines by now, Sidecar is a comparatively modern venue — but one with all the necessary trappings of being the right place for a classic drink. Prepared with a splash of Gordon’s, the Sidecar negroni is made to perfection — just the way a purist of the drink would like to have it.
Comorin, Gurgaon
Yet another modern venue that’s equally classy and contemporary, Comorin serves a delectable fare along with some of the best made cocktails. The negroni here is heady and full-bodied, which gives you the full flavour of a negroni. The sheer depth of the cocktail can be truly enjoyed here.
Copitas at Four Seasons, Bengaluru
Often known as a place where patrons love their drink, Bengaluru is ready with its own batch of negronis. Head over to Copitas at Four Seasons in Bengaluru for a wonderfully made classic negroni, which is stirred to perfection by the bartenders here — incidentally a part of Asia’s top 50 bars right now!
Felix, Goa
A bar that embodies the spirit of Goa that has attracted visitors from all over the world for decades, Felix is one of the best bars for a classic negroni. Made with Greater Than, one of India’s best gins, you would love a sundowner evening based purely on the negronis here.
Bastian, Mumbai
Located in the buzzing Worli neighbourhood in Mumbai, Bastian offers an interestingly modern take on the classic negroni. You get the classic drink, stirred with Tanqueray as its base. They also have what they call a Mexican negroni — a drink that replaces the gin with tequila, and Campari with Aperol. It’s headier, but has attempted to keep the negroni spirit alive.
Lord of the Drinks, Kolkata
Moving all the way to the east, The Lord of the Drinks in the grand old city of Kolkata may be a newer name than some of its ‘70s classics. However, it does serve a terrific barrel-aged negroni — a drink that you would love to savour. It is a perfect classic negroni mix, one that you just cannot go wrong with.