Drinking a negroni, a classic Italian cocktail, supports a good cause this June
written by Jen Stevenson photo by Emma Janzen
Generally, “for a good cause” isn’t the most credible reply when asked why you’re drinking so many Negronis—unless of course, it’s Negroni Week. From June 4-10, more than a hundred of Oregon’s best bars and restaurants will be mixing, pouring and padding the coffers of their favorite charities thanks to this iconic Italian aperitif. It’s part of Portland-based Imbibe magazine’s annual fundraiser, founded in 2013 in collaboration with Campari. Some participants adhere faithfully to the classic ratio of one part gin, one part sweet vermouth, one part Campari. Others go off the Negroni grid—past innovations have included Richmond Bar’s mezcal-spiked rendition, Imperial’s ethereal mix of gin, strawberry-infused Bonal Gentiane Quina, honeyed Campari and cava, and tiki bar Hale Pele’s Stigg-roni, which swapped gin for Plantation Stiggins’ fancy pineapple rum. However you stir it, this event’s a winner—now celebrated internationally, it’s grown from 100 to nearly 8,000 venues, and has raised nearly $1.5 million for charity. Find a full list of participating Oregon bars and restaurants online.