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The 9 best ways to drink your way through Negroni Week

Strong and bitter, the negroni might not seem like a natural summer sipper, but more than 50 Chicago bars and restaurants are hoping to change your mind this week. The fourth annual Negroni Week kicks off today and runs through Sunday with specialty cocktails that kick a portion of proceeds to charity. While the traditional cocktail requires just three ingredients—gin, Campari and vermouth—these Chicago spots are putting their own spins on the formula to surprise your taste buds all week.

The Drifter
676 N. Orleans St. 312-631-3887
The River North speakeasy takes the Italian drink on a Caribbean vacation with the Dominican Negroni ($12), which blends Atlantico private cask rum, Campari, creme de cacao, housemade Mamajuana vermouth and passion fruit cordial.
Benefiting: The Anti-Cruelty Society

Sparrow
12 W. Elm St. 312-725-0732
The Gold Coast lounge’s version of the negroni sweetens the drink with coconut-infused rum and chocolate bitters blended with Campari, housemade vermouth and Finest Roots amaro ($12).
Benefiting: PAWS Chicago

Cindy’s
12 S. Michigan Ave. 312-792-3502
The rooftop restaurant takes the challenge to spice up the negroni literally with A Sparkling Escape to Ruins ($13), which features mezcal, ancho chili liqueur, Campari, prosecco and vermouth.
Benefiting: Un86’d

Cochon Volant
100 W. Monroe St. 312-754-6560
Cool off at The Loop bistro with the Negroni Daily Shave ($15), a mix of gin, Campari, orange juice and Italian vermouth poured over shaved ice.
Benefiting: Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago

Drumbar
201 E. Delaware Place 312-933-4805
Grab some friends and split the Negroni Punch ($25), a blend of Angel’s Envy bourbon, Campari, port, citrus fruit and strawberries served in a mini-bourbon barrel with its own spigot. Or just stop in for the King Arthur ($8), which features pisco, white vermouth and Campari served over a giant ice cube with an orange peel garnish. You can also eat your booze with the Gold Coast rooftop bar’s negroni ice cream cones ($8), made with gin, Campari, cardamom and candied citrus peel.
Benefiting: Un86’d

Lone Wolf
806 W. Randolph St. 312-600-9391
The West Loop tavern’s Negroni Sgroppino features a blend of Campari, gin, vermouth, orange bitters orange juice and lemon frozen in an ice cream maker so it can be scooped into a glass and topped with prosecco ($12).
Benefiting: Un86’ed

Farm Bar
1300 W. Wellington Ave. 773-281-2599
The Lakeview restaurant’s fruity Accident Prone ($12) blends Death’s Door gin, Campari, Leopold Bros. Michigan tart cherry liqueur, egg whites and lime, pineapple and Luxardo cherry juices.
Benefiting: Chicago Lights Urban Farm

312 Chicago
136 N. LaSalle St. 312-696-2420
A fusion between a Ramos Gin Fizz and a Negroni, the Negroni Fizz ($13) features gin, sweet vermouth, simple syrup, lemon juice, egg white and soda water topped with Campari-infused gelato from Franklin Park’s Angelo Gelato Italiano.
Benefiting: Un86’ed

Tesori
65 E. Adams St. 312-786-9911
The Boulevardier ($12) appeals to whiskey lovers by trading gin for Eagle Rare bourbon, which is mixed with Campari and Carpano Antica vermouth and garnished with an orange twirl.
Benefiting: United States Bartenders’ Guild