Start summer off right with a classic Negroni. (credit: NegroniWeek.com)
Drink of the Week: Negroni
Where: Beuchert’s Saloon, Maketto, Osteria Morini, Wisdom
If there’s one thing we like, it’s the opportunity to drink with abandon yet still somehow feel good about it. Luckily for us, Negroni Week is almost here and Campari lovers everywhere are hailing it as the official start of summer. Running the week of June 6 – 12, Negroni Week is a partnership between Campari, the maker of the bitter Italian liqueur by the same name, and Imbibe Magazine, with a goal of raising money for a wide variety of charities around the world through the sale of Negroni cocktails. Last year, over $320,000 was raised globally simply from people bellying up to the bar in pursuit of this tipple.
If you’re not familiar with the Negroni, it’s a classic aperitif made up of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, typically garnished with orange peel, and is said to have originated in Florence just after World War I. It’s a little bitter, a little herbaceous, barely sweet, and utterly refreshing on a sticky summer evening. Bars and restaurants across the region are offering up the classic version of the Negroni — and its cousin the Boulevardier, made with whiskey instead of gin — as well as their own special versions. Start your charitable efforts with some Italian flair at Osteria Morini (301 Water Street SE) in support of their chosen beneficiary Wheeling Forward; they’ll be riffing off the Boulevardier with a drink called Bitter Passion, made with Bulleit rye, amaro, and Barolo Chinato, a bitter Italian digestivo.
From there, amble over to Beuchert’s Saloon (623 Pennsylvania Avenue SE), which is hosting a whole menu of playful versions of Negronis, from the Stage Fright, a mix of gin, thyme, Cocchi Americano (another type of chinato), Campari, and Angostura bitters, to the Light & Bright, a sparkling concoction of vodka, Aperol (an aperitif similar to Campari), Cocchi Barolo, lemon, and cava. Negroni sales at Beuchert’s will support the Friends of the American University of Afghanistan.
Eight blocks up Pennsylvania Avenue, let the bartenders at Wisdom (1432 Pennsylvania Avenue SE) surprise you with their individual takes on the Negroni, which they’ll be offering up in tasting flights so that you can compare and contrast each bitter note to your heart’s content. Proceeds will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.
Finally, there is really only one place to end any evening devoted to Negronis — and, of course, charity — and that’s Maketto (1351 H Street NE), for one simple reason: the Negroni Slushie. With a lengthy list of Negroni offerings, featuring a wide array of different types of vermouth, from Yzaguirre Dry to Contratto Bianco, any of the offerings can also be frozen up into a slushie version — and we really can’t think of a better way to support the work of Caring for Cambodia, Maketto’s chosen charity. Cin-Cin!
Small Bites:
#FlashBackFriday Gets Funky
If you missed the Funk Parade, then head to Old Town Alexandria tonight for the Jackson 20 A-Go-Go at Jackson 20 (480 King Street. Alexandria), where Chef Brian McPherson will be dishing up classic soul food like roasted pig, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, seasonal pies, and McPherson’s special Rufus chicken sandwich, with live music from the Backyard Band. Tickets can be purchased online for $35 and all proceeds support No Kid Hungry.
Courthouse Crawfish Boil
Chef David Guas’ Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery is hosting a down-home Crawfish Boil on Saturday, June 4th from 5 -7 p.m. at their NoVa restaurant (1515 N. Courthouse Rd, Arlington). $45 will get you Louisiana crawfish and peel-n-eat shrimp, new potatoes and corn on the cob, their signature Muff-a-lottas, cornbread, and coleslaw. Abita beer will be on hand at $15 for four pours. Get tickets here in advance.
Smoky Toki Brunch
If you’ve been waiting for Toki Underground (1234 H Street NE) to finally start offering brunch, you’re in luck on Sunday, June 5th, when Chef Jonathan Uribe teams up with Chef Alex McCrery of Tilit NYC for a decidedly New York spin on a traditional Japanese style breakfast. Be on the lookout for smoked sable and catfish from Neopol Smokery, along with kippered salmon from Russ & Daughters and fermented tofu with tomatillo salsa from Number 1 Sons; there are three one-hour seatings between noon and 3 p.m. and $30 tickets can be purchased online here.
