NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) - “It is equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari,” says Becca June of Bourbon “O” Bar in the Bourbon Orleans Hotel.
As Secretary of the local USBG chapter, she volunteered to organize “Negroni Week” (June 2-June8) this year in New Orleans where one dollar from every purchase goes to charity.
“The Negroni actually happens to have always been one of my favorite cocktails.”
She pours Bombay Sapphire Gin to make her classic Negroni cocktail.
“Negroni Week was sponsored by Imbibe and Campari and it is a way for bars internationally to raise money for charities of their choice.”
Next she adds the essential ingredient, Campari to the glass.
“New Orleans kind of rallied behind NOMAF and the Save Sounds Initiative. Without musicians the bartenders don’t do well and without bartenders the musicians don’t do well.” The sweet vermouth of choice for Becca June is Dolin. “It has a very aromatic but light flavor and taste.”
“There was an actually Count Negroni and he was drinking in Florence, Italy. He was at his favorite bar and he had his favorite bartender. Count Negroni’s name stuck as well as the cocktail and it’s been a classic cocktail ever since.”
To finish making the classic Negroni, June stirs and strains the liquid into a chilled cocktail glass. “It’s served up or on the rocks with an orange twist. You can either put it in the drink or discard it, guest’s preference, bartender’s preference. I like to give a little twist and add it on top to give it a little beauty.”
There are over 40 bars in New Orleans participating in “Negroni Week” and you can find a complete list along with their charity of choice below:
Apolline Restaurant- NOMAF
Apple Barrel- NOMAF
Bellocq- Hogs for the Cause
Bouligny Tavern- NOMAF
Bourbon O Bar- NOMAF
Broussard’s- NOMAF
Bruno’s Tavern- Boys Hope
Buffa’s Bar and Restaurant- NOMAF
Cane & Table- Hogs for a Cause
Chiba- NOMAF
Cocktail Bar at Windsor Court Hotel- NOMAF
Coquette- NOMAF
Cure- Hogs for a Cause
Dominique’s on Magazine- NOMAF
Felipe’s Taqueria- NOMAF
French 75 Bar- NOMAF
Freret Street PubliQ House- NOMAF
Grand Isle Restaurant- NOMAF
Gravier Street Social- NOMAF
Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse- NOMAF
Jacques-imo’s- NOMAF
Kingfish- NOMAF
Lilette- NOMAF
Lucky Rooster- Women with a Vision
Maison- NOMAF
Marcello’s Restaurant and Wine Bar- NOMAF
Maurepas foods- NOMAF
Mid City Yacht Club- NOMAF
Palace Café- NOMAF
Patois- NOMAF
Root Squared- NOMAF
Saint Lawrence- NOMAF
Sneaky Pete’s- NOMAF
Snug Harbor- NOMAF
SoBou- NOMAF
Tableau- NOMAF
The Davenport lounge- Ozanam inn Homeless Shelter
The Maison- NOMAF
The Note- NOMAF
The Rusty Nail- March of Dimes
Tivoli and Lee- NOMAF
Treo- NOMAF
Twelve Mile Limit- NOMAF
