Negroni Nights ft. Conte Camillo x Our Local

The Negroni cocktail is enjoying a renaissance in the global cocktail scene and Negroni week is a cornerstone of celebrating its heritage and legacy.

The essence of a Negroni should never be questioned: a bitter, vermouth, and a distillate such as gin, which adds complexity and structure. “Its diffusion and longevity lie in the simplicity of the recipe, with the same proportions, and the musicality of the name,” notes Luca Picchi, author of the most ambitious biography ever written about this cocktail (Negroni Cocktail. An Italian Legend), born in his home city, Florence. “Easy to prepare, easy to remember and easy to order by pronouncing it in any language,” he says.

Negroni week is celebrated across the globe annually in September, this year between the 16^th and 22^nd of the said month.

Our eponymous Conte Camillo Negroni had to play a part to honour the legacy of Count Negroni who started it all in Florence in 1919. The team mobilised their creative juices and saw an opportunity to bring The City’s Negroni to Cape Town and build excitement for its imminent launch in South Africa. We partnered with the loved Our Local @ 117 Kloof Street, an official participant of Negroni week. To mark the end of Negroni week, we wanted to offer an exclusive tasting to a group of lucky Cape Tonians who would be the first in South Africa to experience the flair, elegance, sophistication, charm and ultimately adventurous spirit of Conte Camillo Negroni.

The scene was set for an unforgettable evening that we were confident our guests were not going to forget. The iconic Conte Camillo bottle was exhibited proudly and proved to be a key feature around a mouthwatering harvest table spread of Italian cured meat, cheese and a selection of olives to compliment the complexity embedded in our brilliantly mastered blend perfected in the heart of the Valle d’Aosta nestled in the breathtaking Italian Alps.

Guests were welcomed with the first of 3 cocktails on the runway for the evening. They were treated to no other than our signature serve, The Perfect Serve, consisting of a bold tumbler, 90ml of Conte Camillo Negroni, garnished with an orange peel and coated in its zest. A true juxtaposition of the simplicity in creation and layered complexity in aroma and flavour.

It is always fascinating to gather feedback of the taste of Conte Camillo Negroni. Many people categorise RTD’s (ready to drink/ serve) as a lower quality, fast food esque variation of the real Makoy – most RTD’s are typically flavoured spirits. But, Conte Camillo Negroni is a handcrafted blend of each component that was separately distilled, fermented (the vermouth) and infused. Effectively, they can stand on their own. The elegance and floral nature of the gin made from juniper berries picked at 2,400m altitude, gentian, wild mallow and mountain roses plus a unique wormwood variety and the myriad mountain herbs & flowers in the vermouth overlayed with the distinct liquorice root and orange peel underscoring the bitter – this is what made people ponder on each sip. Negroni lovers were loving, Negroni doubters were undoubting.

Next up, we served our first variation, the Burned Negroni. Consisting of Conte Camillo Negroni, tonic water and burned thyme that adds smoke and spritz to the party whilst the bitters and the tonic harmonised graciously. It is safe to say this was the surprise package of the evening. Even though The Perfect Serve won the hearts of all, the Burned Negroni had people buzzing.

Whilst the Burned Negroni was being sipped on and the Italian bites were being indulged on, Heinrich stepped up and transported guests through the life of Count Camillo, the legacy of the Negroni and explained the magic behind the liquid. The story behind the sip was now given life and the emotional connection between the drink and the lifestyle was established.

The final curtain call served by Tom (mixologist) and his fellow bartenders from Our Local, the infamous Negroni Spagliato, which was accidentally invented in Bar Basso, Milan. Swamped with orders, the bartender inadvertently grabbed a bottle of Prosecco and mistakenly replaced the gin with the former (hence Spagliato loosely translating to mistaken). On the contrary, in this instance this variation was no mistake. Served in a flute, it served as a fitting manner to celebrate the occurrence of a stunning evening in Cape Town to watch the sun set on Negroni week.

A special thank you to all our partners and patrons, this affair would not have been possible without you.

We implore you to be on the lookout and be prepared for Conte Camillo Negroni, you never know when it will be travelling to your city.

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