Did you know that 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of the Negroni cocktail?
Obviously, the folks at Campari (a key ingredient in a Negroni – along with equal parts gin and red vermouth, and an orange peel) are well aware of this anniversary. As is the bar team at Henrietta Hotel. To celebrate such a refreshing anniversary, the brand and the hotel have teamed up for a limited run Experimental Negroni Club cocktail bar.
I dropped by for the launch, tried a few of the dozen Negronis featured on the drinks menu, and had lovely time doing so.
My preferred aperitif from the evening was the Mexico City Negroni (£13). Featuring Bruxo X Mezcal, Campari, Tempus Fugit creme de cacao, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, lime and pineapple it was as quenching and it was deeply flavoursome. I loved how the smoky notes of the mezcal blended with the bittersweet vermouth and the mouth-watering pineapple. I also very much enjoyed sipping on the structure and sophisticated Florence Negroni (O’ndina Gin, Campari, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth, £11).
There’s a short cichetti menu as well with snacks such as Parmesan fries (£4), especially delicious smoked anchovy brioche (£6) and more.
Located in the hotel’s “hide away” mezzanine, the bar features a light installation conceived by artist Frankie Boyle, consisting of glowing orange bubbles suspended below the bar’s glass ceiling with a light choreography simulating the “complex beauty of Negroni’s ingredients, colours and flavours” for a subdued but alluring effect.
The Experimental Negroni Club r opens to the public Saturday 21 September and runs until 21 October.
Henrietta Hotel is located at 14-15 Henrietta Street, WC2E 8QG, Find out more at henriettahotel.com/experimental-negroni-club .
