World Negroni Week: 6 Negroni cocktails in Bali you simply must try

Raise a glass to this classic cocktail and celebrate World Negroni Week with our Top 6 Negronis in Bali. Cheers!

Every year around the world, one of our fave cocktail classics is given the appreciation it truly deserves with a week’s worth of celebrating. We’re talking about World Negroni Week, taking place from September 16th to 22nd 2024 at more than 12,000 venues worldwide, raising more than just one glass to this beloved Italian tipple.

Though the closest official Negroni Week venue to Bali is in our sister homeland of Singapore, we thought we’d join the party with a roundup of our favourite versions here on the island. So pull up that bar stool and settle in for the evening, because these awesome Negronis in Bali will have you sipping ‘til sunrise.

6 BEST NEGRONI COCKTAILS IN BALI

Mama San: Aged Negroni

Head to the upstairs lounge of Mama San on a Friday night and you’ll no doubt catch us propping up the bar with fellow Negroni connoisseur and Mama San owner, Will Meyrick. Mama San’s Aged Negroni is one of our absolute faves – perhaps because it’s been aged in a wooden barrel, or maybe it’s the seemingly never-ending rounds we just can’t help but order. Whatever it is, the Aged Negroni here is uber smooth, blending the sharpness of gin with the fortified herbs of Martini Rosso. Finish that with a kick of bitter orange Campari and a fragrant whiff of the lightly charred orange zest, and you have one very sophisticated, satisfying and elegant versions of the classic. Well, elegant until the fifth round, at least…

Mama San, Jl Raya Kerobokan No.135, Seminyak, p. +62 812-3634-3386

Modicum: Classic Negroni

As one of Bali’s only authentic speakeasies [complete with that hidden, Prohibition era vibe] it would be unspeakable for Modicum not to serve up a really, really good Negroni. Luckily for us, this artisan bar and gastronomy hotspot by renowned Indonesian chef Mandif Warokka does exactly that, by creating bitters that are homemade, and blends that have been aged in-house. The result? A tipple of pure mixology magic. Sup this classic beauty with some of Modicum’s insanely delicious tapas, like the roasted brown Shimeji or Spanish King Mackerel ceviche.

Modicum, Jl Kayu Aya Laksmana Oberoi, Kayu Aya Market, Seminyak, p. +62 819 9932 0888, e. [email protected].

Akademi: Negroni Lab

You know a bar truly appreciates the gift of Negronis when they not only add this Italian aperitif to the menu, but open up an entire lab dedicated to the cause. The Negroni Lab at Akademi is exactly that, serving up new and interesting variations on the classic, most of which use local flavours and ingredients. Try the Kopi Negroni [with Nusa Cana rum, Campari and coffee vermouth] or the totally tropical Coconut Negroni with cacao arak, Campari and Martini Rosso. Or simply stick to the signature, the Akademi Negroni, which mixes Tanqueray gin, grape infused arak, Campari, Aperol, bream wine and Martini Rosso – yum! Oh, and don’t forget to bring your squad, because you can order huge bottles of 30-day-aged Negronis [enough for 10 gal pals] or a whopping two-litre barrel for 25 people,  and the barrel is yours to keep afterwards! And did we mention there’s a Negroni happy hour, too? Every Friday, 4pm – 9pm.

Akademi at Katamama, Jl Petitenget No. 51 B, Seminyak, p.+62 361 302 9999.

40 Thieves: Wild Turkey Negroni

If you wanna know where Bali’s in-the-know expats are hiding out every weekend, we’ll give you a clue: they’re not sipping on swanky cocktails at the big name beach clubs, they’re tucked away in the smoky confines of 40 Thieves – a New York-style speakeasy – supping on world-class cocktails by award-winning bartender and entrepreneur, Shah Dillon – a man with a seriously big rep in the cocktail world. Never one to rest on his laurels, Shah has curated a twist on the classic by swapping out the typical gin base for a bold and structured Bourbon – Wild Turkey, no less. Add to that a dash of Cynar [Italian bitters made from artichokes] as well as Carparno Antica Formula – a super premium sweet vermouth with some serious body, which Shah says is the best in the world. If that wasn’t enough, he also “throws” the drink instead of stirring, to aerate, chill and keep it nice and strong. No diluted deals here, just a bold and sexy version that’s arguably even better than the original. Head down on a Friday or Saturday night, and you’ll even get to enjoy the two-for-one happy hour deals, too.

Forty Thieves, Jl. Petitenget No. 7 (above Mad Ronin), Petitenget, Seminyak, +62 878 6226 7657. Open daily, 8pm – 2am.

Bikini: Single Origin Black Coffee Negroni

As seasoned cocktail suppers, we know that you can never go wrong with a classic. But sometimes you just want that extra bit of oomph, and that’s exactly what you get with Bikini’s Single Origin Black Coffee Negroni. Not only is Bikini from the guys behind Sisterfields, Boss Man and Expat. Roasters [that means that the coffee here is arguably the absolute best on the island] this palatable tipple is the work of head mixologist Arey Barker, Indonesia’s No.1 Bartender. Add to that the fact that this masterpiece takes over 8 hours to perfect [our fave Tanqueray gin is slowly dripped through Kintamani single origin coffee from Expat. Roasters] and you’ll start to realise why this little libation sits on our top sip list. And that’s before we’ve even taken a gulp. Slightly bitter, slightly sweet, and with a gorgeous aroma of coffee and citrus notes, this one’s an absolute winner. And because the Kintamani single origin coffee is infused with mixed vegetable charcoal [that’s how it gets that cool black colour] it’s technically nutritious too, right? Bottoms up!

Bikini, Jl. Kayu Cendana No.6 Seminyak. p. +62 813 5338 2346. Open daily 5pm-1am

The Slow: Batur Negroni

It’s no secret that we LOVE The Slow, but it’s not only the artsy tropical vibes that keep us coming back to this botanical, beachy destination. Breaking all the rules of bartending, their cocktails are pre-made and house-mixed in their own awesomely branded bottles, and the Batur Negroni just so happens to be one of our faves. All of the usual ingredient suspects are used, like gin and Campari, but the creative cats behind the bar then add in blackstrap molasses for a sweet sip, as well as a cold brew kicker from our fave coffee brewers, Expat. Roasters.

Top tip: enjoy this one on the gorgeous rooftop, or take the party to your room where the Batur Negroni is pre-stocked in the mini bar. Hallelujah!

The Slow, Jl Batu Bolong 97, Canggu, Bali. IG: @the.slow

Can’t wait to get to the bar and want to try this potent aperitif yourself? Here’s a quick recipe for a classic Negroni at home:

Ingredients

1 part (30ml) Campari
1 part (30ml) Gin
1 part (30ml) Cinzano Rosso vermouth
1 slice of orange peel, lightly charred

Method

1) Pour all ingredients directly into a rock glass filled with one large ice cude and stir.
2) Garnish with charred orange peel.
3) Enjoy with smooth jazz, preferably on vinyl.

Cheers, Honeys!