September is Negroni Month at Claret.
For the entire month, we're giving one of the world's most iconic cocktails the attention it deserves — with six different takes on the Negroni pouring at the bar.
If you're already a Negroni person, you'll know exactly why we're excited. If you're not, September is a very good time to become one.
So, what exactly is a Negroni?
At its heart, a classic Negroni is beautifully simple: gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, mixed in equal parts and finished with an orange garnish.
It's bitter, boozy, herbal, citrusy and just a little bit sweet. It's also one of those rare cocktails where three ingredients manage to create something that tastes considerably more complicated than it actually is. The Negroni is generally traced back to Florence, Italy, in the early 20th century, where Count Camillo Negroni is said to have asked for his Americano to be made a little stronger by swapping the soda water for gin.
And so, allegedly, the Negroni was born.
More than a century later, it remains one of the world's great cocktails.
Why is the Negroni so iconic?
Part of the appeal is the balance.
Gin brings botanicals and juniper. Sweet vermouth brings spice, herbs and sweetness. Campari brings that unmistakable bitter orange character. No ingredient is trying to steal the entire show. It's the combination that makes the drink work.
It's also endlessly adaptable. Change the gin. Change the vermouth. Swap out the spirit. Add coffee. Remove the colour. Move the drink somewhere entirely different. Which is exactly what we're doing at Claret.
Six Negronis. One month.
Throughout September, we're pouring six different interpretations of the classic — from the original to some considerably less traditional takes.
The Classic Negroni: Gin · Sweet Vermouth · Campari
Our Classic Negroni starts with three hero ingredients: Darling Gin from Melbourne, Dolin Rouge Sweet Vermouth and Campari. We love this combination for its balance — bright, botanical gin, rich and spiced vermouth, and that unmistakable bitter-orange hit from Campari. The original formula and the benchmark against which every other Negroni is judged. Equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, stirred over ice and finished with orange. Simple ingredients, properly put together, make for a very good Negroni.
If you're new to Negronis, start here.
The Australiana Negroni: Gin · Okar · Maidenii Sweet Vermouth
A distinctly Australian take on the classic. We're bringing together Australian gin, Okar and Maidenii Sweet Vermouth to create a Negroni that feels familiar while putting a little more local character into the glass. Maidenii is one of Australia's standout vermouth producers, and Okar brings its own distinctly Australian botanical influence to the mix. Think of it as the Negroni having a very good Australian holiday.
The White Negroni: Gin · Suze · Lillet Blanc
Same family. Very different personality. The White Negroni swaps out the deep bitterness and colour of Campari for Suze, a French gentian aperitif, and Lillet Blanc, creating something lighter in colour but certainly not lacking in flavour. It's floral, herbaceous, bitter and bright, with gentian bringing that distinctive dry bitterness to the party. If you like the idea of a Negroni but want to explore something a little lighter and more aromatic, this is your drink.
The Mexican Negroni: Mezcal · Vermouth · Campari
Take the classic Negroni and replace gin with mezcal. Simple, right? Well, yes — but the result is anything but. Mezcal brings smoke, earthiness and agave character to the familiar bitter-sweet combination of vermouth and Campari. It's a little darker, a little smokier and very easy to get stuck into.
The Boulevardier: Bourbon · Vermouth · Campari
Technically, not a Negroni. But we're giving it a seat at the table anyway. The Boulevardier follows the same basic structure as a Negroni but swaps gin for bourbon. The result is richer, warmer and rounder, with the caramel and vanilla notes of bourbon playing beautifully against Campari's bitterness. For the whisky drinkers, this is your gateway Negroni.
The Coffee Negroni: Coffee Gin · Vermouth · Campari
And finally, because we couldn't resist: coffee. The Coffee Negroni takes the classic bitter-sweet structure and adds coffee gin to the mix, bringing roasted, aromatic notes into the equation. It's the kind of combination that sounds slightly strange until you taste it — and then suddenly makes perfect sense. Bitter meets bitter. Botanicals meet roast. Somehow, it works.
Which Negroni will you choose?
That's the fun of Negroni Month. You can stick with the classic, work your way through the variations, or pick the one that sounds the most intriguing and see where it takes you. There's no wrong answer.
Negroni Month is running throughout September at the Claret Bar.
Come in, grab a seat and work your way through the list. We'll see you at the bar.
