So if you’re feeling suitably bittersweet, here are some of the best places to find the classic concoction in Hong Kong.

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Duddell’s

Negroni Week kicks off in the swish surroundings of Duddell’s, which hosted The Negroni Week 2021 Opening Party: Italian Affairs on Monday, raising funds for Teens Key, an NGO helping young women and girls. The art-festooned, two-Michelin-starred Central restaurant is perhaps a slightly curious choice, given that there’s no negroni on its main cocktail menu, but we’re sure they do a good one – they do a good everything.

The Wise King

The Soho outlet develops a twist on the classic negroni every three months, and even started to bottle some of them during the pandemic. Owner Sandeep Kumar’s inventions have included the likes of the R&R Negroni, featuring ingredients such as rhubarb and raspberry gin, amontillado vinaigrette and amaro; the Mandarino Negroni, with locally made N. I. P gin and orange liqueur Mandarinetto Isolabella; and the Bliss Negroni, which even includes Nutella.

Artesian

Those who want to learn how to make a negroni properly – which, as with so many cocktail recipes, can be a controversial business – should head down to Artesian at The Langham, Hong Kong on Thursday for its Negroni Workshop. The bar will also be offering 12 types of negroni throughout the week, and donating US$1.3 (HK$10) for each one sold to NGO Foodlink Foundation.

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Coa

We shouldn’t neglect Asia’s official best bar (according to World’s 50 Best Bars) Coa, which offers a supercharged take on the tipple. The Mexican inspired bar’s Caffeinated Negroni is tarted up with the addition of mescal and, as the name suggests, coffee extract, and topped with chocolate.

The Diplomat

Bringing Negroni Week to a close is the intriguing sounding Night of a Thousand Negronis at The Diplomat on Sunday. And, given that the bar is renowned for its miniature-sized renditions of the cocktail, a thousand might just be achievable. You’ve got to dream.

Smoke & Barrel

If you are keen, try having the drink with a gourmet pairing. American BBQ outpost Smoke & Barrel is hosting a special Negroni Week BBQ Brunch that is bound to be a delicious experience.

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8½ Otto e Mezzo

If that hasn’t slaked your thirst for the sharp stuff, you might also like to try the negroni at 8½ Otto e Mezzo, which features fortified wine and grapefruit bitters, with the whole mixture left to mix overnight.

Caprice Bar and Argo

John Anthony

Finally, if you’re worried you might drink a place dry, you might want to order your negronis at John Anthony, which has the largest gin selection in town, including its signature 12-litre gin tubes.