Uni is the new truffle, and negronis are the new gin martini.
Disclaimer: we still love a good martini, extra dirty of course. And if there aren’t three plump olives, we’re gonna have a serious problem.
But negroni’s have permeated New York City cocktail culture like no drink has before.
In the blink of an eye, the once under-the-radar cocktail has become the it-girl drink: a bright orange stamp of approval that you get it.
Because you know what they say, the girls that get it, get it, and the girls who don’t, don’t.
Grab your gloss and your gals, and treat yo’self to the best negronis New York City has to offer.
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52 Grove St, Manhattan/Website
Many camp out at Bar Pisellino while waiting for a table at Via Carota, but this unpretentious cocktail bar is our first and final destination. Dedicated to the “Italian art of drinking,” the neighborhood hotspot is home to an extensive selection of vermouth (the key ingredient to a good negroni). Coming as no surprise to Bar Pisellino enthusiasts, the negronis, along with all of their cocktails, are next level. Whether you’re here for happy hour with friends, or pregaming your Cacio e Pepe, you must order everybody’s favorite summer cocktail!
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142 Orchard St, Manhattan/Website
If you’re having dinner at Wildair, pair your fried olives and little neck clams with their twist on a classic negroni. You must be rolling your eyes right now. How special could this fairly simple drink really be? Just add mezcal. The smokiness of the mezcal perfectly complements the bitterness of the vermouth, and the fruity sweetness of the orange flavors. And even if you’re a little scared of mezcal, or all things tequila for that matter, don’t knock this one-of-a-kind concoction till you try it.
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116 MacDougal St, Manhattan/Website
What do negronis and this Greenwich village bar have in common? Both are simple, no frills, and a New York City staple. Oh, and we quite simply couldn’t live without the two. The perfect word to describe this drink is bittersweet, much like the feeling when you finish your last sip. Or realize your ex didn’t text you back. Stings a little, but probably for the better.
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215 W 75th St, Manhattan/Website
Is it just us, or is sipping a negroni at Owl’s Tail just as good as having candy at a movie theatre? They do taste like licorice after all. While this retro cocktail lounge is known for its fun, inventive cocktails, we like to keep it classic with a good ol’ negroni. It’s delicious no matter the time of the day, and is as reliable as your best friend in a crisis. Sometimes her advice can be a bit harsh and tangy, but her underlying sweetness ultimately leaves a good taste in your mouth.
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105 Christopher St, Manhattan/Website
Can I have a negroni with a side of lasagna, please? Most people like red wine with their Italian? That’s ok we’re good with our cocktail. Famous for their mouthwatering Tuscan fare and intimate date-night setting, I Sodi has also managed to master the art of the cocktail to perfection. A negroni can be compared to a grapefruit topped with brown sugar: acidic, almost lemony, with a captivating fruitness that explodes on your tongue.
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33 Greenwich Ave, Manhattan/Website
If you’re not getting the chopped salad with a negroni on the side, you’re seriously doing something wrong. You may think that’s extra for a 2 PM lunch on a Tuesday, but as SFK so eloquently put it, do it for the plot. If you know, you know. American Bar’s negroni has an intoxicating kick to it—a spice that’s almost as herby as your ex. Honestly, bless up he didn’t text. And if you’re here for spicy lobster pasta, the intriguing cocktail pairs well with that, too.
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Multiple Locations/Website
Rated one of the best bars in the country, it’s not shocking that Dante makes a mean negroni. And if you’re more of a white negroni girlie, everybody’s favorite Friday night spot has your back. Made with gin, Lillet blanc, and Suze, Dante’s white negroni is the perfect drink for a hot summer day. It’s floral and refreshing, but still satisfies all of your negroni cravings. And the other drinks here are pretty fire, too.
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45 W 45th St, Manhattan/Website
Like many others, Valerie is also hopping on the white negroni train. The negroni is a bit lighter than other cocktails we’ve had in the past, making it a great choice for a chill night with friends. Unless you have three or four, which we swear, we’re not guilty of. Oftentimes coined as a “modern classic,” the drink has subtle hints of vanilla which counteract the inherent tartness of the bitters.
Is it 5:00 yet?
Photography by: Patrick Langwallner
