Campari: it's the contemporary and charismatic classic. The vibrant red colour, intense aroma and inspiring bitter flavour has cemented Campari as the red heart of the Negroni and many more iconic cocktails. In what has been one of the toughest years for bars and restaurants, Campari donated ingredients to any bar who wanted to create with Campari: whether coming up with a contemporary twist or re-creating a classic. The results are delicious. Purveyors of beverages from north to south now have Campari cocktails available for you to try. So whether exploring a new local or venturing further afield, you can toast the creativity and passion of New Zealand's best bartenders too.
OSTRO, AUCKLAND
This sleek waterfront bar does escapism well, and it has two Campari–based cocktails on offer. Its Kingston Negroni draws inspiration from the Jamaican capital, matching Campari with pineapple rum and Cocchi di Torino. Meanwhile The Deli Negroni will satisfy those who prefer a more savoury taste — featuring Campari, citrus infused olive oil, gin, Cocchi di Torino and Amaro Montenegro, it's also garnished with olive and rosemary.
THE SUGAR CLUB, AUCKLAND
Bartender Johan Cabrera has outdone himself, crafting no less than four different Campari cocktails for The Sugar Club. Bitterjuice combines Campari and Cointreau with lemon juice and decadent white chocolate syrup; Bitter balances the bite of Campari and pink grapefruit with rosemary syrup and prosecco; C.T.A features coffee–infused Campari, Lustau sweet vermouth and Fever Tree tonic water; adventurous imbibers will love the Thai Basil Red Chilli Negroni — which, alongside the ingredients of its name, includes Campari, infused Tanqueray gin and Lustau sweet vermouth.
THE GOLDEN NEST AT WOODPECKER HILL, AUCKLAND
An inventive Parnell eatery that never does things by halves. Its Sour Cherry Negroni is made with Campari, pomegranate and apple oolong tea infused–Bulldog Gin, and Cocchi Americano with the tart touch of sour cherry around the rim of the glass.
THE NORTHERN CLUB, AUCKLAND
Jin Paik, bartender at the historic, leafy Northern Club, is serving up a Campari cocktail — creating a spin on the iconic Negroni. "I have added Juniper berry to give touch of more botanical flavour to the cocktail and Kuding leaf tea to bring extra bitterness into Negroni," he explains. It's artfully garnished with burnt orange peel and a flourish of wood– chip smoke for flavour and theatrics.
NON SOLO PIZZA, AUCKLAND
This iconic Parnell pizza spot serves up Italian classics aplenty; it even has a dedicated Negroni list on the menu, highlights of which include the Negroni al Cioccolato and Mezcalito Negroni. Recently refurbished, the restaurant also boasts a garden bar perfect for enjoying an Aperitivo.
MR PICKLES, HAMILTON
If you're in the heart of the Waikato and craving a classic Negroni (equal parts Campari, gin and vermouth rosso) head to the stylish Mr Pickles in Hamilton — pull up a stool at the bar, or take your cocktail out to the patio and enjoy the view.
HAWTHORN LOUNGE, WELLINGTON
Bartender Alex Vowles has created Upper Hand, a rich yet lively cocktail that pairs Campari with cognac to highlight the rhubarb and cacao in the classic red liqueur — and Vowles also includes a splash of champagne for bite and bubbles. Hawthorn Lounge is an intimate speakeasy–inspired bar in the capital, worth a visit for cocktail hour.
CRUMPET WELLINGTON
A favourite cocktail spot for Wellingtonians in–the–know, this charming bar in Te Aro has two delicious offerings on the menu; Gaspare's Frappe which combines Campari with strawberry–infused Espolon Blanco, lemon, sugar and mint, and Bird Of Paradise which features orange bitters, pineapple rum and Lillet alongside Campari (of course).
O.G.B, CHRISTCHURCH
Housed in the historic Old Government Building by Cathedral Square — also home to the Heritage Hotel — OGB bar has a lush interior and equally irresistible Elderflower Negroni created by Ben Edwards. "The familiar bitterness from Campari is balanced with the elderflower's sweetness and fl oral elements of the gin," he says, describing it as like a midsummer walk in a garden. Cucumber and orange zest provide the final flourish.
ZANZIBAR, DUNEDIN
Another bar that clearly loves Campari is Dunedin's Zanzibar, with five different cocktails on offer devised by bartender Shane. Jitterbug Deluge features the bitter duo of Campari and Aperol, teamed with lemon and Orgeat almond syrup; Regius Rosimarinus Amarum (Bitter Rosemary Royale) combines Campari, prosecco and Southward Smoked Rosemary Gin; Ignatius Herbarius features Campari, Italicus Rosolito di Bergamotto liqueur and Galliano L'Autentitco with a lemon juice and a sprig of rosemary; Sloe Dramboni gets its name from the sloe gin it teams with Campari, Cinzano and Drambuie; and last but not least the evocatively named Bitter & Bloody combines Campari, Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, tomato juice and olive brine.
LA RUMBLA, ARROWTOWN
This historic southern town is home to La Rumbla cocktail and tapas bar, which is serving up its "La Rumbla Negroni", created by bartender Jordan Lazzopina. It features Sailor Jerry spiced rum, Lustau Pedro Ximenez, Campari, as well as house–made spiced plum sorbet... delicious.