We asked SP bartenders and mixologists what the best negronis served in the city were; Discover the advice, from classics to revisitations
The negroni, one of the most popular drinks in the world of cocktails, is also one of the most ordered in SP bars. Made with gin, red vermouth and Campari, the drink has conquered the public’s palate, despite being a cocktail with a stronger profile.
The recipe is simple, but each venue and each bartender gives their own interpretation to the drink, with aspects that can come close to the classic version or take different directions, with subtle changes in proportions and ingredients.
And if we have to talk about negroni, there’s nothing better than listening to someone who knows the ways to idealize and execute good drinks. Next, Paladar spoke with bartenders and experts to answer a single question: What is the best negroni in Sao Paulo?
A brief history of the Negroni
Before giving advice from the experts, it is worth answering a question that we are often asked: where does the negroni come from? The exact origin of the drink is uncertain, but a common attribution is made to Count Camilo Negroni, who asked barman Fosco Scarselli, around 1919, to create a new version of the Americano, a cocktail containing Campari, vermouth and club soda .
The name of the drink, therefore, would be a tribute to the Negroni, presumably released by Caffè Casoni to conquer counters all over the world.
Which experts were consulted to define the best negroni in Sao Paulo?
- Alê D’Agostinobartender at Guillotine bar;
- Alex Ferrerspeakeasy bar chef Infinite;
- Ingrid Shindobar chef at Upside down;
- Stephanie Markinkovicbarman at Carnation Bar;
- Marcia Martinsbartender at Ella Fitz;
Márcia Martins recommends: Negroni from Trinca Bar
One of the most important elements of a good negroni is red or red vermouth, made with red wine and a combination of spices. For bartender Márcia Martins, Trinca Bar’s negronis stand out precisely for this aspect.
“Trinca, in addition to being a bar, is also a vermuteria, that is, they produce their own vermouths which are added to the negroni, and this is one of the factors that in my opinion distinguishes this bar”, comments Martins.
The classic negroni (R$42), with Punt & Mes vermouth, is also on the menu, but the bartender recommends the versions with signature vermouths: the Negroni Trinca (R$39), which contains house red vermouth, gin, Italian bitters and amaro and a light touch of olive oil; and the White Negroni (R$ 42), a reinterpretation that includes gin, Trinca and Nolly Prat white vermouths, white amaro and bergamoncello.
Service:
Rua Costa Carvalho, 96 – Pinheiros. Instagram: @trincabar.
Alê D’Agostino recommends: Negroni from Bar do Terraço Itália
One of the city’s most iconic addresses, in the heart of downtown São Paulo, also features a good version of the negroni, according to bartender Alê D’Agostino. “They make a well-balanced and correct negroni, all with one of the best views in São Paulo,” he comments. The negroni there costs R$59.
Service:
Address: Avenida Ipiranga, 344 – 41st floor – República. Instagram: @terracoitalia.
Ingrid Shindo recommends: Negronis from Bar dos Arcos, Dentro Bar, Guarita and Gaspar
The chef at Virado’s bar recommends a small itinerary of bars with good negroni around the city. In addition to the good versions on the menu at Bar dos Arcos, Guarita and Gaspar, your favorite version is on the Dentro menu, which features three versions of the drink: the national (R$49), which contains red vermouth from Cia dos Fermentados, and the Dirty Negroni (R$49), a new addition to the house menu that uses lupins and olive brine, and the imported one (R$59) which is his favourite.
The latter features the Vermouth Rosso Cinzano 1757, which stands out in the construction of a good negroni for Shindo, for its characteristic flavor of spices, such as nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon, fig, vanilla and dried fruit.
Service:
- Internal bar: Largo do Arouche, 77 – Repubblica. Instagram: @dentrobarsp;
- Bar dos Arcos: Praça Ramos de Azevedo, without number – República. Instagram: @bardosarcos;
- Guardhouse: R. Simão Álvares, 952 – Pinheiros. Instagram: @guaritabar;
- Gaspar: Praça Dom José Gaspar, 42 – Repubblica. Instagram: @Gaspar. sp;
Alex Ferrer recommends: Pina Drinks and Boca de Ouro
The more “different” negroni are also gaining ground on bar counters across the city. Alex Ferrer appreciates the trend and recommends the ‘Unusal Negroni’ (R$ 32) with a suggestive name and served at the Pina Drinks counter, with white lillet, aperol and gin. “The drink changes the original recipe a lot, but still has the soul of a negroni,” according to him.
“If the topic is the classic drink, for me there is no solution: I vote with my heart for Boca de Ouro, where I drank my first negroni about ten years ago and it is still better than ever!”, comments the bar chef of the Infinity.
Service:
- Pina drinks: Rua Brigadeiro Galvão, 177 – Barra Funda. Instagram: @pina.drinques;
- Golden Mouth: Rua Cônego Eugênio Leite, 1121 – Pinheiros. Instagram: @barbocadeouro;
Stephanie Marinkovic nominates: Pina Drinks and Boca de Ouro
Stephanie Marinkovic, from Bar dos Cravos, also has her favorite negroni Golden moutha bar in Pinheiros known for creating the classic Macunaíma cocktail. “I love Boca de Ouro, the guys there treat us with great affection,” he adds. The drink, with balance and good ingredients, has also conquered the palates of experts.
Service:
Rua Cônego Eugênio Leite, 1121 – Pinheiros. Instagram: @barbocadeouro;
Taste tested; What is the best gin on the market?
Paladar brought together a team of experts to evaluate, in a blind tasting, eleven brands of one of the essential components of the negroni. Click Here to find out which is the best gin in the supermarket.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
