RAISING A GLASS: NEGRONI WEEK COMES TO WILMINGTON

Bitter, balanced, and timeless, the Negroni is more than just a cocktail—it’s a ritual. Each September, Negroni Week celebrates this Italian classic with bars around the globe raising a glass (and funds for charity) through inventive riffs and reverent pours. This year, Wilmington is in on the action with two standout spots—Bespoke, the newly reimagined all-day café and aperitivo bar, and Olivero, known for its soulful Southern-meets-Mediterranean spirit. From traditional pours to creative twists, both bars are showing why the Negroni remains a cocktail with endless possibilities.

A Classic Born in Florence

The Negroni traces its origins to Florence, Italy, in 1919. Legend has it that Count Camillo Negroni asked a bartender to stiffen his usual Americano—a mix of Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water—by swapping soda for gin. The result was a bracing, bittersweet cocktail that quickly caught on and has endured as one of the world’s most iconic drinks.

A classic Negroni is built on equal parts:

• Gin – providing a crisp botanical backbone

• Campari – delivering that signature bitter edge and ruby hue

• Sweet vermouth – rounding it out with richness and subtle spice

Served over ice with an orange twist, it’s simple, balanced, and endlessly adaptable—qualities that have made it a bartender and cocktail lover’s favorite for more than a century.

Bespoke: From Morning Espresso to Evening Aperitivo

The beloved corner café at Second and Princess streets has been transformed into a groundbreaking all-day café and aperitivo bar under the vision of Robby Dow, a North Carolina native and former beverage director of Brooklyn's acclaimed Grand Army Bar. Wilmingtonians can now experience cocktails like the Amaro Shakerato, which Dow became known for at Grand Army and was featured in Punch.

In celebration of Bespoke’s reopening, Dow will host a dedicated pop-up during Negroni Week in collaboration with Campari at Grand Army on September 23rd. Look for a full menu take-over, and don’t miss the standout creation:

Night Nurse – a Negroni variation featuring Jamaican Rum, Cynar, Campari, Punt e Mes, banana, and coffee.

Night Nurse Recipe:

• 1 oz Appleton Signature

• 0.5 oz Overproof Jamaican Rum (split of Worthy Park 109 & Smith & Cross)

• 1 oz Punt e Mes

• 0.75 oz Campari

• 0.25 oz Cynar

• 1 tsp Banane du Brasil

• 1 tsp Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur

Stir, serve over a large block of ice, and garnish with an orange twist.

Bespoke also serves a Negroni on Tap all day, from 7 AM until late, blending London Dry Gin, Cinzano Rosso, and Campari for those who want a classic Negroni experience any time of day.

Olivero: A Modern Twist on Tradition

Across town, Olivero, helmed by James Beard-nominated Chef Sunny Gerhart and Co-Executive Chef Lauren Krall Ivey, brings a Spanish-Italian flair to Negroni Week. Known for handmade pastas, wood-fired grill offerings, and a focus on seasonal ingredients, Olivero pairs its dishes with curated cocktails crafted by Beverage Director Roy England.

Modern Spanish Negroni Recipe:

• 0.75 oz Spanish Extra Virgin Olive Oil Washed Plymouth Gin*

• 1 oz Campari

• 0.25 oz Cesar Florido Cruz Del Mar Fino Sherry

• 0.5 oz Manual Acha Atxa Rojo Vermouth

Stir, serve over a large block of ice, and garnish with an orange twist.

Olive Oil Washed Gin Method:

• Mix 2 oz Spanish extra virgin olive oil with 25 oz Plymouth gin, gently whisk, and rest for 24 hours. Freeze, remove the solid oil block, and strain through a paper filter to remove remaining solids.

  
  

A Celebration of Craft and Culture

Whether you prefer the traditional bitter balance or daring twists infused with coffee, banana, or olive oil, Wilmington’s Negroni Week offerings prove that this century-old cocktail still inspires creativity and connection. For locals and visitors alike, it’s the perfect excuse to explore the city’s vibrant bar scene, sip slowly, and toast to a drink that truly stands the test of time.