Stable’s seasonal spin on the negroni is filled with its own cherry liqueur.

14 Negronis to Knock Back Right Now in D.C.

Never be without the classic Italian cocktail again

by Travis Mitchell@travisjmitchell Updated Jun 29, 2021, 2:51pm EDT

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Stable’s seasonal spin on the negroni is filled with its own cherry liqueur.

| Amanda Hoey/Stable

by Travis Mitchell@travisjmitchell Updated Jun 29, 2021, 2:51pm EDT

Balanced with bitter, citrus and sweet notes, the popular negroni is particularly a crowd favorite when the weather warms up because it’s best enjoyed with a nice dose of sunshine and a soft breeze.

The simple, yet satisfying, classic Italian cocktail contains just three ingredients: gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Many restaurants stick closely to the traditional recipe, but that doesn’t stop curious bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts from experimenting with all kinds of variations to its original form. Some replace the gin with trendy spirits like Singani or overproof rum, while others play around with preparations like nitrogen infusion or frozen blends. Still others tweak the classic bitter or sweet components with counterparts like locally made amaro.

The ingredients may be different, but the intent is typically the same — a slightly bitter apéritif that is the drink of the season.

Here are 14 variations on the negroni mixed up all over town.

2 Amys

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Pizza and negronis make a fine pairing at this bustling Neapolitan-inspired kitchen that recently reopened for in-person dining. The namesake negroni is a marriage of Beefeater gin along with rose vermouth and bitter Tiber Aperitivo, both made in D.C. by Capitoline Vermouth.

3715 Macomb St NW, Washington, DC 20016

(202) 885-5700

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No Kisses Bar

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It’s worth a trip to Park View for the namesake negroni at this cocktail bar and garden. The satisfying drink gets a depth of flavor and body from Ford’s gin, del Professore vermouth, Capitoline Tiber Aperitivo and Alta Verde amaro. Even better, there’s pizza and Italian fare available to bring over from Sonny’s Pizza next door.

3120 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

(202) 601-7701

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Retrobottega

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When the days get hot, this Italian small plates bar is ready to cool off Adams Morgan crowds with a negroni slushee, blended with gin, Campari, sweet vermouth and grapefruit juice.

2435 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 450-5219

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The Green Zone

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Adams Morgan’s Middle Eastern cocktail bar relies on a recipe from tiki enthusiast Garret Richard of NYC’s dearly missed Existing Conditions to deliver a tropical take on the classic. Dubbed the Beachcomber Negroni, the drink balances a medley of Caribbean rums with Campari and Dolin vermouth. — Tierney Plumb

2226 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 579-9606

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Officina Georgetown

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This outpost of Nicholas Stefanelli’s trattoria features a negroni on its long list of classic cocktails. The bartenders keep it simple, with Beefeater gin, Campari and sweet vermouth.

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1525 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 629-2202

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Tabard Inn

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This historic hotel serves a white negroni using Singani, a Bolivian grape spirit, instead of gin. The cocktail is finished with Cocchi Americano amaro and Suze, a bitter French liqueur.

1739 N St. NW, Washington, D.C.

(202) 785-1277

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Columbia Room

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Anyone lucky enough to score a reservation to the Columbia Room’s spritz garden can savor an expertly crafted negroni, a unfussy mix of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth.

124 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 316-9396

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CUT by Wolfgang Puck - DC

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Wolfgang Puck’s luxurious steakhouse at the Rosewood Hotel has an entire section devoted to the invention of Italy’s beloved aperitif cocktail. The “Negroni Century” collection features options like the Golden Negroni (Botanist gin, Suze, Italicus, Dolin Blanc vermouth) and Capitol Negroni built with Puck’s exclusive rye collab with Catoctin Creek. — T.P.

1050 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 617-2424

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The Capital Burger

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This Capital Grill offshoot has a barrel-aged negroni on its menu to pair with its burgers and sandwiches, priced at a reasonable $12.

1005 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 638-0414

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Alta Strada

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There are two types of negronis to pick from while dining here, starting with the classic, poured from the tap and made with London dry gin. The bar also mixes a negroni radler, combining the standard negroni with grapefruit, orange and a splash of Peroni lager.

465 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 629-4662

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RPM Italian

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This Italian spot has a classic take on the negroni, stirring it with Ford’s gin, house-blended vermouth and Campari.

650 K Street NW, Washington, D.C.

(202) 204-4480

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Stable DC

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This cozy Swiss restaurant is known for its herbal and seasonal drinks. For summer, it’s created a Cherroni, with local Green Hat citrus gin and Don Ciccio & Figli Cerasum Aperitivo along with amaro and housemade cherry liqueur.

1324 H St NE, Washinton, DC 20002

(202) 733-4604

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Sfoglina Rosslyn

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The negroni comes in three variations at Fabio Trabocchi’s relaxed pasta house. The classic is made with Bluecoat gin, while the Island variety swaps in overproof Jamaican rum. A more refined European twist features Hayman’s Old Tom gin, Select Aperitivo and fino sherry. Glitzy Georgetown sister Fiola Mare serves a pair of reliable negronis, too.