Happy Hump Day, Asheville. Audra here. ICYMI, this week is allll about celebrating 100 years of the classic, Italian gin-based cocktail – the Negroni. 🥃

What is a Negroni and why is it so special? Back in Florence, Italy in 1919, Count Camilo Negroni took his love for an Americano cocktail and had his bartender replace the soda water for gin. And, the rest is history.

This week June 24-30 is nationally known as Negroni Week – which started in 2013 as a way to celebrate this three-ingredient cocktail and give back to local charities. To date, Negroni Week has raised approximately $2 million for charitable causes.

And, Negroni Week gets pretty serious here in Asheville. On Monday was the Battle of the Negroni hosted by The Urban Gastronome and Antidote (151 Coxe Ave. #20). A panel of four judges (myself, Micah Molinari, Chris Faber + Jeff Irvin “Puff”) got to taste five Asheville-made gins and see who could make the best + creative Negroni.

Audra Goforth, Micha Molinari, Chris Faber + Jeff Irvin “Puff”

The participating distilleries were Cultivated Cocktails, Sutler's Spirit Co., Oak & Grist, Topo Distillery, and The Chemist. Each distillery made their own spin of the classic cocktail and each drink will be available at the Antidote all week long.

See each distillery’s Negroni and their ingredients, photos from the event, and find out who won the Battle of the Negroni by clicking the button below. Bonus: Find out which Asheville bars are participating in Negroni Week and the charities they are sponsoring. ⬇️

The Battle of the Negroni

Cultivated Cocktails

“Gin Blossom” | Gin, Mancino Rosso/Mancino Sakura Cherry Blossom Vermouth, Campari + Coffee Liqueur

Sutler's Spirit Co.

Bitter Sweet Symphony | Photo by AVLtoday

“Bitter Sweet Symphony” | Gin, Strawberry Infused Campari/Cappelletti, Amontillado Sherry and Lacuesta Vermut Rouge

Oak & Grist

“Witch...Please” | Gin, Suze Gentian Liqueur, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, Eda Rhyne Amaro Flora

Topo Distillery

The Three Continents | Photo by AVLtoday

“The Three Continents” | Gin, Campari, Cocchi Torino Vermouth, Grapefruit Bitters, Red Thai Chili + Basil Infused Chambord

The Chemist

“The Royal Touch” | Gin, Pimm’s, Mancino Bianco Vermouth, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Topped with Campari Foam and Cucumber Flag

And, the winner of the Battle of the Negroni was The Chemist.

Negroni Week: Asheville

Want to know which bars are participating in Negroni Week and which charity they are supporting?

Sovereign Remedies, 29 N Market St. #105 | James Beard Foundation
Rezaz Pan Mediterranean, 28 Hendersonville Rd. | No Kid Hungry
Copper Crown, 1011 Tunnel Rd. #100 | Arbor Day Foundation
The Crow & Quill, 106 N Lexington Ave. | Arbor Day Foundation
The Montford Rooftop Bar, 199 Haywood St. | No Kid Hungry
The Waterbird Asheville, 197 Charlotte St. | Helen David Relief Fund

See all contributing locations here.

Quiz

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