While the iconic cocktail traditionally relies on a precise balance of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, mixologists across the city’s top hotel lounges are pushing creative boundaries with bold local infusions, ranging from vibrant torch ginger and tangy calamansi to citrusy pomelo.
Cocktail enthusiasts can sample these inventive, limited-edition creations at featured hotel bars throughout the weekend.
ARTHUR’S BAR & GRILL
Level 1, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: noon-11:30pm (Sunday to Thursday), noon-midnight (Friday and Saturday).
Tel: 03-2786 2378
Arthur’s Bar and Grill introduces Three Expressions of Campari inspired by Modern Malaysia, featuring three creative Negroni cocktails.
The collection highlights local ingredients through carefully crafted components such as pomelo, mandarin orange, Malaysian cacao and cacao tea.
Try the Red Velvet which is a mix of Campari, Ink Bitter Orange Gin, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino and house-made pomelo and mandarin cordial.
The citrus-driven profile brings a lively expression to the classic Negroni.
Incorporating cacao, The Rouge No.3 is a richer expression of Red Velvet.
With the same alcohol base, it instead incorporates Sungai Ruan 72% cacao nib tincture and cacao tea syrup, adding depth and complexity.
Meanwhile, the Red Theory mixes Campari and Ink Bitter Orange Gin with a vermouth blend, burnt mandarin reduction, cacao tea concentrate, and orange bitters.
It is finished with a chocolate half rim and orange coin.
The Negroni cocktails are priced from RM70 and will be available until Sept 30.
R BAR
Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel and Convention Centre, Corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Business hours: 10am to midnight.
Tel: 03-2706 8088
Toast to a timeless bond, celebrating the art of the Negroni with three crafted cocktails at R Bar until Sept 27.
Firstly, the Raja’s Garden Negroni incorporates Caorunn Raspberry Gin, Campari, Cherry Heering liqueur, Dubonnet Rouge sweet vermouth and homemade Ulam Raja syrup, resulting in a refreshing fruity taste layered with botanical complexity
The Heritage & Steel Negroni is a mix of Silent Pool Gin, Campari, Punt E Mes vermouth, Antica Formula vermouth and torch ginger honey, bringing a fragrant local accent to a richly bittersweet cocktail.
Meanwhile, the Tin Miner’s Negroni mixes Ki No Tea Gin, Campari, Cucielo Rosso, clarified calamansi cordial and shiso bitters.
This Negroni captures that sense of convergence as Kuala Lumpur is the meeting point of the Klang and Gombak rivers, uniting Japanese tea botanicals, Malaysian calamansi and Italian aperitivo traditions in a single glass.
These three cocktails are priced from RM50.
Guests can try the classic cocktails such as Negroni Sbagliato, Negroni and Island Time Negroni, a rum negroni.
A Negroni masterclass is also available throughout Negroni Week at RM160 per person, offering a choice of two Negronis from the Negroni Week collection.
BLUE @ Sky51
Level 51, EQ, Equatorial Plaza Jalan Sultan Ismail, KL.
Business hours: 5pm-1am
Tel: 03-2789 7777
To celebrate Negroni Week, Blue @ Sky 51 will serve three signature Negroni cocktails with a unique twist as well as the Italian classic cocktail.
The Sbagliato swaps gin for prosecco, giving a lighter, sparkling twist on a classic.
Meanwhile, the Paper Lantern cocktail mixes Campari, gin, pickled ginger, and Jasmine distillate, offering a floral fragrance.
For a more complex and tropical option, try the Stranded & Salty, which incorporates Campari fat-washed coconut, spiced rum, salted pineapple soda and strawberry.
Classic lovers can still order the Negroni.
The Negroni cocktails are priced from RM58+ and are available until Sept 30.
@21 ROOFTOP BAR
Level 21, Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur.
Business hours: 4.30pm to midnight (weekdays), 11am to midnight (weekends).
Tel: 012-698 4462
Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur will mark Negroni Week with two distinct experiences in the heart of the city.
The @21 Rooftop Bar turns the afternoon into a three-hour rooftop aperitivo with free-flow Aperol Spritz and Campari Spritz while at Il Forno, cocktail lovers can explore three expressions side by side with an all-day Negroni flight.
These two venues bring different sides of Italian aperitivo culture under one roof.
At @21 Rooftop Bar, guests can enjoy unlimited servings of Aperol Spritz and Campari Spritz for RM188nett per person from noon to 3pm.
Both promotions are available until Sept 27.
Located on Level 19, Il Forno will serve a Negroni flight featuring three cocktails, namely Rosco di Bosco, Barrel-Aged Negroni and Classic Negroni Priced at RM158nett per flight.
The trio is served together, giving cocktail enthusiasts an opportunity to compare three interpretations of the bittersweet Italian classic at their own pace.
CACAO MIXOLOGY & CHOCOLATE
Level 75, Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Menara Merdeka Maybank, Presint Merdeka 118, Kuala Lumpur.
Business Hours: 5pm to midnight
Tel: 019-235 1234
Cacao Mixology and Chocolate presents House of Negroni, a month-long programme dedicated to one of the bar world’s most recognisable cocktails.
Running until Sept 28, the menu features four signature cocktails, each approaching the Negroni from a different point of view.
The Rosso Verde Campari introduces a herbaceous note to the classic with Thai basil and basil salt while Assam-Groni brings together Assam tea, sour plum and calamansi for a more vibrant profile.
Chai Neg takes a richer turn with Cognac VSOP and chai foam, adding warmth and depth, while Kaffir Canopy pairs Campari with kaffir lime-infused gin and is served with a mezcal Negroni Week praline.
Alongside the cocktails, The Virgroni Praline draws on Cacao’s chocolate programme, offering another take on the Negroni through chocolate.
