Best of Budapest & Hungary

Sweet yet bitter, a deep red classic cocktail topped with an orange slice – the Negroni. There is hardly anyone who does not know it, as it is one of the most popular drinks worldwide. This year, between September 22–28, the International Negroni Week will once again be celebrated, and Spago Budapest is joining the initiative.

For one week, guests can enjoy a special Negroni Menu, featuring Wolfgang Puck’s favorite version of the cocktail and limited-edition Negroni creations, served within the historic walls of the Matild Palace.

20 restaurants, 7 days, 1 iconic cocktail

The Negroni, made with gin, sweet red vermouth, and Campari, garnished with an orange slice, is one of the world’s most iconic cocktails. Its story goes back to Florence in the 1910s, when Count Camillo Negroni asked to strengthen his favorite Americano cocktail with a splash of gin. Since then, the Negroni has offered the perfect harmony of bitter and sweet flavors and has become a true icon of cocktail culture. To mark International Negroni Week, the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group and Campari have launched a bold, global collaboration that unites culinary excellence, fashion, and art through the timeless allure of Chef Wolfgang’s favorite cocktail.

Kicking off in New York, the initiative brings together 20 Wolfgang Puck fine-dining restaurants around the world, each offering exclusive, reimagined takes on the classic Negroni. From Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Manhattan, Washington D.C., Orlando, Maui, London, Manama, Riyadh, Istanbul, Bodrum, Marina Bay, Shanghai, and of course Budapest, each location presents Wolfgang Puck’s signature recipe and limited-edition Negroni creations for the week, crafted exclusively for the occasion.

Guests at Spago Budapest will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in four distinctive versions of the classic cocktail. Wolfgang’s Perfect Negroni blends gin, Aperol, Campari, and Carpano Antica into a refined balance – Chef Wolfgang Puck’s personal favorite. For lovers of smoky flavors, the Oaxacan Negroni offers an exciting twist, built on the harmony of Montelobos Mezcal, Campari, and Cinzano Rosso Vermouth. Those seeking a lighter yet complex flavor profile can turn to the Golden Negroni, where Bulldog Gin, Cinzano Bianco Vermouth, and Suze combine for a golden freshness. Finally, the Negroni Sbagliato represents sparkling elegance, as Campari and Cinzano Rosso Vermouth are topped with Cinzano Prosecco, creating a light and celebratory mood.

Wolfgang Puck’s Negroni Recipe

The chef’s favorite Negroni recipe preserves the character of the traditional cocktail while adding a fresh and surprising twist. The result is a more aromatic, citrusy, and smoother version, all while maintaining the Negroni’s signature bitterness.

Ingredients:

•    30 ml Botanist Gin
•    30 ml Carpano Antica
•    15 ml Campari
•    15 ml Aperol
•    1 dash orange bitters
•    1 dash lemon bitters

Directions:

1.    Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
2.    Add all ingredients and gently stir with a bar spoon for about 30 seconds.
3.    Using a cocktail strainer, pour into a serving glass over one large ice cube.
4.    Garnish with an orange peel.

The International Negroni Week is celebrated worldwide not only as a tribute to this classic cocktail but also as a charitable initiative. Each year, participating bars and restaurants support the Slow Food movement with donations. Slow Food works across more than 160 countries to ensure that food and beverages serve the well-being of consumers, provide fair conditions for producers, and safeguard the sustainability of our planet.

In Budapest, International Negroni Week celebrates classic flavors, global cocktail culture, Chef Wolfgang Puck’s creativity, and the importance of giving back – making every glass of Negroni a sip of elegance and story.