Negroni Week 2026 in Croatia: Old Pilot’s Brings Signature Cocktails to Zagreb, Split and Zadar

From September 21 to 27, 2026, Croatia will once again be part of the global Negroni Week celebration. Selected bars and restaurants in Zagreb, Split and Zadar will serve classic Negronis alongside creative signature cocktails inspired by the iconic Italian cocktail. Adding a distinctly Croatian touch to this year’s celebration is award-winning Old Pilot’s Gin.

Bitter, sweet, aromatic and elegant – the Negroni has held a special place in the world of cocktails for more than a century. From September 21 to 27, 2026, its story will once again be celebrated as part of Negroni Week, the global event dedicated to cocktail culture, mixology and the creativity of bartenders around the world.

Croatia has been participating in Negroni Week for ten years, and this year’s edition brings together an international cocktail classic and the best of Croatia’s craft spirits scene. Selected venues in Zagreb, Split and Zadar will give the Negroni a distinctly Croatian twist with Old Pilot’s Gin.

What Is Negroni Week?

Negroni Week was launched in 2013 by Imbibe Magazine and Campari and has since grown into a global celebration bringing together bars, bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts around the world.

The concept is simple yet powerful: celebrate one of the world’s most iconic cocktails, give bartenders the freedom to reinterpret it in their own style, and support charitable causes at the same time.

The Negroni is the perfect canvas for creativity. Its classic structure is built around gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, yet that simplicity leaves plenty of room for new flavours, techniques and interpretations.

From a Florentine Legend to a Global Cocktail Classic

The story of the Negroni dates back to Florence in 1919, when Count Camillo Negroni allegedly asked for a stronger version of his favourite Americano at Caffè Casoni.

Instead of soda water, gin was added to the drink, while an orange peel became its signature garnish.

The Negroni was born – and over the following century it became one of the most recognisable cocktails in the world.

Today, more than 100 years later, the Negroni is experiencing another renaissance. Negroni Week has become a platform for bartenders to explore the possibilities of the classic while respecting its unmistakable character.

A Croatian Signature: Old Pilot’s Gin

A distinctive Croatian touch to this year’s Negroni Week comes from Old Pilot’s Gin, the Croatian craft gin that has gained international recognition through prestigious spirits competitions.

Its botanical profile features Croatian juniper alongside notes of sage, lavender and olive leaf, creating an intriguing base for modern Negroni interpretations.

The combination of a classic Italian cocktail and a Croatian craft gin opens the door to signature drinks that respect tradition while introducing something entirely new.

Negroni Week at Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar

One of the highlights of this year’s Negroni Week in Zagreb is Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar, where renowned Croatian mixologist Vjenceslav Madić – Master Kishoni has created a special Negroni menu.

The menu features Old Pilot’s London Dry, Strawberry and Barrel Aged Gin.

According to Madić, the key to reinterpreting the Negroni is preserving its essential character.

“A Negroni must remain a Negroni.”

His approach is to build on the classic ingredients with additional flavours and techniques without losing the cocktail’s original identity. Particular attention is given to sweet vermouth and Campari, the ingredients that define the character of the Negroni.

Four Negroni Creations by Master Kishoni

NEGRONI – The classic version combines Old Pilot’s Gin, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino and Campari. Elegant, balanced and unmistakably Negroni.

NEGRONI ROSA – Strawberry-infused Old Pilot’s Gin meets Cocchi Rosa and Campari, enhanced with Paragon Vetiver cordial. A fresher, fruitier and more aromatic interpretation.

DUBAI NEGRONI – Barrel Aged Old Pilot’s Gin, Cocchi Vermouth and Campari are combined with pistachio and an aromatic coffee liqueur. Rich, velvety and luxurious, with an oriental-inspired character.

ZAGREB NEGRONI – A local tribute to Zagreb, combining Old Pilot’s Gin and Cocchi Vermouth di Torino with chestnut liqueur. The drink is finished with a silky foam made from Campari, white Amaretto, lemon and egg white.

Creative Negroni Twists at Blend Bar

Another Croatian interpretation comes from Filip Lipnik, a renowned Croatian bartender and founder of the Art of Bar academy, who combines coffee culture with contemporary mixology at Zagreb’s Blend Bar.

For Lipnik, balance is the key to creating a successful Negroni variation.

Old Pilot’s Gin was selected for its combination of juniper and botanicals such as olive leaf and orange peel, which complement the bar’s interpretation of the classic.

What to Try at Blend Bar

OLD CAT – Old Pilot’s Gin, Amaretto, Cointreau, Campari and orange bitters create a powerful yet balanced combination.

SCARLET – Rosemary-infused rum meets Earl Grey-infused Campari, fig liqueur from Ruke and refined Tio Pepe Fino sherry.

TONKA BOULEVARD – Campari, sweet vermouth and bourbon infused with cocoa butter and tonka create a rich and aromatic interpretation.

AGRONI – A distinctly Croatian twist combining Antique bitter herbal liqueur, Campari, vermouth and complex Aromatic and Plumpx bitters.

Where to Experience Negroni Week 2026 in Croatia?

If you are looking for Negroni Week in Zagreb, Split or Zadar, this year’s celebration will take place at 12 selected venues.

Zagreb

• Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar

• Urania Bar

• Blend Bar

• Landsky

• Dežman Bar

• Hub Cooltura Pub

• Nico’s Bar & Bistro

• Balon Restaurant

• Witrina Bar

• Lu-Ma Wine & Friends

Split

• Sistema Bar

Zadar

• Varosh

At these venues, cocktail lovers will be able to explore different interpretations of one of the world’s most iconic drinks – from the classic Negroni to creative signature cocktails.

Negroni Week 2026 – When and Where?

Dates: September 21–27, 2026
Locations: Zagreb, Split and Zadar, Croatia
Focus: Negroni, signature cocktails, mixology and Old Pilot’s Gin

For cocktail lovers, gin enthusiasts and anyone interested in modern mixology, Negroni Week 2026 is an opportunity to discover new interpretations of one of the world’s most famous cocktails.

From the elegant classic Negroni to modern creations featuring strawberry, chestnut, pistachio, coffee, fig, tonka and Croatian herbal liqueurs, this year’s Croatian edition demonstrates just how much creative potential remains in a cocktail that was first created more than a century ago.

From September 21 to 27, discover your favourite Negroni and experience a Croatian interpretation of one of the world’s most iconic cocktails.