I’m all about taking risks, trying new things and being incredibly adventurous.

Easier said than done, but in my life, some of the most beautiful, fulfilling experiences have come through being intentional and going beyond the unexpected. In this space, the reward of taking that step is often insurmountable. Whether I’m in a new country exploring the food and design culture, driving in my state to capture the beauty of new landscapes or in my kitchen at home, I thrive on trying new things.

This month I’m partnering with Campari to do just that. To take risks and go beyond the expected. I did this by remixing the classic Negroni – an iconic cocktail with Campari at the heart that dates back almost 100 years and growing more popular everyday. Campari has a pleasant bitter taste and is a complex blend of herbs and spices with orange as the predominant flavor.

So here you have it – my fresh take on a classic with an edge. This Strawberry Negroni combines fresh spring strawberries, aromatic bitters, vermouth and of course Campari. It’s totally refreshing. I took it to the next level by topping it off with champagne. The finished result is smooth, sweet, sparkly and just slightly bitter. If you’ve never tried a Negroni, or are usually more fond of sweeter drinks, this is a great starting place.

In case you haven’t heard of it – did you know that Negroni actually has it’s own “week?”. It’s an annual global charity initiative co-hosted by Campari and Imbibe Magazine. This year, Negroni Week will take place from June 4-10th!

For one week, bars and restaurants mix classic Negronis and Negroni variations for a great cause. To participate, each venue signs up at negroniweek.com, and chooses from a list of official charity partners to donate to.

Negroni Week launched in 2013 as a celebration of one of the world’s great cocktails and an effort to raise money for charities around the world. From 2013 to 2017, Negroni Week grew from about 100 participating venues to over 7,700 venues around the world, and to date, they have collectively raised nearly $1.5 million for charitable causes.

I love supporting this movement and would love to invite you to check out Negroni week in your own city! For all my Portland friends, here’s a few participating bars locally:

Bamboo Sushi
836 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

The Station Public House
2703 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

Ash Bar PDX
575 NE 24th Ave, Portland, OR 97232

Share your Negroni Week moments on social media by tagging @christiannkoepke , @CampariUSA, @Imbibe and by sharing with the hashtags #NegroniWeek, #Imbibe, #Imbibegram

[Post is sponsored and all opinions are my own. Image 1 captured by Sarah Knott, art directed & edited by Christiann Koepke]

Sparkling Strawberry Negroni

This Strawberry Negroni combines fresh spring strawberries, aromatic bitters, vermouth and of course Campari. It’s totally refreshing. I took it to the next level by topping it off with champagne. The finished result is smooth, sweet, sparkly and just slightly bitter. If you’ve never tried a Negroni, or are usually more fond of sweeter drinks, this is a great starting place.

Servings: 1 cocktail

Ingredients

60 g about 2 strawberries, chopped into ½” cubes
1 ½ oz Campari
1 ¾ oz Sweet Vermouth
3-4 dashes aromatic bitters
Champagne of choice dry or sweeter, depending on your preference and how bitter you want your drink

Instructions

Muddle strawberries in cocktail shaker.
Add Campari, muddle again to incorporate and meld flavors.
Add ice into shaker.
Pour in vermouth. Add bitters.
Stir until very cold, around 30 seconds.
Strain and pour in rocks glass.
Top off with chilled champagne to your taste preference. Enjoy going a sip beyond with the the bittersweet fusion of Campari in this cocktail….