At XU, perched elegantly within the Kempinski Hotel at Mall of the Emirates, September marks a celebration of one of the world’s most beloved cocktails. From 22 to 28 September, the Michelin-selected restaurant and bar invites guests to experience Negroni Week through a curated menu of four limited-edition creations. Each cocktail reinterprets a pivotal chapter in the drink’s history, tracing its journey from 19th-century Milan to today’s most daring reinventions.
The story begins with Jitano, a delicate tribute to the Americano, first enjoyed in the cafés of Milan in the 1860s. At XU, the drink is revitalised with Campari, Rosso Vermouth, and a house-made Goji Berry and Yuzu Cordial, lifted by a sparkling touch of soda. Bright, refreshing, and gently bittersweet, it captures the charm of an earlier era while reflecting the refined craftsmanship of XU’s mixologists.
From Milan, the narrative continues to Florence, where the classic Negroni was born in 1919. XU’s Rygroni honours this timeless creation while adding layers of depth and intrigue. Coconut fat-washed gin mingles with Campari, Aperol, cherry-infused Rosso Vermouth, and Umeshu, resulting in a complex yet balanced cocktail. The richness is tempered by subtle fruit notes, offering a memorable reimagining of a favourite that remains a global standard.
The journey then turns to a happy accident—the creation of the Negroni Sbagliato. XU’s Negroni Zuò Cuòle transforms this playful twist into an elegant composition. Campari and Rosso Vermouth are infused with chamomile and crowned with Prosecco, producing a light, floral effervescence. It is a drink that embodies spontaneity, elevated with sophistication, and a bittersweet finish that lingers like a fleeting memory.
Completing the quartet is XU’s own contemporary signature, the Xing Lái Negroni. Here, Malfy Limone Gin pairs with kumquat-infused Campari and Vermouth Rosso, topped with a smooth orange and coffee foam. This inventive combination brings together brightness and warmth, citrus and roasted notes, in a cocktail that feels distinctly modern while paying homage to tradition. It is, in many ways, the essence of XU: bold, thoughtful, and unafraid to innovate.
Each creation has been designed not only as a drink but as an experience, one that carries the guest through the eras and locales that shaped the Negroni. Together, they capture the enduring spirit of this iconic cocktail while showcasing XU’s flair for storytelling through flavour. Priced at AED 65 each, the menu offers both seasoned cocktail enthusiasts and curious newcomers the chance to savour history by the glass.
Beyond its craftsmanship, Negroni Week at XU embodies a deeper sense of cultural connection. By blending the influences of Italy’s café culture with contemporary mixology, the celebration reflects Dubai’s own cosmopolitan spirit. It is a reminder of how cocktails, like art, music, and fashion, can serve as vessels of memory and reinvention, bridging moments across time and place.
Housed within the luxurious setting of Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates, XU provides the ideal backdrop for this occasion. The restaurant’s refined ambience, coupled with its reputation as a Michelin-selected dining destination, ensures that Negroni Week is not merely an indulgence but a moment to pause, reflect, and delight in the craftsmanship of a timeless ritual.
Reservations can be made by calling +971 4 394 6252 or emailing book@xudubai.ae, with more details available on Instagram at @xurestaurantdubai. For one week only, Negroni lovers are invited to raise a glass to history, creativity, and the art of reinvention at XU—a celebration of a cocktail that continues to inspire the world.
