Photo: Duane Tinkey
Centro recently debuted a negroni granita during a themed dinner, inspired by one of executive chef Michael Kolodzej’s favorite restaurants in Chicago that serves negroni slushies and fried chicken. In Italy, a “granita” is a semi-frozen dessert similar to an Italian ice but with a flakier, icier texture like a snow cone. It’s typically made with sugar, water and fruit, but Centro bartender Nate Evans created a version that involves a boozy mixture of gin, Campari, blood orange syrup and sweet vermouth frozen over several weeks. It was such a crowd favorite during the dinner that the bar decided to introduce it to the menu full time for the summer. It’s a classy way to cool off.
Find other icy drinks at Lucky Horse on University Avenue, which uses a classic slushy machine to churn out Old Fashioneds and other rotating flavors that are a bit more refined than your typical 7-Eleven Slurpee. At Revival House, just off Court Avenue, the bartenders specialize in tiki-style drinks like blended strawberry daiquiris and tropical frozen mai tais.
