Nan-groni: the cocktail helping elderly people in need

‘Grannies Know Best’ – of course they do. With old age comes not just wisdom but an ability to not give a damn about holding your tongue and to say whatever truth the young un’s might need. But ‘Grannies Know Best’ is not just a slogan for life, it’s a campaign by Barcelonian aperitivo brand, El Bandarra now hitting the UK.

With all the respect grannies deserve, in what is going to be a challenging time for elderly people, El Bandarra is launching a special solidarity cocktail this Negroni Week (12-18th September): the Nan-groni.

It’s aim is to raise money for isolated older people during the winter months. While new of the Queen’s death has rocked the campaign, they are going ahead with it in the belief that raising money in this way is important (and no doubt the Queen would approve). UK Marketing Manager, Allison Renfrew, said, “Following the very sad news last week, we carefully considered postponing the fundraiser.  We made the decision to continue as the charity, Re-engage, support and empower older people in the UK.  We felt this was important, during this difficult time”

The partnership with national charity Re-engage will help support the services it runs such as social gatherings and telephone befriending for people aged 75 and over which keep older people connected and socialising with each other.

All El Bandarra profits from every Nan-groni cocktail sold at Southbank’s Between the Bridges during Negroni Week and the Nan-groni bundle purchased from their website from September to December will go directly to the charity.

The new recipe, which pairs one part of both El Bandarra’s Al Fresco aperitivo and Rojo vermouth with one part gin, is a twist on the classic Negroni cocktail. This softer approach to the cocktail not only serves up Barcelona sunshine in a glass ‘Bandarra style’, but helps raise funds to empower older people in the UK.

The story between El Bandarra and grannies comes from afar. In 2021, the brand launched the campaign “Grannies Know Best” in Spain, celebrating the iconic Spanish tradition of Salir al Fresco (grabbing a chair to sit outside and gossip with friends for hours), from which El Bandarra Al Fresco receives its name.

An advert was followed by a music festival for nursing homes called “Primabuela Sound” (abuela meaning granny) in Spain and granny inspired recipes in festivals like Love Supreme that accompanied their signature drink, Bandarra Spritz, made with 1/2 Al Fresco, 1/2 cava and a splash of soda.

Co-founder, Alex Virgili, said, “We had a truly mind-opening time in Barcelona with the Primabuela Sound grannies so we decided to partner up with Re-engage  in the UK to replicate the fun. Grannies love to party as much as we do and have much more experience than any of us at it!”

The fundraiser also continues through London Cocktail Week, where you can find an El Bandarra Granny Spritz Bar at Eccleston Yards from October 13th – 23rd.