Kendra Anderson is the proprietor of Bar Helix which is located in Denver, RiNo District. The bar oozes elegance and sophistication. Since its inception it has been popularized by the locals and drive-by tourists as well. It is most known for serving a range of improvised Negroni cocktails, selection of wines, beers, sake, ciders and a side of bites.
Inception
Between the years 2003 until 2011 Anderson worked in a catering business. This exposure to the culinary and event planning industries built up her desire and potential for creating experiences. While still on this role, Kendra began working in the wine industry and honed her sommelier abilities. For more than three years, she contributed to a wine and entertainment column for Westword.
Having lived in Denver for close to two decades, Kendra had not yet come across anything in the area that reflected the life she had imagined. In her mind, she saw a location where a variety of drinks and light delectables could be offered and enjoyed. So, she decided to start a bar in order to incorporate all of her talents into one company. The vision eventually came true, and today we are here.
In Honor of Negroni
The Negroni is a drink made by a combination in equal parts of Gin, vermouth, and Campari (or another equivalent Italian bitters). The name Negroni is derived from a number of provocative screwdriver drink make ups that gained popularity in the 1970s, others are such as the Sloe screw and the Harvey Wallbanger.
According to Anderson, Bar Helix establishment in Denver’s River North neighborhood is the only one serving the Negroni cocktail west of the Mississippi. The best time to enjoy one is over Brunch which is offered every Sunday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. and includes an alternate to the traditional Negroni called a Nice Bitter Screw.
Not Just the Traditional Negroni
Paired with Errio, her top-notch mixologist, Anderson incorporates ingredients like Bar Hill gin, Carpano Antica Formula vermouth, and Montanaro 6 PM, to improve or put a twist on the traditional Negroni. There are many ways to achieve this but one way is to combine the base spirit with an aperitif that has been sweetened with 50% orange juice.
These two innovators work tirelessly going over every small detail to create varieties of the intricate symphony of bitter, dry, sweet, and fruity elements that is the Negroni. Great attention is paid to the use of themes, ingredients, and inspirations.