Campari

Everything you need to know about Campari

Established in 1860 by Gaspare Campari, Campari Bitters boasts a rich history rooted in the heart of Milan, Italy. As Gaspare's most successful liquor, Campari soon became a quintessential staple in Italian culture.

The original recipe remains a tightly-guarded secret, but it is believed to contain over 60 ingredients, including fruits and herbs. Campari's vibrant red colour and bitter flavour quickly resonated with consumers, propelling its popularity worldwide and the brand remains an iconic presence on any shelf.

How is Campari Made?

The exact process of making Campari remains a secret, but it begins with a base of distilled water and alcohol. This is blended with an assortment of aromatic herbs, plants, roots and fruits (such quinine, rhubarb, ginseng, chinotto and cascarilla bark). The key ingredient is bitter orange peel – which drives the flavour profile.

Some ingredients are individually infused and distilled to preserve their unique flavour, others are just steeped. The blend is then sweetened and left to rest in oak vats to develop its iconic bitter profile.

What does Campari Taste like?

Campari's taste is distinctly bitter and complex, with a sophisticated balance of bittersweet citrus and spicy notes. The flavour opens with a sweet orange zest, followed by an herbal complexity that adds depth to the citrus and finishes with a lingering bittersweet aftertaste, stimulating the palate and inviting further exploration.

Most of all, it’s intense and assertive. That bold profile carries through in cocktails.

The Campari Spritz & The Americano

A Campari Spritz is a refreshing Italian cocktail made with Prosecco, Campari, and soda water. Consider it the cousin of the ever-popular Aperol Spritz.

This vibrant red, sparkling drink is a classic aperitif, known for its balance of bitterness, fruitiness, and effervescence, offering an invigorating start to any pre dinner drinks. Rather than garnish your next Campari Spritz with an orange twist, try adding an olive skewer for a more savoury affair.

Not dissimilar to a Spritz is the Americano, a cocktail that consists of Campari, sweet vermouth, and a splash of soda.

The taste is a perfect balance of bitterness from the Campari, sweetness from the vermouth, and a bubbly finish from the soda. It’s the kind of drink that is as good at Brunch as it is as an evening Aperitif.

Campari & The Negroni

Campari plays a crucial role in a Negroni, providing the distinctive bitterness that balances the sweetness of the gin and vermouth. Arguably, there is no Negroni without Campari.

Its rich, complex flavour profile adds depth and sophistication to this classic Italian cocktail and in all the riffs that have been made on the cocktail, it remains the anchoring component.

Negroni Sbagliato

A Negroni Sbagliato is a delightful variation of the classic Negroni. Given its recent explosion in popularity over on TikTok, it’s become one of the top trending drinks of recent times.

Substituting Prosecco for gin, it offers a lighter, more effervescent taste. The Campari imparts a bitter edge, balanced by the sweet vermouth while the bubbly Prosecco not only adds fizz but leans the Sbagliato into a drink that’s not quite as bitter. (If you want to go lighter and less bitter, make the drink longer by adding more Prosecco).

Iconic Campari cocktails

Campari Orange (aka the Garibaldi)

The Campari Orange, or Garibaldi, is a simple, yet delightful cocktail made with Campari and fresh orange juice. It’s literally that simple!

Named after the Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi, this drink combines the bittersweet Campari with the sweetness of fresh orange juice, creating a refreshing and balanced drink.

The Milano Torino

A Milano Torino is a simple, classic cocktail made of equal parts Campari (from Milan) and sweet vermouth (from Turin).

The taste is a balance of Campari's bitterness and the herbaceous sweetness of vermouth, offering a refreshing and aromatic experience. The key is matching the right vermouth for your palate as too sweet and the overall drink goes syrupy.

What’s the difference between Campari vs Aperol

As two classic Italian aperitifs that are widely used in famous cocktails, Campari and Aperol are the two best known aperitivo brands.

They share a lot of similar history - Campari was first invented in Novare in 1860, while Aperol was created in Padia in 1919, they are now owned by the same parent company. Look closer however, and you’ll see that they are quite different from one another.

Campari has a deep orange peel flavour, intense bittersweet finish filled with citrus, rhubarb and herbal spice. Aperol tastes lighter, with vibrant grapefruit and caramelised orange and subdued bitterness.

Campari is certainly the more intense of the two, both in citrus, bitterness and even in colour. For those looking for lower alcohol serves - Campari has a higher ABV (25%) while Aperol is 11% ABV. That low alcohol nature is one of the reasons the Aperol Spritz is so well suited to summer sipping – Aperol is full of flavour yet only the same strength as the average wine.

FAQ about Campari

How many calories are in a bottle Campari?

There are around 80 calories in a 30ml serving size of Campari. Always check the label for the most accurate information.

What is the alcohol content of Campari?

Campari typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 24-28.5%, depending on the country of sale. In the UK, it’s 25%ABV.

Is Campari Vegan?

Yes, in the UK Campari is vegan. It doesn't contain any animal-derived ingredients anymore (famously it used to derive its bright red colour from cochineal beetles). However, always check the bottle's label or the brand's official information as formulas may vary between countries.

How long does Campari last once open?

Once opened, a bottle of Campari can last for over a year if properly stored. It won't become unsafe to drink, but the flavour may start to change thereafter.