Campari cocktails

Build campari and sweet vermouth in highball glass and fill with seltzer water. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Shake and strain into an ice-filled collins glass. Add the 7-up, garnish with fruit, and serve.

Pour rum and juice into a highball glass filled with broken ice. Sprinkle the campari and galliano on top. Serve unstirred, with straws, and garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

Place several ice cubes into a 12 oz highball glass or equivalent. Gently pour in the Campari bitters until one-quarter full. Add the ginger ale until three-quarters full, pouring across the side of the glass so as to not affect the Campari on the bottom.

Pour Campari bitters into a highball glass until half-full. Completely fill the rest of the glass with soda water, and serve.

Pour cold milk in a pot. Slowly add orange juice. Finally add campari. Stir really well. Put ice cubes in glass and pour in the milk-shake. Garnish with a slice of orange. Serve with a straw.

Mix over ice in highball glass.

Shake well over crushed ice in a shaker. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, add a twist of lemon peel, and serve.

Pour the Campari over ice cubes in a highball glass, then fill with sparkling/soda water. Squeeze a lime wedge over the glass, drop it in, and serve.

Pour into an ice-filled highball glass. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Shake all ingredients together in a cocktail shaker. Double strain the mixture into a Champagne glass, then top with Champagne, and garnish with the strawberry. Serve.

Pour both ingredients into an old-fashioned glass filled with semi-crushed ice cubes. Stir and serve.

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake, strain into an old-fashioned glass almost filled with crushed ice, and serve.

Pour the Campari, peach schnapps, orange juice and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes. Shake well, strain into a collins glass and top with tonic water. Stir well, garnish with a twist of lemon, and serve.

Pour campari into highball glass over ice, add the tonic water and stir with a spoon. Garnish with an orange slice.

Blend all ingredients together by stirring in an old-fashioned glass, Add ice, and serve.

Pour into an ice-filled highball glass, and serve.

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with flamed orange peel, and serve.

Pour the campari into a highball glass with ice. Add the grapefruit juice, then the soda. Stir once.

Pour the Campari, dry vermouth and Cointreau into a mixing glass half-filled with ice cubes. Stir well, strain into an old-fashioned glass almost filled with ice cubes, and serve.

Late-Harvest Wine and Campari Cocktails

When he's grilling for pleasure on a hot summer night, Francis Mallmann invariably has a cool cocktail in his free hand. The extra-refreshing one here combines sweet wine and the bitter Italian aperitif Campari. Plus: F&W's Cocktail Guide

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 cups sweet late-harvest white wine, such as Riesling
• 2 1/4 cups fresh orange juice
• 1 cup Campari
• Ice, for serving

How to Make It

In a large pitcher, mix the white wine with the fresh orange juice and Campari. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Fill tall glasses with ice, pour the cocktail over the ice and serve.

Cocktails

A cocktail you'll love at first sip thanks to its special texture and striking mixture of flavors. There are many legends and stories about how this cocktails got its name, for sure the Americano is one of James Bond's favourite cocktails (he ordered one in 007 Casino Royale). The Americano is part of the official cocktail list of the IBA (international bartending association) and IBA cocktails are prepared all over the world according to this original recipe.

• recipe

- 1 part (1oz, 3cl) Campari

- 1 part (1oz, 3cl) Red Vermouth

1) Pour the ingredients directly in a old-fashioned glass

2) Fill with ice cubes

3) Add a splash of soda water

4) Garnish with orange slice or lemon peel.

It is commonly used to serve neat aperitif or any drink “on the rocks”.

Simple and balanced, it's considered to be one of the most famous Italian cocktails in the world. Invented in 1919 by Count Negoni - who asked to add a touch of gin rather than soda to his americano, in honour of hist last trip to London - the cocktail was finally named after the count who adored it. The Negroni is part of the official cocktail list of the IBA (international bartending association) and IBA cocktails are prepared all over the world according to this original recipe.

• recipe

- 1 part (1oz, 3cl) Campari

- 1 part (1oz, 3cl) Gin

- 1 part (1oz, 3cl) Red Vermouth

- 1 slice of orange

1) Pour all ingredients directly into a rock glass filled with ice

2) Garnish with a slice of orange.

It is commonly used to serve neat aperitif or any drink “on the rocks”.

Invented during the prohibition years and served in American style, The Boulevardier mixes European ingredients and has a rich, intriguing and intense taste.

• recipe

- 2 parts (1oz, 3cl) Campari

- 2 parts (1oz, 3cl) Red Vermouth

- 3 parts (1oz, 3cl) Bourbon Whiskey

1) Pour all ingredients into mixing glass with ice cubes.

2) Stir well and strain into chilled cocktail glass

3) Garnish with lemon twist.

Size: from 16cl to 24cl

The cocktail glass is commonly used to prepare “straight up” alcoholic cocktails without ice in the glass, usually shaken.

The eye catching colour and the sweet taste makes this cocktail unique. The Campari orange was originally named Garibaldi - the soldier who fought for the Italian unification movement - as it combines two ingredients that come from north and south of Italy: Campari is from Milan and oranges from the south.

• recipe

- 1 part (1⁄4 oz, 4cl) Campari

- 3 parts (top) Orange juice

1) Pour the ingredients into a tall glass filled with ice.

2) Garnish with a slice of orange.

As the name suggests, it is commonly used to serve cocktails made with fruit juices.

In 1972, Mirko Stocchetto at the Bar Basso in Milan added sparkling wine instead of the gin by mistake to a Negroni. He then realized that this variation had some sense and this humble mistake led to the creation of a classic cocktail that is still enjoyed all around the world today, and to its name: in fact, in Italian "sbagliato" means mistaken. Ideal for those who want to enjoy a few "bubbles" without having to forget the classic sharp Negroni taste they know and love.

• recipe

- 1 part (1 oz, 3cl) Campari

- 1 part (1 oz, 3cl) Red Vermouth

- 1 part (top) Sparkling Wine

1) Build in a double rocks glass with ice.

2) Garnish with a slice of orange.

It is commonly used to serve neat aperitif or any drink “on the rocks”.

Simplicity is often the key to the best results. And this drink proves the point. All it takes is a touch of tonic water to make an irresistible, thirst-quenching cocktail.

• recipe

- 1 part (1,1⁄4 oz, 3,75cl) Campari

- 3 parts (top) Tonic Water

1) Build the drink in a balloon glass with ice.

2) Garnish with a slice of orange.

A stemmed cocktail glass with a balloon shape bowl, ideal for serving gin or cocktails.

It holds about 415 ml and is 18 cm high.

This was the most popular drink in the bar Camparino, opened by Davide Campari himself back in 1915. Simple and easy, and perfect for the aperitif when you are in town.

• recipe

- 1 part (2 oz, 6cl) Campari

- 3 parts (top) Soda water

1) Prepare directly inside the glass.

2) Pour the chilled Campari and top up with soda.

3) Garnish with an orange slice if desired.

A stemmed glass, wherein the top of the glass pushes out a bit to form a lip in order to capture the head and the body is bulbous.

Campari and the shaker were invented at almost the same time and soon became a twosome. Perhaps this is why together they create something special. Quick, uncomplicated and with a simple elegance it is one of the best ways of enjoying Campari’s complexity.

• recipe

- 1 part (2 oz, 6cl) Campari

1) Shake well with ice and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.

Size: from 16cl to 24cl

The cocktail glass is commonly used to prepare “straight up” alcoholic cocktails without ice in the glass, usually shaken.

The simplest, most classic way of discovering and enjoying Campari's complexity. The ice will enhance its unmistakeable hint of bitter, entering dry and strong on the palate. The best time to enjoy it? Aperitif time, of course.

• recipe

- 1 part (2 oz, 6cl) Campari

1) Prepare this cocktail directly inside an ice-filled glass.

3) Garnish with a slice of orange.

It is commonly used to serve neat aperitif or any drink “on the rocks”.

Italy, around 1870. Campari bitter (made in Milan) came together with Cinzano vermouth (made in Turin). An encounter that changed everything. It is hardly surprising that the name Mi-To sounds exactly like the Italian word for ‘Myth’

• recipe

1 part (3 cl - 1oz) Campari

1 part (3 cl - 1oz) Red Vermouth

1) Build in a rocks glass full of ice. 2) Garnish with a peel of orange.

A stemmed glass, wherein the top of the glass pushes out a bit to form a lip in order to capture the head and the body is bulbous.

This is the Stars and Stripes version of the Negroni. It uses the characteristic American spirit – rye whiskey – instead of gin and became famous in the 50s. It is both strong and fascinating, like its most famous

admirers, the male stars of Hollywood of the time.

• recipe

- 1 part (3 cl - 1oz) Campari

- 1 part (3 cl - 1oz) Rye Whiskey

- 1 part (3 cl - 1oz) Dry Vermouth

1) Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice cubes.

2) Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

3) Garnish with orange peel and red cherry cocktail.

Size: from 16cl to 24cl

The cocktail glass is commonly used to prepare “straight up” alcoholic cocktails without ice in the glass, usually shaken.

Campari Milano is a new reinterpretation of Campari Spritz with a touch of mint and elder flower syrup, that offers an unexpected fresh taste experience. Ideal for the hot summer nights.

• recipe

- 1 part (11⁄2 oz, 4,5 cl) Campari

- 1 part (1oz, 3 cl) Elderflower syrup

- 3 parts (3oz, 9 cl) Prosecco

1) Prepare directly inside an ice filled glass

2) Pour the prosecco first then the elderflower and finally the Campari.

3) Garnish with fresh mint leaves and stir gently.

Size: from 30cl to 60cl

This glass has recently become popular for Prosecco based cocktails.

The Mixology Map

Find out which campari cocktail perfectly suits you.

What to Make With Campari: 16 Cocktails Everyone Should Know

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Okay, it's not gin or whiskey. You can, of course, make plenty of drinks without Campari. But when it comes to liqueurs, this bitter, herbal, and fruity aperitif is one of our go-tos. Dark red Campari adds bold flavor wherever you pour it, equal parts sweetness and bitter punch. Start with one of these 16 cocktails, and then work your way down the list, one happy hour at a time.

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

We've made a habit of going into bars and just asking for "something bitter and sour." More than once, the bartender's answer has been this rosy cocktail, made with gin, fresh lemon, Campari, and a little Cointreau to sweeten. It's a crowd-pleaser: bright and juicy, fresh but not sugary.

Campari Spritz

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

If you've spent time in Italy, you're probably plenty familiar with the orangey Aperol Spritz, often enjoyed as part of an aperitivo hour that includes an array of snacks. This Campari version is a little bolder, but still plenty refreshing. The Campari's cut with both club soda and Prosecco, and it's great with a salty olive garnish and fried snacks on the side.

Upgraded Paloma

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

A simple Paloma is a beautifully easy thing. But this is not that drink; it's something else altogether. We begin by whipping up a homemade grapefruit cordial by burying grapefruit peels in sugar and letting them macerate before adding fresh lime and grapefruit juice, salt, sugar, and a little water. Once your cordial's ready—and it'll last several weeks, so it's fine to do your prep work in advance—you'll mix it with tequila, lime, and seltzer, plus Campari, which is really grapefruit's best friend.

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Negroni devotees are an intense lot. They get tattoos of the recipe—III, for one part gin, one part sweet vermouth, and one part Campari. They sample every possible sweet vermouth in the mix. They debate adding a touch more gin to dry out the drink a bit. They set their garnishes on fire. And the Negroni's a cocktail that rewards this customizing; start with the basic equal-parts version, and tailor it to your taste. Then get going on the countless variations, a few of which we've listed for you below.

Boulevardier

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

What happens if you're making a Negroni, but you swap out the gin for whiskey? The cold-weather cocktail you'll find yourself craving. Rye or bourbon makes the bittersweet drink more robust, for a warming and rich wintry sipper.

[Photograph: Nick Caruana]

This powerful drink, usually made with spicy rye whiskey, is a bit drier than the Boulevardier, since it calls on dry vermouth instead of sweet. It's aggressively flavored and a touch boozy, so Campari newcomers may want to take it slow. But if you're already enamored with the bitter liqueur, you should definitely add this to your list.

Negroni Sbagliato

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

If you're looking for a pre-dinner drink that's not too strong, say hello to this concoction—essentially a Negroni without gin. That is, Campari and sweet vermouth, up or on the rocks, plus an important touch: bubbles. Prosecco or Cava will work just fine.

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

The Americano is even lighter than the Sbagliato; it's made with club soda instead of sparkling wine. The flavor comes from bittersweet Campari and juicy, sweet vermouth. Be sure to open up a new bottle if yours is starting to smell oxidized—and, once you've cracked the seal, keep that vermouth in the fridge for best results.

Frozen Negroni

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

Ask a bartender what's going on in cocktails right now, and you'll likely hear that everyone just wants to have fun again. Throw out your vest and suspenders, get rid of that silly mustache, and pull out the blender, because frozen cocktails are back. and this time, they're really tasty. We like to chill the mixture in the freezer ahead of time, for a less watery slushy and less last-minute fuss.

[Photograph: Nick Caruana]

The Negroni doesn't need anything, but the addition of a little absinthe makes for an intriguing concoction. The drink becomes a little more herbal, and the anise flavor teases extra interest out of the Campari, gin, and vermouth, without overtaking the drink.

[Photograph: Nick Caruana]

The magic of the Quill, but lighter, thanks to a little fizzy club soda and Prosecco. Instead of sweet vermouth, this drink boosts the bitterness of Campari a bit with Cocchi Rosa, a quinine-laced aperitif.

Eeyore's Requiem

[Photograph: Robyn Lee]

Invented by Toby Maloney of Chicago's Violet Hour, this wild ride of a drink brings together three bitter bottles: Campari plus Fernet Branca, as well as bittersweet, vegetal Cynar. Don't knock it till you've tried it.

Jungle Bird

[Photograph: Alice Gao]

We've just started to see this cocktail on more drink menus, and we couldn't be happier about it. This is a drink that's easy to love, and it's one of the best uses of Campari we know. The bittersweet stuff is brightened with lime and fresh, tangy pineapple juice, and the base of the cocktail is rich blackstrap rum. Don't use canned pineapple juice: If you don't have a juicer, you'll have to get to work muddling.

Sparkling Jungle Bird

[Photograph: Elana Lepkowski]

This fancy and festive spin on the Jungle Bird starts with rum that's been infused with lime zest and roasted pineapple. The infused aged rum pairs beautifully with a little dark rum, Campari, and sparkling wine; it might be the most elegant tiki drink you've ever tried.

[Photograph: Robyn Lee]

The Hemingway Daiquiri is made with lime and grapefruit, rum, and a touch of maraschino liqueur. This tequila variation calls on that same citrus, but swaps out the maraschino for bittersweet Campari. It's a compelling combination.

Bitter and Bold Sangria

[Photograph: Autumn Giles]

Sangria can be a little same old, same old, but this one's something special. Campari boosts the citrusy flavors of the fruit and wine and cuts the drink's sweetness nicely. A little bourbon adds a kick and a hint of vanilla flavor from barrel-aging.

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Campari Cocktail Recipe

• 3 mins
• Prep: 3 mins,
• Cook: 0 mins
• Yield: 1 serving

The Campari Cocktail is one of the best drinks featuring the distinctive Italian aperitif. It is perfect for serving at dinner parties as a nice introduction before the meal.

While Campari and bitters define this popular drink, it is important to choose your vodka wisely. Stick with the top-shelf vodkas that are nice and clean and you will have a great Campari Cocktail.

Campari does have a very particular and somewhat bitter taste that often catches people by surprise. However, with a little time and dedication you can develop a palate for it and it may just become a new favorite.

If a Campari-forward drink like this is too much, you may try easing into the taste with drinks like the Campari Cosmo, Fresh Squeeze, or Pink Campari.

What You'll Need

• 1 ounce Campari
• 3/4 ounce​​ vodka
• 1 dash​​ Angostura bitters
• Garnish: ​lemon twist

How to Make It

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes.

Campari Cocktails

These fantastic recipes include a rosy, gin-based old-fashioned and a citrusy Mediterranean Pink Lady.

Mediterranean Pink Lady

Angus Winchester loves limoncello and Campari and wanted to combine them in a classic-style (that is, not overly esoteric or fussy) cocktail. The result is a pretty pink drink that’s citrusy and crisp.

Campari-Fennel Aperitif

Pleasantly bitter, herb-infused Campari is a bracing aperitif, especially when it’s blended with a little sparkling wine as it is here. Mixologist Neal Bodenheimer loves how the vivid-red Italian spirit tastes with fennel.

Gin-Campari Old-Fashioned

Dave Kwiatkowski creates this variation on an old-fashioned by swapping gin for the whiskey. A splash of Campari adds bitterness and a rosy color.

Bridal Shower

This cocktail reminds Mike Ryan of the strawberry-rhubarb pies his mother made every spring. He roasts the rhubarb for the drink’s syrup to caramelize the edges of the stalks and to accentuate their subtle, earthy bitterness. The syrup can be mixed with club soda for a pretty, nonalcoholic drink.

Late-Harvest Wine and Campari Cocktails

When he's grilling for pleasure on a hot summer night, Francis Mallmann invariably has a cool cocktail in his free hand. The extra-refreshing one here combines sweet wine and bitter Campari.

Hidetsugo Ueno currently uses the exquisite French Dolin rouge vermouth in his Negronis, but you may want to experiment with different sweet vermouths—Martini & Rossi, Cinzano, Carpano Antica Formula—or try a bittersweet one like Punt e Mes.

Amer Mousseux

Two bracing Italian liqueurs, Cynar and Campari, lend this quirky orange-accented sparkling cocktail a love-it-or-hate-it bitterness.

Blood Peach Bellini

The Blood Peach Bellini was originally made using superseasonal summer blood peaches. This uses Campari and grenadine to approximate the rare fruit’s flavor and color.

Sorrentino

If you can’t find Barolo Chinato, use the spicy sweet vermouth Punt e Mes, which is widely available in the United States.

The cardamom flavor of Amaro Abano goes nicely with rich, nutty cream sherry in this Americano variation, the Quo Vadis.

Late-Harvest Wine and Campari Cocktails

When he's grilling for pleasure on a hot summer night, Francis Mallmann invariably has a cool cocktail in his free hand. The extra-refreshing one here combines sweet wine and the bitter Italian aperitif Campari. Plus: F&W's Cocktail Guide

Ingredients

• 3 3/4 cups sweet late-harvest white wine, such as Riesling
• 2 1/4 cups fresh orange juice
• 1 cup Campari
• Ice, for serving

How to Make It

In a large pitcher, mix the white wine with the fresh orange juice and Campari. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Fill tall glasses with ice, pour the cocktail over the ice and serve.

Campari Drinks

Drinks containing Campari

Choose from 55 drink recipes containing Campari.

Learn more about Campari in the drink dictionary!

Americano (Cocktail) Campari, Cinzano Bianco Americano Highball (Cocktail) Campari, Seltzer Water, Sweet Vermouth Astrono-TIQ (Martini) Campari, Hpnotiq, Vodka Bahamas Rum Punch (Cocktail) Campari, Coconut Rum, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Rum Bitter Bubbles (Cocktail) Campari, Champagne, Skyy Infusions Passion Fruit Vodka, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur Bitter Evan (Cocktail) Campari, Grapefruit Juice, Vodka Bitter Sweet (Cocktail) Campari, Grand Marnier, Honey Syrup, Ketel One Citroen, Lemon Juice, Orange Bitters Bitter X (Cocktail) Campari, Fee Brothers Grapefruit Bitters, Lemon Juice, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur Campari Americano (Cocktail) Campari, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth, Club Soda Campari Martini (Martini) Campari, Vodka Campari Safari (Cocktail) Campari, Gin, Lemon Juice, Tonic Water Campari-Soda (Cocktail) Campari, Sparkling Water Canadian and Campari (Cocktail) Campari, Canadian Whisky, Dry Vermouth Canton Negroni (Cocktail) Campari, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, Dry Vermouth, Orange Juice, Soda Captain's Table (Cocktail) Campari, Gin, Ginger Ale, Grenadine, Orange Juice Cinzano Sun 'n' Fun (Cocktail) Campari, Cinzano Orancio Vermouth, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice Combustible Edison (Cocktail) Brandy, Campari, Lemon Juice CORZO Bite (Cocktail) Campari, Corzo Silver Tequila, Grenadine, Jarritos Tamarindo Soda, Orange Juice Dark Horse (Cocktail) Bombay Sapphire Gin, Campari, Soda Water Dieci E Lode (Cocktail) Campari, Gin, Grapefruit Juice Dirty Dick's Downfall (Cocktail) Campari, Dry Vermouth, Gin Don Roberto Old Fashion (Cocktail) Campari, Orange Juice East Wing (Cocktail) Campari, Cherry Brandy, Vodka Elephant Ride (Cocktail) Campari, Drambuie Liqueur, Feni - The Spirit of india, Lime Juice Haschi Baschi (Cocktail) Campari, Gin, Schweppes Russian Water High Plains Drifter No. 1 (Cocktail) Angostura Bitters, Campari, Honey Syrup, Lime Juice, Tequila Jasmine (Cocktail) Campari, Cointreau, Gin, Lemon Juice Kelly-K (Cocktail) Campari, Soda Water, Vodka Laguna #1 (Cocktail) Bitters, Brandy, Campari, Martini and Rossi Bianco, Vodka Love Letter (Cocktail) Campari, Cointreau, Grenadine, Lime Juice, Maple Syrup, Peychaud Bitters Maeek (Cocktail) Campari, Orange Juice, Whiskey Martini Milano (Martini) Campari, Dry Vermouth, Dry White Wine, Gin Miss Pastore (Cocktail) Absolut Vodka, Angostura Bitters, Campari, Lemon Juice, Orange Juice, Superfine Sugar Naughty Dog (Martini) Bulldog Gin, Campari, Orange Juice, Sweet Vermouth Negroni #1 (Cocktail) Campari, Club Soda, Gin, Sweet Vermouth Negroni #2 (Cocktail) Campari, Gin, Sweet Vermouth Negroni Sbagliato (Cocktail) Campari, Dry Vermouth, Wine Nicaraguan Negroni Punch (Punch) Campari, Cinzano Rosso Vermouth, Flor de Cana 7 Year Old Rum, Grapefruit Juice, Honey Novarian Sunset (Martini) Campari, Egg White, Lemon Juice, Maple Syrup Old Pal (Cocktail) Campari, Dry Vermouth, Rye Whiskey Petticoat Lane (Cocktail) Campari, Gin, Sweet Vermouth Pink Pussy #1 (Cocktail) Bols Peach Brandy, Campari, Lemon Soda Red Hot Chocolate (Hot Drink) Brandy, Campari, Chocolate, Heavy Cream, Whole Milk Red Maple Sunset (Cocktail) Campari, Egg White, Lemon Juice, Maple Syrup Rendezvous (Cocktail) Campari, Cherry Brandy, Gin Rimshot (Cocktail) Campari, Lime Juice, White Rum Rosita (Cocktail) Campari, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth, Tequila SKYY Buon Giorno! (Cocktail) Campari, Cantaloupe, Honey, Luxardo Marachino Liqueur, Prosecco, Salt, Skyy Vodka Sloppy Pussy (Cocktail) Bacardi Rum, Campari, Gin, Midori, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Sambuca, Tequila, Vodka The Duke Of Marlborough (Cocktail) Amontillado Sherry, Campari, Lime, Raspberry Syrup The Firecracker (Shooter) Blueberry Flavouring, Campari, DeKuyper Pucker Raspberry Schnapps, Hornitos Plata Tequila, Lime Juice The Little Man (Cocktail) Campari, Guinness Tito's Apertif Martini (Martini) Campari, Orange Juice, Sour Mix, Tito's Handmade Vodka Vespa Jockey (Cocktail) Campari, London Dry Gin, Tuaca Wild Hibiscus Sea Urchin Cocktail (Cocktail) Blue Curacao, Campari, Honey, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Soda Water, Vodka, Wild Hibiscus Flower, Wild Hibiscus Syrup

Orange, Bitter, & Refreshing: 5 Classic Campari Cocktails

In the dog days of August, Campari drinks are what I crave. Campari's bracing bitterness and lush grapefruit notes are refreshing when mixed simply with soda, drunk before dinner to awaken the appetite and the palate. Campari also happens to be mixed up in some of the most classic old-fashioned cocktails and aperitivi. These are exactly what I want to drink, this time of year. Here are five favorites!

Here are five favorites, from simple and old-school to new(ish) and more nuanced.

• 1 The Bittercup - My personal favorite. A new creation with a nod to the classics, from a bar in Vancouver. Campari, a touch of Fernet Branca, a splash of prosecco, and few more surprises. Slightly fizzy, ever so refreshing.

• 2 The Negroni - An absolute old-school classic. Gin, Campari, a twist. A drink with a kick, best drunk in the evenings, before a high-class dinner.

• 3 The Americano - Like the Negroni, but gentler. No gin, and a splash of something fizzy instead. A great sipper for weekend afternoons.

• 4 The Lucien Gaudin - My husband's drink of choice. This very old-fashioned cocktail is similar to the Negroni, but a little more easy-drinking. A splash of Cointreau and dry vermouth instead of sweet give it a rounder, fuller balance, in my opinion.

• 5 Cocktail Maison - A "house cocktail" from France, with a lovely flavor from Champagne, and a peachy blush from the Campari.

What is your favorite Campari drink? Do you drink it year-round, or just in the summer? Here's a litle more background on Campari, and a bonus recipe, too, if you like to eat your Campari instead of drinking it!

(Images: See linked posts for full image credits.)

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Campari: The Essential Bitter Aperitif You Should Know

Have You Developed a Palate for Campari Yet?

Campari is a bitter Italian aperitif. It is a proprietary blend of herbs and spices, is a brilliant red color, and has a unique flavor which may take some getting used to.

The 'secret' recipe was originally developed in 1860 by Gaspare Campari in the town of Novara, Italy near Milan. Campari was fond of experimenting with new beverages and the development of this particular bitter played an integral role in changing the custom of drinking digestifs after a meal into a pre-meal custom.

Campari remains an iconic before dinner drink ingredient.

Developing a Campari Palate

Campari does have an interesting taste and it's one that can take some getting used to. Its prominent flavor is that of a strong bitter orange similar to if you were to drop orange bitters directly on your tongue (though that's not recommended as it will 'burn' your taste buds).

It has many uses in cocktails and is used in some of the best recipes of all time. Yet, for those unaccustomed to the taste Campari-forward drinks like the popular Negroni, Americano, or Campari and Soda, it can be overwhelming.

If you have tried one of those drinks and found them to be too bitter, please do not discount Campari altogether. In multiple experiments, I have found that for some individuals it is best to introduce Campari gently.

I often suggest that people begin with Campari and orange juice (built like a Screwdriver) or a similar fruit-forward drink such as the Celebration of Citrus.

You will find the bitterness is softened and you can slowly build your palate to accept Campari in a purer form. You might also consider starting with Aperol, it too is a bitter aperitif, but it gentler than Campari.

This slow integration works almost every time, though it may take a few years. It is worth the journey for achieving a more sophisticated palate and you'll wonder where Campari has been all your life.

It certainly makes almost any meal just a little bit better.

Campari Cocktails

Campari is often served on the rocks or in simple cocktails such as the Campari Cocktail and Speranza. It is used in a number of classic cocktails and though it is frequently paired with gin, it also works well with other base liquors such as whiskey and vodka.

• Boulevardier Cocktail - A classic bourbon recipe with sweet vermouth.
• Campari Cosmo - Toss Campari into an orange vodka martini.
• Cold in the Shadows - Enjoy it with raspberry and a great IPA.
• Old Pal - Rye whiskey and dry vermouth in another classic recipe.
• Pink Campari - A modern whiskey recipe filled with sweet fruits.
• Red Carpet - Pomegranate offsets the bitterness perfectly.
• Ruby Negroni - A sophisticated gin and sparkling wine cocktail.
• Tequiliano - Yes, Campari can even work with tequila.

About Campari

• Italian bitter aperitif made of a secret infusion of herbs.
• 20.5%-28% alcohol by volume (dependent on the country it's distributed in)
• In the U.S., Campari is 24% ABV (48 proof).
• Retails for around $23/750ml bottle

Campari and Art

Campari's advertising campaigns have always been interesting but it was the integration of art and advertising around the turn of the 20th-century that truly turned the tide.

The campaigns that have been developed in the last 100+ years are some of the most memorable, even outside of the alcohol industry, and they continue today.

The classic advertising posters from Campari are some of the most memorable of their time. They're quite collectible on the vintage market and make great additions to any retro decor. More recently, thematic calendars and campaigns have been produced starring celebrities such as Eva Mendes, Jessica Alba, and Salma Hayek in a series of stunning photographs.