Campari cocktails offer a world of exciting flavors for drink lovers. This bright red Italian liqueur brings a unique bitter-sweet taste to mixed drinks.
Its complex blend of herbs and fruits can transform ordinary cocktails into something special.
You’ll find many ways to enjoy Campari beyond the classic Negroni. From light and refreshing options to bold and spirited concoctions, there’s a Campari cocktail for every taste.
This versatile ingredient pairs well with various spirits, juices, and mixers.
Get ready to explore some delicious recipes that will spice up your drink menu.
1. Negroni
The Negroni is a classic Campari cocktail you’ll love. It’s easy to make with equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
To create this drink, pour 1 ounce each of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth into a mixing glass with ice. Stir well to chill and combine the flavors.
Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with an orange peel for a zesty aroma.
The Negroni’s bright red color and balanced taste make it a popular choice for cocktail lovers.
2. Americano
The Americano is a classic Campari cocktail that’s easy to make at home. You’ll need Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda.
To mix an Americano, fill a highball glass with ice.
Pour in equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, usually 1.5 ounces each. Top it off with club soda and give it a gentle stir.
This drink has a bittersweet taste with a refreshing fizz. It’s perfect for sipping on warm days.
The Americano dates back to the 1860s and was created in Milan, Italy.
You can garnish your Americano with an orange slice or twist to add a citrusy aroma.
3. Boulevardier
The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that combines whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Campari. It’s similar to a Negroni but replaces gin with bourbon or rye whiskey.
To make a Boulevardier, mix equal parts of each ingredient: 1 ounce whiskey, 1 ounce sweet vermouth, and 1 ounce Campari. Stir with ice and strain into a chilled glass.
You can garnish your Boulevardier with an orange twist or a cherry. Some bartenders prefer to use more whiskey, adjusting the ratio to 1.5 ounces of whiskey to 1 ounce each of vermouth and Campari.
This cocktail offers a balanced blend of bitter, sweet, and strong flavors. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy bold, spirit-forward drinks.
4. Jungle Bird
The Jungle Bird is a tropical cocktail that combines rum, Campari, pineapple juice, and lime juice. It was created in 1978 at the Aviary Bar in Kuala Lumpur.
To make a Jungle Bird, you’ll need dark rum, Campari, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Mix these ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Strain the drink into a glass filled with ice.
The Jungle Bird has a unique balance of sweet, bitter, and tropical flavors.
This cocktail stands out among other tropical drinks due to its use of Campari. It’s a great choice if you want to try something different from typical tiki cocktails.
5. Campari Spritz
The Campari Spritz is a refreshing Italian cocktail perfect for warm days. You’ll love its bright orange color and bittersweet taste.
To make one, fill a glass with ice.
Pour in Prosecco, Campari, and a splash of soda water. Stir gently to mix.
Garnish your drink with a slice of fresh orange. The citrus adds a nice aroma and complements the flavors.
This easy-to-make cocktail is great for parties or relaxing evenings. Its low alcohol content makes it a good choice for sipping slowly.
6. Garibaldi
The Garibaldi is a simple yet delicious Campari cocktail. It combines Campari with fresh orange juice for a refreshing drink.
To make a Garibaldi, you’ll need Campari and orange juice. Use freshly squeezed juice for the best flavor.
Mix one part Campari with three parts orange juice. Pour over ice in a tall glass. Stir gently to combine.
The Garibaldi gets its frothy texture from shaking the orange juice before mixing. This creates a light, airy drink.
You can garnish your Garibaldi with an orange slice if you like. It’s a perfect cocktail for brunch or as an aperitif.
7. Campari Orange
The Campari Orange is a simple yet tasty drink. It mixes Campari with fresh orange juice. This cocktail is easy to make at home.
You’ll need equal parts Campari and orange juice. Pour them over ice in a tall glass. Stir gently to mix the flavors.
For extra flair, add an orange slice as garnish. The drink’s bright color makes it fun for parties. It’s cool and refreshing on hot days.
The Campari Orange is less bitter than some other Campari drinks. The orange juice balances out Campari’s strong taste. It’s a good choice if you’re new to Campari cocktails.
8. Old Pal
The Old Pal is a classic cocktail that puts a spin on the Negroni. It swaps gin for rye whiskey, creating a spicier and more robust drink.
The recipe is simple: mix equal parts rye whiskey, Campari, and dry vermouth. Stir well with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lemon twist for a bright finish.
You can adjust the ratios to suit your taste. Some prefer a boozier version with more rye. For a smoky twist, try using mezcal instead of rye.
The Old Pal is perfect for those who enjoy strong, spirit-forward cocktails. Its bitter-sweet balance makes it a great choice for sipping before dinner.
9. Campari Shakerato
The Campari Shakerato is a simple yet refreshing cocktail that puts the spotlight on Campari. To make it, you’ll need just two ingredients: Campari and ice.
Fill a shaker with large ice chunks and add 90ml of Campari. Shake hard to chill and aerate the liquor. This creates a light, frothy texture.
Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass. For an extra smooth finish, you can fine-strain it through a mesh strainer.
The Shakerato method brings out Campari’s complex flavors while softening its bitterness. It’s perfect for Campari fans who want to enjoy the liqueur in a new way.
10. Campari Sour
The Campari Sour is a zesty twist on the classic sour cocktail. It blends the bitter notes of Campari with the tartness of lemon juice and the smoothness of egg white.
To make this drink, you’ll need Campari, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and an egg white. Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice to create a frothy texture.
The result is a bright, ruby-colored cocktail with a silky foam on top. It offers a perfect balance of bitter, sweet, and sour flavors that will wake up your taste buds.
This cocktail is great for those who find Campari too strong on its own. The sour elements help soften the bitterness while highlighting Campari’s complex flavors.
11. Campari Negroni Sbagliato
The Negroni Sbagliato is a bubbly twist on the classic Negroni. It swaps gin for prosecco, creating a lighter, fizzy drink.
Mix equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth in a glass filled with ice. Top it off with prosecco for a refreshing sparkle.
This cocktail was born from a happy accident in Milan during the 1970s. A bartender grabbed prosecco instead of gin, and a new favorite was born.
The Sbagliato is perfect for warm days or when you want something less strong than a regular Negroni. Its bright red color and effervescence make it visually appealing too.
12. Campari Paloma
The Campari Paloma puts a new spin on the classic Mexican cocktail. You’ll love this refreshing drink that mixes Campari with tequila and grapefruit soda.
To make it, combine 1 oz Campari, 1.5 oz tequila, and 3 oz grapefruit soda in a tall glass filled with ice. Give it a gentle stir and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
The bitterness of Campari balances nicely with the sweet-tart grapefruit flavor. It’s perfect for sipping on hot summer days or enjoying during happy hour.
13. Campari Mojito
The Campari Mojito puts a twist on the classic Cuban cocktail. You’ll mix Campari with white rum, fresh lime juice, and mint leaves.
Muddle mint leaves in a glass to release their oils. Add crushed ice, Campari, rum, and lime juice. Top with a splash of soda water for fizz.
This drink balances Campari’s bitterness with the sweetness of rum and the freshness of mint. It’s perfect for sipping on warm summer evenings.
You can adjust the sweetness by adding a bit of simple syrup if desired. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a lime wheel for a pretty presentation.
14. Campari and Soda
Campari and Soda is a simple yet refreshing cocktail. You’ll love its bitter-sweet taste and vibrant red color.
To make it, pour 2 ounces of Campari into a glass filled with ice. Top it off with soda water and give it a gentle stir.
This drink is perfect for warm summer days or as an appetizer before meals. Its low alcohol content makes it a great choice for sipping slowly.
You can garnish your Campari and Soda with a slice of orange or lemon for extra flavor. Try it at your next gathering – it’s sure to be a hit!
15. Campari Cosmopolitan
The Campari Cosmopolitan puts a twist on the classic cocktail. It swaps out cranberry juice for Campari, giving the drink a bolder flavor.
To make one, you’ll need vodka, Campari, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Shake these ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass.
The result is a vibrant red cocktail with a balance of sweet, bitter, and tart notes. It’s stronger than a regular Cosmo due to the Campari.
Garnish with an orange twist to complement the citrus flavors. This drink is perfect for those who enjoy Campari but want something different from a Negroni.
16. Campari Margarita
The Campari Margarita puts a bold twist on the classic cocktail. It blends tequila, Campari, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
To make one, mix 1.5 oz tequila, 1 oz Campari, 1 oz lime juice, and 0.5 oz triple sec in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.
The drink balances Campari’s bitterness with the tartness of lime and sweetness of orange. It’s bright red and perfect for summer sipping.
You can adjust the ratios to suit your taste. Add more tequila for extra kick or lime for more zest. Garnish with a lime wheel or orange slice.
History of Campari
Campari has a rich history spanning over 150 years. This iconic Italian liqueur has shaped cocktail culture and become a symbol of Italian aperitivo tradition.
Origin and Development
Gaspare Campari created Campari in 1860 in Novara, Italy. He made it by infusing herbs and fruit in alcohol and water. The recipe remains secret to this day.
Campari’s dark red color and bitter taste quickly gained popularity. In 1867, Gaspare opened the Caffè Campari in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This move helped spread Campari’s fame across Italy.
The company expanded production in the early 1900s. They built a factory in Sesto San Giovanni, near Milan. This allowed Campari to reach more customers in Italy and abroad.
Cultural Significance
Campari became a key part of Italian aperitivo culture. It’s often enjoyed before meals to stimulate appetite.
The brand’s success grew through smart marketing and artistic partnerships. Campari’s ads featured work by famous artists. This helped create a strong visual identity for the brand.
The company also sponsored cultural events and art exhibitions. Classic cocktails boosted Campari’s popularity. The Negroni, created in 1919, showcases Campari’s unique flavor.
The Americano and Campari Seltz also became favorites at bars worldwide. Today, Campari is part of the Campari Group. This company owns many other well-known spirits brands.
Campari continues to inspire bartenders and cocktail lovers around the globe.
Mixology Tips for Campari Cocktails
Mastering Campari cocktails requires attention to flavor balance and proper glassware. These tips will help you craft delicious drinks at home.
Balancing Flavors
Campari has a strong, bitter taste. Mix it with sweet or citrusy ingredients to create balance.
Try pairing Campari with sweet vermouth and gin in a Negroni. Or blend it with grapefruit juice for a fruity twist.
Don’t use too much Campari. Start with small amounts and adjust to taste. A little goes a long way.
Add a splash of soda water to lighten bitter cocktails. This works well in drinks like the Americano.
Experiment with different spirits. Bourbon can replace gin for a Boulevardier. Prosecco adds bubbles to a Campari spritz.
Glassware Selection
Choose the right glass to enhance your Campari cocktail.
Use rocks glasses for short drinks like Negronis. Their wide mouth lets you smell the drink’s aroma.
Tall glasses work best for fizzy Campari cocktails.
Try a Collins glass for an Americano or Campari and soda.
Serve Campari spritzes in large wine glasses. This shows off the drink’s color and lets you add lots of ice.
Chill your glasses before serving.
This keeps your cocktails cold longer. Simply put them in the freezer for a few minutes before use.