Cocktails with Campari
Campari is a vibrant red Italian bitter liqueur, the essential ingredient in Negronis and Americanos. Its intensely bitter, complex flavor is unmistakable.
No Campari? What to use instead
- Type
- Liqueur
- Strength
- 24–25% ABV
- Aroma
- Bitter orange, Cherry, Herbs, Spice
- Taste
- Intensely bitter, Orange peel, Herbal, Sweet undertones
- Finish
- Long, Bitter, Warming, Complex
20 drinks with Campari
- AgavoniTequila, Sweet Vermouth, Orange Bitters
- AmericanoSweet Vermouth, Soda Water
- Bitter Mai TaiDark Rum, Triple Sec, Lime Juice
- BoulevardierBourbon, Sweet Vermouth
- CardinaleGin, Dry Vermouth
- Eeyore's RequiemBianco Vermouth, Gin, Cynar
- EnzoniGin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup
- GaribaldiOrange Juice
- Grapefruit NegroniGin, Sweet Vermouth, Grapefruit Juice
- JasmineGin, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice
- Jungle BirdDark Rum, Pineapple Juice, Lime Juice
- Kingston NegroniOverproof Rum, Sweet Vermouth
- Mezcal NegroniMezcal, Sweet Vermouth
- Milano-TorinoSweet Vermouth
- NegroniGin, Sweet Vermouth
- Negroni SbagliatoSweet Vermouth, Prosecco
- Negroni SlushGin, Sweet Vermouth, Orange Juice
- Old PalRye Whiskey, Dry Vermouth
- RositaTequila Reposado, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth
- SiestaTequila, Lime Juice, Grapefruit Juice
History
Campari was created in 1860 by Gaspare Campari in Novara, Italy, and perfected at his bar in Milan. The secret recipe contains over 60 ingredients. Its distinctive red color originally came from carmine; since 2006, it uses artificial coloring. Campari remains family-owned and produced only in Italy.
How it’s made
Made by macerating herbs, spices, fruit, and bark in alcohol and water. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, known to involve bitter orange, rhubarb, ginseng, and various aromatic herbs. The maceration liquid is filtered and sweetened before bottling.
Bottles to try
CampariMid-range
The original and only true Campari. Intense, complex bitterness with citrus and herbal depth.
Select AperitivoMid-range
Venetian alternative to Campari, slightly less bitter with more pronounced citrus notes.
Contratto BitterPremium
Premium Italian bitter using natural coloring and traditional botanicals for a refined character.
Got Campari at home?
Add it to your bar in Proof and see every drink you can make with the bottles you already have.