With Campari, you can create some gorgeous cocktails that will wow your guests. And you may even find yourself with some new favorites, too. We love classic Campari cocktails, and it’s fun to try some of the newer cocktail recipes that have surfaced in recent years. Who’s ready for a Campari spritz?
A Campari recipe can be something as simple as Campari soda (Campari and club soda). On the other hand, a complex Campari cocktail such as the Boulevardier or the Negroni may be more to your taste.
Campari cocktails can be dark and mysterious, like the Negroni Sbagliato, or a Campari mixed drink can be sweet and refreshing like the Bicicletta. Whatever you like in a cocktail, there’s a Campari cocktail recipe for you on this list.
Campari cocktails have long been a staple in the world of mixology, offering a delightful balance of bitter and sweet flavors that can tantalize your taste buds. Originating in Italy, the vibrant red aperitif has been enjoyed since the 19th century and has gradually become an essential ingredient in many classic and contemporary cocktails. As you dive into the Campari universe, you’ll quickly discover a variety of ways to enjoy this bitter-sweet elixir.
The bittersweet liqueur is made from a unique blend of herbs, fruits, and spices, resulting in its distinct and captivating flavor profile. While many might initially find Campari’s taste to be intense, it readily lends itself to creative and refreshing cocktails that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or a casual home bartender looking to expand your repertoire, exploring Campari cocktails is a journey worth embarking on.
From the iconic Negroni to the refreshing Americano or the zesty Jungle Bird, countless beverage recipes spotlight Campari and its versatility. By experimenting with different variations and ingredients, you’ll undoubtedly find a cocktail that suits your palate and showcases the beauty of this unique aperitif. So, grab a bottle of Campari and a mixing glass, and let the adventure begin.
Essentially, Campari is a bitter aperitif (amaro) from Italy, but this complex drink is an Italian aperitivo that is much more. At the end of this article, we have some information about what Campari is exactly and how to drink Campari.
Are you ready to explore Campari drink recipes? Let’s dive into this comprehensive list of Campari cocktail recipes.
A list of Campari cocktails would be incomplete without the famous classic Negroni.
This jewel-toned drink is both sweet and bitter in flavor, and it’s the perfect classic cocktail to serve to guests who are accustomed to a more sophisticated cocktail experience.
According to legend, the Negroni was created in Florence, Italy by Count Negroni in the 1920s. Apparently, the Count wanted an Americano cocktail that had a bit more of a kick to it.
For the classic Negroni, you need good gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Mix the ingredients into a glass with ice cubes and stir until they’re super cold.
Garnish your rocks glass with an orange peel or lemon peel.
Do you like a Negroni cocktail but want something bubbly? Try the Negroni Sbagliato, a spin on a classic that uses sparkling wine in place of dry gin.
To make this Campari cocktail, use sweet vermouth or red semi-sweet vermouth. You also need champagne, Prosecco, or another sparkling wine.
What is sweet vermouth? Sweet vermouth is used in several classic cocktails, including the Manhattan and the Negroni. Sweet vermouth is also perfect in the Negroni Sbagliato.
Serve in a rocks glass, a mixing glass, or a chilled cocktail glass with ice cubes. Garnish this cocktail with an orange peel.
Campari can be bitter, but that’s not a problem with most Campari cocktails because of the drink mixers you use to make them.
For the Campari Spritz, you need Prosecco or sparkling wine. The bubbles from the Prosecco make this drink totally delightful.
You also need club soda (soda water) to make the Campari Spritz.
Do you fancy an Aperol Spritz? That’s great! Make it exactly like the Campari Spritz, but use Aperol instead of Campari.
Put the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and stir well. Serve your Campari Spritz in a rocks glass with ice cubes and garnish the glass with an orange slice or lemon slice.
We love a tropical drink, and the Jungle Bird cocktail gives us another excuse to use our bottle of bitter Campari.
The bitter Campari in the Jungle Bird is perfectly offset by sweet pineapple juice, and the result is a remarkably refreshing and balanced drink.
It’s rare to find a rum drink that pairs fruity flavor with an Italian bitter, but it totally works in the Jungle Bird.
The Jungle Bird hits all of the notes: tart, bitter, sweet, and fruity.
Make the Jungle Bird with dark rum, pineapple juice, Campari, 1 ounce of fresh lime juice, and Amaretto (or other almond liqueur). You can also use gin instead of rum if you want.
Serve over ice cubes in a cocktail glass or mixing glass. Garnish the Jungle Bird with cherry, lime wedge, and a pineapple slice.
Although it has just three simple ingredients, the Boulevardier cocktail is a stunning masterpiece in a glass.
This Campari cocktail was created sometime in the 1920s, and most experts believe that it originated at the famous Paris, France bar called Harry’s New York Bar.
At that time, there was an American writer named Erskine Gwynne living in Paris, and he founded a magazine called the Boulevardier.
For the Boulevardier cocktail, you need sweet vermouth, Campari, and bourbon whiskey (or rye whiskey).
The Garibaldi cocktail is named after an Italian general named Giuseppe Garibaldi, who helped to unify Italy in 1871.
The Garibaldi is a beloved cocktail that’s served frequently at New York City’s Dante bar.
To make the Garibaldi, all you need is Campari and fresh orange juice. You can also use blood orange juice for an even more dramatic statement.
The secret to getting this drink perfect is to whisk the orange juice until it’s frothy and foamy. Add the Campari to a highball glass that is full of ice cubes, and then top it off with the orange juice.
With the Siesta cocktail, you get the combination of Campari, tequila, and citrus flavors.
This Campari cocktail has a hint of bitter but a delightfully sweet and tart body.
The Siesta cocktail is a bitter cocktail that was invented in New York by a bartender named Katie Stipe in 2006.
With the Siesta cocktail, you get just enough bitter taste to lure you in, but the sweetness of the fresh grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and fresh lime juice balances it all out perfectly.
You can make your own simple syrup or use some that you buy at the liquor store.
Mix all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously. Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass with a salted rim. Garnish this Campari cocktail with a grapefruit twist and a wedge of lime.
Do you like cocktails that use wine? We love a good wine cocktail almost as much as we enjoy our glass of red wine after dinner.
The Bicicletta cocktail is a classic Campari cocktail that combines Campari with sparkling water (or club soda) and dry white wine.
What type of dry white wine should you use to make the Bicicletta cocktail? Choose a white wine that you would normally enjoy outside of cocktails.
Two good white wine examples for the Bicicletta cocktail are sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio. Above all, you don’t need expensive white wine to make this Campari cocktail, but a Bicicletta has at least 4 ounces of wine, so it should be a wine you like.
Serve your Bicicletta cocktail in a cocktail glass with fresh ice and garnish with orange slices.
What Is Campari Liqueur?
Campari was invented in the 1860s in Italy by a man named Gaspare Campari. Campari quickly spawned such famous and beloved cocktails as the Americano drink and the Negroni drink. The flavor of Campari is herbaceous, bittersweet, and nuanced, all at the same time.
Initially, Campari was intended to be an aperitif cocktail. An aperitif cocktail is supposed to stimulate one’s appetite before dining. With Campari cocktails, you get an aperitif with a taste and flavor that is fruity, bitter, and spicy. The bitterness isn’t very noticeable, thanks to the taste of the fruit flavors.
What is Campari made of? The Campari recipe is top secret, but Campari is infused with various fruits and herbs. When you taste Campari cocktails, you may notice notes of clove, cherry, orange peel, and cinnamon. Also, Campari is 48 proof, so it has a high alcohol content.
Here is something that’s not commonly known. Originally, Campari was colored super bright red because the dye used to color it was made from crushed insects. Needless to say, Campari is no longer made using crushed bugs, so don’t let that fun little fact deter you from enjoying Campari.
How about a bonus Campari drink? Check out the video below to learn how to make one of our favorite Campari recipes, a Strawberry Fields Cocktail with Campari and tequila.
Our Best Campari Cocktails (+Jungle Bird)
These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
