Drink Like An Italian: 10 Best Campari Cocktails

September 09, 2022 by

Looking for the best drinks with Campari to add to your cocktail lineup? Italy’s signature bitter aperitif brings bold colour, character, and centuries of cocktail culture to every glass. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting into bitter liqueurs, this roundup of classic and creative Campari cocktails will transport you straight to an Italian piazza. From time-honoured staples to modern mixes, these vibrant sips prove there’s a Campari cocktail for every kind of occasion.

What is Campari and what makes it unique?

Campari is a crimson-red Italian aperitif that stands out in many ways, from its intriguing history and origin story to its closely guarded secret recipe and timeless marketing. As a symbol of Italian culture and the cornerstone ingredient of the Negroni, it holds a distinctive place in the beverage world. Its global presence and unmatched flavour make it truly unique.

Boasting a richly complex flavour profile, Campari is distinguished by its herbaceous and unmistakable bitter notes. The flavour lingers on your palate as you drink it, evolving with each sip. What begins with a bold bitterness gradually unfolds into a symphony of delicate floral notes, creating a layered and sophisticated tasting experience that reveals new dimensions with every sip.

Aperitivo Hour Classics: Exploring Italy’s Best Cocktails & Recipes

Best Campari Cocktails to try

1. Negroni

For this recipe, you’ll need:

30 ml Campari

30 ml Bulldog Gin

30 ml Cinzano Vermouth Rosso

Best served in a rocks glass, garnished with an orange twist.

When a drink is not only on the IBA’s Unforgettables cocktail list but also celebrated globally for a whole week in September, it must be a much-loved cocktail! The Negroni is a spirit-forward sip poured with equal measures of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Curious what all the fuss is about? Dive in and discover why the world loves this iconic drink.

IT’S TIME TO SLOW DOWN

Olivia Cerio gets real about what Campari is really about: slowing down, sipping something good, and celebrating the small stuff.

Read all about it, here.

2. Garibaldi

For this recipe, you’ll need:

45 ml Campari

120 ml Freshly squeezed orange juice

Best served in a Collins glass, garnished with a wedge of orange.

This beautiful clinker is a nod to General Giuseppe Garibaldi, an instrumental chap in the unification of Italy. Figuratively speaking, this bittersweet drink celebrates the North and South as it’s made with northern-based Campari and southern Sicilian oranges, creating the perfect match.

3. Jungle Bird

For this recipe, you’ll need:

45 ml Appleton Estate Signature Jamaica rum

20 ml Campari

45 ml Fresh pineapple juice

15 ml Lime juice, freshly squeezed

15 ml Sugar syrup

Best served in a rocks glass, garnished with pineapple triangles and fronds.

The Jungle Bird is somewhat unexpected in this group of Campari cocktails. This sweet tiki-bar staple is a Malaysian national drink, developed by Jeffrey Ong for the opening of the (aptly named) Aviary Bar in the Kuala Lumpur Hilton. In this cocktail, Campari cuts through the sweetness of pineapple juice and rum, giving it a delicious depth of flavour.

4. Americano

For this recipe, you’ll need:

30 ml Campari

30 ml Bottega Cinzano 1757 Rosso Vermouth

30 ml Soda water

Best served in a rocks glass, garnished with an orange slice and lemon twist.

James Bond fans, this one is for you! The Americano was the very first cocktail ordered by the iconic spy in Ian Fleming’s novel Casino Royale. The Americano was first served in Gaspare Campari’s bar, way back in mid-1800s, and it still has the swagger of its time. Flavour-wise it’s a deeply complex cocktail that’s brightened with the effervescence of soda water, creating an ideal cocktail for sipping. Campari drink recipes don’t get any more classic than this.

5. Boulevardier

For this recipe, you’ll need:

40 ml Russell’s Reserve 10YR

30 ml Campari

30 ml Cinzano Vermouth Rosso

Best served in a rocks glass, garnished with an orange twist.

Wondering what to mix with Campari for some roaring twenties glamour? A Boulevardier cocktail is a Campari drink recipe from the famed Harry’s Bar—a popular spot that was once the toast of the town. It has a warming bourbon base with a little sweet Cinzano Vermouth Rosso and the bold bite of Campari to balance things out.

6. Old Pal

For this recipe, you’ll need:

30 ml Campari

30 ml Cinzano Vermouth Extra Dry

30 ml Wild Turkey 101 Rye

Best served in a chilled coupe glass, garnished with a lemon twist.

The Old Pal is one of the most interesting Italian aperitif drinks because it’s basically a mash-up of a Negroni and Boulevardier. It’s a complex spirit-forward cocktail, but the dry vermouth and lemon twist lend a palate-cleansing lightness to the more heavy-hitting rye and Campari.

7. Negroni Sbagliato

For this recipe, you’ll need:

30 ml Campari

30 ml 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso

Cinzano Prosecco D.O.C to top

Best served in a rocks glass, garnished with an orange slice.

In Italy “sbagliato” means “a mistake,” but if this cocktail is a mistake, we’re happy to be wrong! The story goes that Mirko Stocchetto (owner of Milan’s Bar Basso) poured this sparkly mistake in the 1970s. While pouring a classic Negroni, he accidentally reached for a bottle of Prosecco instead of gin. The rest is pop culture history, and today this Negroni variation is one of the most popular across the globe.

8. Rome with a View

For this recipe, you’ll need:

30 ml Campari

30 ml Cinzano Vermouth Bianco

30 ml Fresh lime juice

20 ml Sugar syrup

Soda water, to taste

Best served in a Collins glass, garnished with an orange wheel.

Created by Michael McIlroy, the gorgeous Rome with a View cocktail really shows off captures the charm of an Italian summer day with its bright and balanced flavours. It’s also Campari expert Olivia Cerio’s favourite aperitivo drink, so you know it’s gonna be good. Combining the zesty bite of lime, the smoothness of Cinzano Vermouth Bianco, and the unmistakable depth of Campari, this drink is perfect for those who appreciate a slightly bitter sip.

9. Campari Spritz

For this recipe, you’ll need:

75 ml Cinzano Prosecco D.O.C

45 ml Campari

30 ml Soda water

Best served in a wine glass with ice, garnished with an orange slice.

The Campari Spritz is another classic aperitivo, a symbol of Milanese style and sophistication. This vibrant red cocktail is a harmonious blend of bitter Campari, bubbly Prosecco, and a splash of soda water. Its bold flavour and striking appearance have made it a global sensation. Whether you’re sipping on a terrace overlooking a canal or enjoying a rooftop view, the Campari Spritz is the quintessential accompaniment to your golden hour.

Learn more: Campari Spritz (The Ultimate Aperitivo Drink for Your Next Celebration)

10. Campari Soda

For this recipe, you’ll need:

60 ml Campari

180 ml Soda water

Best served in a Collins glass over ice, garnished with an orange slice.

If you love your drinks simple, yet striking, a Campari Soda is the best no-fuss -sipper you could enjoy. Simply build the ingredients over ice in a tall glass and let the beautifully balanced notes of the aperitif shine alongside the zing of soda water. In a word: delightful.

Tips for mixing & hosting with Campari at home

Campari brings bold flavour to the table, but it also plays really well with others—when you mix it right. Here’s how to get the best out of this iconic aperitif at home.

Balance Campari’s bitterness in cocktails

Campari’s signature bitterness is what makes it special, but it can take some getting used to. The key is balance. Pair it with bright citrus (like orange or lime), rich ingredients (like sweet vermouth or pineapple juice), or a touch of sugar to smooth the edges. Start small, taste as you go, and tweak until you find the perfect balance.

Best spirits to pair with Campari

Campari loves company, especially when it’s gin, whiskey, rum, or vermouth.

Gin sharpens its edge (think Negroni)

Whiskey adds warmth and complexity (hello, Boulevardier)

Rum brings a round, tropical sweetness (Jungle Bird, anyone?)

Vermouth softens and rounds out the bitterness

Garnish ideas

Garnishes don’t just look good; they enhance aroma and flavour and add a little something special to each sip. Try:

A twist of orange peel to amplify citrus notes

A slice of grapefruit for a sharper, modern edge

Fresh herbs like rosemary or mint for a sensory surprise

Ideal glassware and serving temperatures

Campari drinks are usually served chilled, so ice is your best friend

Rocks glasses are great for bold, spirit-forward cocktails

Coupes work beautifully for stirred, up-style drinks

Wine or Collins glasses suit bubbly spritzes and tall builds

Aperitivo hour tips

Make your Campari cocktail part of a ritual. Aperitivo hour is all about easing into the evening, no rush, just good vibes and great snacks. We love pairing our bitter sips with tasty eats like:

Olive Ascolane (stuffed and deep-fried olives)

Cuoppo di terra (delicious fried vegetables)

Arancini (fried arborio rice balls with mozzarella, beef and peas)

Focaccia with chorizo (garlic pizza bread with smoked sausage)

Beef empanadas with a cheese dip

Meat or fish tacos

Whether you’re into iconic favourites or love trying bold new mixes, Campari is your ticket to both classic and adventurous cocktails. With just one bottle, you can shake up something timeless or totally unexpected. So, grab your shaker, trust your instincts, and start experimenting, the bitter magic of Campari is all yours to explore! Find more Campari cocktail recipes on The Mixer and don’t miss our insider guide to Negroni Week for even more inspiration. Salute to the spirit of Italy!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Campari is considered as an aperitif. Aperitif is meant to stimulate the appetite and wake up the digestive system before a meal. A digestif is a drink you enjoy after a meal, typically something more on the heavy side.

Everyone will highlight a different prominent flavour when sipping Campari. Predominantly, it’s citrusy with bittersweet orange and grapefruit flavours, as well as strong botanicals. It’s no surprise as Campari is rumoured to contain no less than 80 ingredients. Cherry and spice notes are also often picked up.

The best mixers for Campari cocktails are juices, soda water or tonic water. It’s pretty delicious with ginger ale too.

Campari’s ingredients are a closely guarded secret, but it’s a strong ABV aperitif and is made by infusing botanicals, fruits and herbs in alcohol. We can say no more!

That depends on your flavour mood. If you want to keep it classic, soda water is a top pick. It lets Campari’s bold flavour shine while adding a fizzy lift (think Campari Soda or Americano). For something with a bit more flair, try pairing Campari with Prosecco in a spritz, or mix it with orange juice for a Garibaldi. Looking for balance? Sweet vermouth, gin, or even rum play beautifully with Campari’s bitter edge.