This bittersweet Garibaldi cocktail recipe is a tribute to the 1871 unification of Italy, in which General Giuseppe Garibaldi was a key figure. This Italian cocktail celebrates the joining forces of Campari from the north with the Sicilian oranges from the south to create a deliciously sweet cocktail that you’ll want to make time and time again. The ingredients are unbelievably simple, with only two things to remember – freshly squeezed orange juice and bitter Campari.
Garibaldi Cocktail Recipe
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
1.
Add the orange juice to a blender and blitz for 1-2 minutes until it is frothy
02
2.
Fill a highball glass with ice, pour over the Campari and top up with orange juice
03
3.
Stir gently and finish with a wedge of orange on the rim to serve
How to make fluffy orange juice
Whipping the orange juice is an absolute must so that it becomes almost creamy in texture with a smooth and foamy top that works to balance out the bitter notes of the Campari. Making fluffy orange juice could not be easier: blitz the juice for a minute or two in a blender until foamy and fluffy, and there you have it! You can also use a milk frother or a handheld whisk to achieve the creamy frothy layer. To DIY it, vigorously shake your juice in a mason jar with enough head space on top so the foam has room to form.
Step it up
As this cocktail is an easy pour, why not upgrade it and extra orange garnish? Either add plenty of thin slices of orange and serve them in the glass. Or for extra fun, freeze orange juice in cubes for extra texture and colour.
Genius recipe substitutions and variations
Freshly squeezed juice is vital when making this cocktail, but you can mix things up and give the Garibaldi recipe a sweeter twist by opting for satsuma or clementine juice. For something a little more dramatic, try blood orange juice instead (it’s a perfect cocktail for Halloween, too!). Just be sure to check that the sweetness of the juice is on par with the orange to balance well with the Campari. If you prefer a mocktail, make a Garibaldi Zero, leaving out the Campari and adding a dash of bitter syrup instead.
For more inspiration, check out all the other Italian cocktails we love.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A firm favourite among simple two-ingredient serves, this bright and citrussy drink is made for alfresco summer moments — think garden parties and housewarmings. Its crisp, light mouthfeel makes it an easy-drinking aperitif to enjoy before dinner. For a spooky Halloween twist, swap in blood orange juice for a perfectly eerie, blood-red look.
The exact ingredients of Campari have been a closely guarded secret since its creation in the 1860s. What we do know is that it’s a liqueur infused with a blend of herbs and fruits, giving it that iconic, beautifully balanced bitterness. It carries herbal notes with hints of orange and rhubarb, and is traditionally enjoyed neat as an aperitif to stimulate the appetite before dinner.
