{"id":9651,"date":"2024-09-20T13:26:59","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T12:26:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.themixer.com\/en-uk\/?p=9651"},"modified":"2025-09-05T15:18:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T14:18:12","slug":"campari-spritz-aperitivo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themixer.com\/en-uk\/learn\/campari-spritz-aperitivo\/","title":{"rendered":"Campari Spritz: Aperitivo Hour, Culture and Tradition"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you think of an aperitivo, your mind probably takes you to that after-work-before-dinner drink space. The one where you meet up with friends and enjoy some leisurely cocktails and snacks before heading home for the evening. And while it is <\/span>all<\/span><\/i> of these things, aperitivo culture is <\/span>so<\/span><\/i> much more than that\u2014and <\/span>no one<\/span><\/i> does it better than the people from the vibrant Italian city of Milan. In fact, they love it so much that this after-work moment has been deeply ingrained in their daily lives for centuries.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While there are many drinks that you can mix up for an aperitivo hour at home, the one staple you should always have on hand is a bottle of Campari. This iconic <\/span>deep red<\/span> liqueur is one of the reasons aperitivos even exist at all, and is the main ingredient in the <\/span>Campari Spritz, a popular aperitivo<\/span> enjoyed in bars and caf\u00e9s across Milan every day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Join us as we look at Milanese aperitivo, the history of Campari, and explore modern aperitivo culture today.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The origins of Milanese aperitivo culture<\/h2>\n

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A quick history of Milanese aperitivo<\/h3>\n

Popular theory suggests that the ritual of aperitivo drinks was inspired by ancient Roman customs, where they would drink a light bitter beverage before a meal to get their appetites going and to aid digestion. But how does it work? The answer dates back to the 5<\/span>th<\/span> century, when Greek physician Hippocrates conducted multiple studies and figured out that <\/span>bitter flavours<\/span> stimulated hunger in his patients. This drink was a mixture of white wine, dictam flowers, wormwood and rue. The recipe was passed down through the centuries and eventually modernised.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Milan\u2019s aperitivo tradition is influenced by its culture of high fashion and innovation, as well as by its unique architecture. Their aperitif of choice is Campari, which was created by Gaspare Campari way back in 1860, while in Padova it\u2019s Aperol, invented in 1919.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It must be mentioned that one of the biggest moments for aperitivo in Milan was the invention of Campari, which led to the <\/span>Campari Spritz recipe,<\/span> and later to many other iconic <\/span>Campari cocktails<\/span> found on aperitivo menus across the world today. This iconic bitter red liqueur soon became the essence of this Milanese tradition, whetting appetites all over the city.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the past, aperitivo was just a matter of drinks and food, but over the years, it evolved into so much more than that\u2014it became a ritual of socialising and a moment to share together at sunset, before carrying on with the busyness of life. <\/span><\/p>\n

Read next:<\/span><\/b> 9 Spritz Cocktails to Enjoy this Summer<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The ritual of socialising<\/h2>\n

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If you ever find yourself in Milan, one of the first things you should do is find somewhere to go for a traditional aperitivo to experience the city at its best. Why? Well, because the colourful people of Milan have been doing it since the 19th century, and the ritual of aperitivo is deeply rooted in their lifestyle and culture. And, as they say, when in Rome (or, in this case, Milan), do as the locals do.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Each city has its own aperitivo style, with unique drinks and snacks, and Milan is no different. Chances are you\u2019ll be sipping on a Campari Spritz and enjoying finger foods at around 7 p.m., while if you were in Venice, you\u2019d be more likely to be drinking an <\/span>Aperol<\/span><\/a> Spritz<\/span> and snacking on cicchetti at 5 p.m. But no matter the differences in drink and food pairings, one thing remains universal: This should be a moment to slow down and share the joy of being together.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Top tip:<\/b> Be sure to swing by the Camparino in Galleria in the heart of Milan for one of the best and most authentic aperitivo hours you\u2019ll ever experience.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Discover next:<\/span><\/b> Aperitivo Hour in Italy<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Introducing Campari: a bitter icon<\/h2>\n

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So, what do we know about <\/span>Campari<\/span><\/a> by now? We know that it was created in Milan, that it\u2019s enjoyed as an aperitif and that it\u2019s at the heart of some of <\/span>the world\u2019s most popular cocktails. <\/span>But we haven\u2019t really talked about one of the most important things yet, and that is taste, so let\u2019s cover that quickly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The aroma is wonderfully complex, and has herbal, orange, and floral notes. The flavour is bitter (but in the most pleasant way), and it\u2019s got a velvety aftertaste, with intense hints of orange, herbs, and wood.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Doesn\u2019t that sound delicious? And intriguing? And like you need to try it? Well, you should, because believe it or not, the original recipe for Campari hasn\u2019t changed since its invention in 1860, and it\u2019s as popular today as it was back then.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

History snapshot<\/h3>\n

Speaking of 1860, here\u2019s a quick timeline of Campari\u2019s early history.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n