Drink Like an Italian: 10 Campari Cocktails to Try for an Italian Escape

September 09, 2022 by

Looking for the best drinks with Campari to add to your cocktail lineup? Italy’s signature bitter aperitif brings bold color, 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-honored 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 flavor make it truly unique.

Boasting a richly complex flavor profile, Campari is distinguished by its herbaceous and unmistakable bitter notes. The flavor 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:

1 oz Campari

1 oz Bulldog Gin

1 oz 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 liquor-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. Get the full Negroni recipe here.

EXPERT NEGRONI SWAPS

Think you know Negronis? Think again. Campari Expert Olivia Cerio walks us through her fave spins—including a mezcal twist you’ll want to try ASAP.

Read all about it, here.

2. Garibaldi

For this recipe, you’ll need:

1.5 oz Campari

4 oz 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. Here’s the recipe!

3. Jungle Bird

For this recipe, you’ll need:

1.5 oz Appleton Estate Signature Jamaica rum

0.75 oz Campari

1.5 oz Fresh pineapple juice

0.5 oz Lime juice, freshly squeezed

0.5 oz Simple 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, adding a delicious layer of depth and balance. Here’s how you make it.

4. Americano

For this recipe, you’ll need:

1 oz Campari

1 oz Bottega Cinzano 1757 Rosso Vermouth

1 oz Club soda

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

James Bond fans, this one’s 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 the mid-1800s, and it still has the swagger of its time. Flavor-wise it’s a deeply complex cocktail that’s brightened with the effervescence of club soda, creating the ideal cocktail for sipping. Campari drink recipes don’t get any more classic than this. Get the recipe, here.

5. Boulevardier

For this recipe, you’ll need:

1.25 oz Russell’s Reserve 10YR

1 oz Campari

1 oz 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. Here’s the recipe!

6. Old Pal

For this recipe, you’ll need:

1 oz Campari

1 oz Cinzano Vermouth Extra Dry

1 oz 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. Find the full recipe here.

7. Negroni Sbagliato

For this recipe, you’ll need:

1 oz Campari

1 oz 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso

Cinzano Prosecco D.O.C to top

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

In Italian, “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) first 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. Feeling inspired? Find the full recipe, here.

8. Rome with a View

For this recipe, you’ll need:

1 oz Campari

1 oz Cinzano Vermouth Bianco

1 oz Fresh lime juice

0.75 oz Simple syrup

Club soda, 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 the charm of an Italian summer day thanks to its bright and balanced flavors. It’s also Campari expert Olivia Cerio’s favorite 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. Here’s how you make it.

9. Campari Spritz

For this recipe, you’ll need:

2.5 oz Cinzano Prosecco D.O.C

1.5 oz Campari

1 oz Club soda

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

The Campari Spritz is synonymous with Milanese style and sophistication. This vibrant red cocktail is a harmonious blend of bitter Campari, bubbly Prosecco, and a splash of club soda. Its bold flavor 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. Find the full recipe here.

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

10. Campari Soda

For this recipe, you’ll need:

2 oz Campari

6 oz Club soda

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 club soda. In a word: delightful.

Tips for mixing & hosting with Campari at home

Campari brings bold flavor to the table, but it also plays well with others when mixed 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 he 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 flavor 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 favorites 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!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Wondering what to make with Campari? You’ll see from our list, Campari mixes beautifully with sweet and fruity flavors. Aficionados say, to capture all the quintessential bitter flavors of Campari, you should pour Campari and soda in a 1:2 ratio with ice and a twist of orange. However, here at The Mixer, we like to have a little more fun, so try mixing it with rum, whiskey or tequila for the best campari cocktails. Experience all la dolce vita.

I’m sure there are some folks who enjoy the lip-smackingly bitter qualities of Campari on the rocks, but Campari cocktails are best mixed with a few things to bring out their best citrusy qualities.

Although both these aperitifs are brightly colored and hail from Italy, they are quite different. Aperol is neon orange and Campari a crimson red. Aperol has lower ABVs at about the same as wine and is softer and sweeter. Campari, famously known as a bitter aperitif, adds the much needed balance to the sweeter cocktails. It’s a much stronger spirit of about 20-28% ABV. Both are utterly delicious.

Campari doesn’t need to be refrigerated and, once opened, it can be stored for up to 2 years at room temperature.

That depends on your flavor mood. If you want to keep it classic, club soda is a top pick. It lets Campari’s bold flavor 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.