Campari Cocktails 

Chances are you have stumbled across Campari before. If not, you need to get out more. Of course, I am just kidding, but seriously, go have some soon. Campari is an Italian bitter liqueur. Its distinct red color and bitter taste make it one of the most sold liqueurs in the world. Invented in 1860 by Gaspare Campari in Novara, Italy, Campari is flourishing in over 190 countries world wide 150 years later. It is only natural that with this many people imbibing Campari that there will be many ways to enjoy this wonderful apertif. In Italy, it is mostly served with soda water and is even sold separately on the market as Campari Soda. Campari mixes well with many things like fresh mint, fruit juices, gin, vodka, whiskey, vermouth and sparkling wine.

This post highlights some of my favorite and some of the more popular Campari cocktails. Cheers!

The 1794 Cocktail (also known as a Left Hand cocktail from PDT. Served with three cherries.)

I first enjoyed this cocktail at The Hawthorne, so I owe a great deal of thanks to them. I love Manhattan cocktails and this is very similar to the classic Manhattan. It has the sweet and spicy flavors from the rye, the bitters in Campari and sweet vermouth. This drink should be enjoyed as an apertif or after a long day at work.

• 2 oz Rye Whiskey
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• Dash Bittermen’s Xocolatl Mole Bitters (optional)

Combine all the ingredients into a shaker filled with iced and stir with a bar spoon. Strain into a Manhattan glass or a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or an orange peel.

Americano Cocktail

One of the most popular Campari cocktails, this drink is refreshing and perfect on a hot summer day. Whenever I have this drink, it reminds me of dining in Venice on the water (kind of like how Angelini Jolie and Johnny Depp did in the movie The Tourist).

• 1.5 oz Campari
• 1.5 oz Sweet Vermouth
• Soda Water

Build the drink up in a juice glass or an old-fashioned glass. Add ingredients, top with soda water. Garnish with an orange slice.

Campari Orange

This beautiful cocktail can be enjoyed during brunch or as an apertif. It’s a very simple, but tasty beverage. This cocktail has a sweet taste with a bitter finish.

• 1.5 oz Campari
• Fresh Orange Juice

Add Campari to a juice glass or a Collins glass filled with ice. Top with fresh orange juice. Garnish with an orange slice. 

Old Pal Cocktail (as seen in Love Potions)

One of my recent favorites, this cocktail is similar to the 1794 or the Boulevardier cocktail. When you are in the mood for a good cocktail, this is one to have.

From the PDT Cocktail Book…

• 2 oz Rye Whiskey
• 3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
• 3/4 oz Campari

Combine all ingredients in shaker over ice and stir.  Strain into a rocks glass. Lemon peel garnish optional.

Negroni Cocktail (Featured image)

• 1.5 oz Dry Gin
• 3/4 oz Campari
• 3/4 oz Sweet Vermouth

Combine all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake. Strain into a cocktail glass or a martini glass. Garnish with an orange peel. You can also enjoy this cocktail on the rocks in an old-fashioned glass. 

*Note: Recipe can also be made by using all equal parts of the ingredients. 

Shake ingredients vigorously and serve in a rocks glass. Add a splash of sparkling wine. Garnish with a flamed orange rind (hold a flame to an orange peel for a few seconds until it flashes). Source.

Boulevardier Cocktail (not shown)

• 1 oz Bourbon Whiskey
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
• 1 oz Campari

Combine ingredients and stir until very cold; strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Tailspin (not shown and is a Bijou cocktail with a Campari glass rinse)

• ¾ oz Dry Gin
• ¾ oz sweet vermouth
• ¾ oz Green Chartreuse
• 1/4 oz or dash of Campari

Chill your glass. Add Campari to glass and swirl around in the glass. Empty or keep extra. Stir ingredients well with ice and strain in to a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and cherry.

For more cocktails, visit the Campari site.

What is your favorite Campari cocktail?

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