Campari
The bright red Italian bitter that gives the Negroni and Americano their color and bite. Everything you need to know about its alcohol percentage, flavor, cocktails and the right glass.
A secret recipe from 1860
Campari was created in 1860 by Gaspare Campari in Novara, in northern Italy. When he opened his café in Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, the bitter quickly became the city's aperitif. The recipe has never been made public: it's an infusion of herbs, roots and fruit in alcohol and water, with bitter orange and rhubarb being the most recognizable flavors.
Until 2006, its bright red color came from carmine, a dye made from cochineal insects; since then, an artificial colorant has been used. The alcohol percentage varies by country, but in the Netherlands Campari is 25%. That is much higher than Aperol at 11%, which explains why Campari makes for a much stronger spritz and can take center stage in a Negroni.
In brief
Campari and other bitter aperitifs
Campari comes in two sizes. The other bottles below play the same role in a spritz, but are sweeter and lower in alcohol.
Campari
The standard bottle. Boldly bitter, with orange peel and rhubarb, and a sweet core underneath. The basis of the Negroni and Americano.
Campari 1 liter
The same bitter in a one-liter bottle. Handy if you regularly make Negronis: each glass takes 3 cl.
Aperol
A lighter, orange sibling of Campari from the same parent company. Sweeter, less bitter and much more approachable at 11%.
Select Aperitivo
The Venetian aperitivo from 1920, and the go-to choice for a spritz there. In terms of bitterness, it falls exactly between Aperol and Campari.
Torriani Aperitivo
A more affordable aperitivo in the same style as Aperol, at 11%. Great for a pitcher of spritz at a birthday party.
Choose Campari when you want real bitterness; Aperol or Select when you want a lighter spritz.
Bitter orange with a sweet core
Orange peel & herbs
Bitter orange peel up front, with herbs, roots and a medicinal edge. Smells like an aperitif right away.
Intensely bitter
Distinctly bitter, with rhubarb and orange peel, underpinned by a sweet core that holds it all together. First-time tasters are often taken aback.
Long, dry and bitter
A long, dry, bitter finish that cleanses the palate. Exactly what an aperitif is meant to do: whet your appetite.
Campari’s flavor profile. Aperol is much sweeter and far less bitter; Select falls between the two in bitterness.
Three ways to drink Campari
You almost never drink Campari neat: it’s made for mixing. These three are the classics, from light to robust.
Like a Campari Spritz
6 cl Campari, 9 cl prosecco and a splash of sparkling water over plenty of ice in a large wine glass, with an orange slice. Stronger and more bitter than an Aperol Spritz, and therefore much less sweet.
Spritz recipe →Like an Americano
3 cl Campari and 3 cl red vermouth in a highball glass full of ice, topped with sparkling water and an orange peel. The oldest Campari cocktail there is, and at 3 cl per glass, light enough for the afternoon.
Americano recipe →Like a Negroni
3 cl Campari, 3 cl gin and 3 cl red vermouth stirred with ice and served over a large ice cube, with an orange peel. Equal parts, stir for thirty seconds, done. Bitter, spicy and robust.
Negroni recipe →The best cocktails with Campari
Negroni
Equal parts gin, Campari and red vermouth. Three ingredients, no excuses.
Americano
Campari, red vermouth and sparkling water. The original form of the Negroni, and lighter.
Boulevardier
Negroni with bourbon instead of gin. Warmer and rounder, ideal for winter.
Negroni Sbagliato
Negroni with prosecco instead of gin. Created by accident, and here to stay.The right glass for Campari
A heavy tumbler for the Negroni, a large balloon glass for the spritz, and a highball glass for the Americano. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about Campari
Didn't find your question here? Browse our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
To the cocktail recipes →What is the alcohol content of Campari?
What is the difference between Campari and Aperol?
What does Campari taste like?
Why is Campari so red?
How do you make a Negroni?
Can you drink Campari neat?
Buy Campari
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Campari online from Gall & Gall.
Prices as of November 3, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. You can see the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; it costs you nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
