What is Campari?
Campari is an aperitif and cocktail ingredient, fairly common in classic cocktail recipes and equally delicious on its own. Perhaps best known for its characteristically bright red color, it tastes bitter and herbal and is still made in Italy, where it originates.
Who invented it?
Campari’s inventor, Gaspare Campari, spend two decades making bitter aperitifs of various recipes, eventually creating the recipe we recognize today as Campari.
While the exact recipe is kept as a closely-guarded secret, we know that Campari is made by infusing herbs and fruit in alcohol and water, and many suspect its predominantly bitter flavor comes from the “Chinotto” fruit – a fruit that resembles a small orange, but tastes sour and bitter. The distinctive red color was originally derived from Carmine Dye – a dye made from the ground up scales of cochineal insects.
A Brief History of Campari:
Sources include Wikipedia and Campari’s own website.
- ~1840: Gaspare Campari begins experimenting with making and selling bitter aperitifs around Italy
- 1860: Gaspari Campari perfects his Campari recipe
- Late 1860’s: Campari moved his family to Milan and opened the “Caffe Campari”, where some credit him with creating the world’s first cocktail: the Milano-Torino Cocktail, (later renamed “The Americano”.)
- 1880’s: Campari began working with local artists, appreciating the appeal of art in advertisements. This set the precedent for the next century.
- 1900’s: Meeting for an aperitif grew as a custom and resulted in many new cafe’s opening, as well as increased popularity and production of aperitifs like Campari
photo credit: # Propag 314 (license)
- 1904: Campari’s now historic “Sesto San Giovanni” production site was opened.
- 1919-1920: The now-famous Negroni cocktail is supposedly “invented” in Florence when a customer (Count Camillo Negroni) used to order his Americano cocktail with an extra shot of gin.
- 1920’s: Gaspare’s sons had taken over the company and decided to stop production of everything except Campari and another cordial.
- Late 1940’s: Campari re-starts production after World War II and kicks off a new advertising campaign with avant-garde artist Carlo Fisanotti.
- 2006: Pressure from Vegetarians and food-labelling groups for Campari to indicate its insect-derived dye on the label resulted in a change in recipe. Campari began using artificial dye to create its distinctive red color.
What does it taste like?
The Campari is notorious for being unique. Like many aperitifs, the recipe is proprietary and very few actually know what’s in it – which means there are no exact competitors. As for flavor:
- It starts sweet (but not overly so) and the sweetness drops away relatively quickly. It has a long, bitter finish.
- Dominant flavors of bitter orange and woody bitterness like gentian
- Herbal, earthy, bitter finish
Three Great Cocktails made with Campari:
This is about as classic as you can get – all three of the following cocktails have been around for decades and make good use of Campari’s beautiful color and unmistakeable flavor.
- Americano: One part Campari, one part Sweet Vermouth, and one part Soda water.
- The Negroni: Another “Perfect” cocktail where all ingredients are the same amounts. Use one ounce each of Gin, Campari and Sweet Vermouth.
- Campari Soda: Exactly what it sounds like – made of Campari and soda water.
Got Campari?
Do you still use Campari at your bar, despite the artificial coloring? Can you taste or see the difference? Myself – I try to avoid bugs in my diet, so I don’t particularly mind the change. What do you think?
just discovered your site/podcast/videos…love it. many thanks. We go back and forth on Campari, love some times, not so much others. Ive been making it with bullet rye, club soda, sweet vermouth and a orange garnish (just a squeeze of the orange as well). if and i dig it. thanks again. starting at ep01 on the podast.
Thanks Tony, that sounds tasty 🙂
I just discovered this blog today and I wanted to say thanks for all the work that you both put into your posts. It has been very interesting reading.
One of my favorite breakfast cocktails is the Spumoni: traditionally made with equal parts Campari, grapefruit juice, and tonic water.
Vi I have never heard of a Spumoni, that sounds delicious! Thank you for the suggestion, and I’m so glad you like the site!
Have you ever tried a Testa Rossa?
It’s similar to the Spumoni you describe, but not so sweet.
It also doesn’t require opening an entire bottle of champagne, which I suppose can be good or bad depending on one’s point of view.
It’s probably my favorite cocktail of all time.
Interesting. When looking it up, I see a few different variations. Campari, vodka, and either tonic or soda water? Are there any proportions that you favor?
Another interesting cocktail with campari is the Ramona Flowers that someone posted on Kindred cocktails, a pretty delicious mix of rye, campari, st. Germain, and a touch of creme de violette.
Dye is not good for the eye
Discovered Campari in Rome 35 years ago. On a recent transatlantic voyage several European friends introduced me to Campari and orange juice. It looks and tastes like pink grapefruit juice, but with a “kick”. Perfect for breakfast. 🙂
Now that’s something I haven’t tried! I’m always looking for the next great brunch cocktail – I will definitely give this a try!
i’m shocked that there was nothing mentioned of the spritz! Venice Italy is most popular date time sipping beverage. Made with either a dry white wine or Prosecco, Campari, Splash of soda and a twist on ice.The best!
Old Pal: 2 oz. rye, 1 oz. Campari, 1 oz. dry vermouth. Basically all the sweetness comes from the Campari. Love it.
My favourite drink, I discovered at an Italian pizza restaurant. I can’t remember the name, but it is Campari and Orange Pellegrino…delicious. My summer drink!