This Campari Spritz recipe is quick and easy to make, with just 3 ingredients. It’s a refreshing classic Italian cocktail that’s bubbly and bittersweet, and outrageously gorgeous!
While visiting Milan earlier this year, I enjoyed my first Campari Spritz. Maybe it was the FANTASTIC Milan Cathedral and its grand piazza just across the street, or the happy Italian chatter and deliciousness all around me, but I was in a very happy place – and this classic Italian cocktail hit me just right. I just had to bring this Italian tradition home to Minnesota, no ifs, ands, or buts. I do hope you’ll join me – grab some Campari liqueur, Prosecco, and bubbly water…let’s go!
Why I ❤️ This Cocktail
I like to enjoy this cocktail with the classic ratio of ingredients, to fully embrace its refreshing, bitter-sweet flavor. But I fully realize that it can be a little too bitter for some. So if you’re one of those people, please don’t give up on this cocktail just yet, because I have options for you – just scroll down to the Variations section. Here’s why I like this drink:
- Super refreshing. This cocktail is on the lighter, drier side. Plus, it has bubbles! Campari is noticeably bitter on its own, and when combined with a dry Prosecco, this drink is not “sweet”. But of course, you can add some sweetness if you like – see the Variations section. Another bubbly Campari drink is the Americano cocktail!
- Simple, yet gorgeous. You only need 3 ingredients for this eye-catching drink. And there’s no cocktail shaker involved. A tip is to keep small bottles of Prosecco on hand, so you don’t have to open a full bottle if you want to make just a couple drinks.
- Takes me right back to Italy. That trip was a dream-come-true. So whenever I make this Campari drink I’m transported right back to the time I spent with my family in Milan.
Italy is famous for their aperitivo tradition – a ritual of relaxing with friends before dinner, with a drink and small snacks. When we traveled from Rome to Florence to Milan, it was obvious that Italian wine and a pretty, bubbly spritz were the most common aperitivo drinks.
What Is a Campari Spritz?
But first. What is Campari?! Campari is a bitter-sweet (heavier on the bitter!) Italian liqueur with a very unique, complex flavor. And it’s the star of the Campari spritz cocktail.
Besides Campari, the only other ingredients in a Campari spritz are sparkling Prosecco and a splash of club soda. The drink is most commonly garnished with a fresh orange slice, but you might also find it served with an olive or two.
And while we were in Milan, the Campari spritz took center stage – because that’s where Campari was born. I enjoyed a Campari spritz at Camparino in Galleria, the 1915 Milanese bar that helped Campari explode in popularity.
Campari Spritz vs Aperol Spritz
A Campari spritz is very similar to an Aperol spritz with one very obvious difference: it’s made with Campari rather than Aperol. Otherwise they both include Prosecco and club soda in the same ratios, are prepared in the same fashion, and traditionally served in the same style glass, a large stemmed wine glass. (Although I like to serve spritzes in stemless wine glasses when we’re entertaining on our backyard patio!)
In thinking about Campari vs Aperol, both of these famous Italian amaros (bitter liqueurs) originated and are very popular in Italy. And just look at how popular Aperol has become in the US, now beating out the margarita!
The main difference is in the flavor and alcohol content:
- Aperol has a softer, slightly sweeter flavor, with an alcohol content of 11% alcohol by volume (ABV). Aperol online describes it as “Pleasantly bittersweet. Velvety and rounded. Intensely orange with herbal notes, with a touch of vanilla”.
- Campari, while possessing the same sugar content as Aperol, has a more astringent, bitter flavor. Campari online describes it as “Pleasantly bitter with a velvety aftertaste. Intense notes of orange, herbs and wood.” Its alcohol content is roughly two times that of Aperol – varying from 24-28.5%, depending on the country of sale. The bottle in our cabinet here in Minnesota reads 24%.
Spritz Ingredients
Here’s the simple ingredients list for this Italian cocktail recipe. Find the exact ingredient amounts in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Prosecco – Use a well-chilled, dry Prosecco (Italian sparkling wine).
- Campari – This is the cocktail’s namesake, a vibrant red Italian liqueur that adds bitter, orange, herbal flavor.
- Club soda – This adds a bit more effervescence, and lightens up the overall body of the drink.
- Orange – A fresh, juicy orange slice is my favorite way to garnish this drink.
How To Make a Campari Spritz
Making the perfect Campari Spritz is as easy as 3-2-1. That’s a ratio of 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Campari, and 1 part soda water – super easy to remember! Simply pour the three ingredients into an ice-filled glass, garnish, and sip! Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.
- Start with the Prosecco. Pour the Prosecco over ice in a stemmed wine glass (or go stemless!).
- Add Campari. Now pour in the Campari.
- Top off. Finish with club soda. Give the drink a quick, gentle stir if desired.
- Garnish. Then tuck a big, juicy orange slice into the drink.
Tips, Variations & Serving Suggestions
- Use a wine glass. A Campari Spritz cocktail is traditionally served in a large stemmed wine glass. However, you can serve this drink in any type of glass you wish – it won’t affect the taste. When we’re entertaining outside in the summer I prefer to use stemless wine glasses.
- Chill out. You’ll see in the recipe card that I call for chilled Prosecco and club soda. Even though you’ll serve the drink over ice it helps to keep these ingredients cold so that the final drink is ultra refreshing.
- Add an olive. As noted, you’ll often find a Campari spritz served with a garnish of olives for a complementary bitter, pickled note. You can serve the drink with a cocktail skewer of pitted olive(s), or place a dish of olives on the table for nibbling.
- Go less bitter. I have some options to make this drink less bitter. Squeeze in some fresh orange juice – super lovely. You could also use a sweeter Prosecco or other sparkling wine. And you can add carbonated drinks such as Poppi “orange” – this is something Hatti saw on TikTok, and it’s good! Or just add some simple syrup.
- Lighten up. To lighten up the overall alcohol content, simply use less Campari. Or serve the drink in a larger glass and add a larger quantity of club soda (or Poppi, as mentioned above!).
- Stay true to aperitivo tradition. Our experience was that the Italians keep the nibbles very simple, often just little bowls of nuts, olives, crackers, etc.
- With cheese & charcuterie. But if you’re looking for heartier bites, grab a crusty loaf of Italian bread, Italian cheeses, and a selection of charcuterie such as salami and prosciutto. Keep the Italian theme going strong! I also have lots of appetizers to choose from.
- Offer other Italian cocktails. A Campari spritz is not for everyone, so I like to offer other spritz recipe options. By keeping Aperol and limoncello on hand, I can easily swap out the Campari to make either an Aperol spritz or a limoncello spritz – all three recipes follow the same 3-2-1 ratio!
More Classic Cocktail Recipes
Campari Spritz
Ingredients
- 3 ounces dry Prosecco, chilled
- 2 ounces Campari
- 1 ounce club soda, chilled
- 1 orange slice
Instructions
- Add ice to a stemmed balloon glass, to ¾-full.
- Pour Prosecco over ice, followed by Campari. Then top with club soda. Give a quick, gentle stir if desired.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
get new posts via email: