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Campari

Campari is an Italian bitter aperitif and liqueur made from an infusion of herbs, aromatic plants, and fruit in alcohol and water.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Campari is an Italian bitter aperitif and liqueur made from an infusion of herbs, aromatic plants, and fruit in alcohol and water. It is known for its bright red colour, bitter-sweet flavour, and frequent use in classic cocktails such as the Negroni and Americano. Created by Gaspare Campari in 1860, it remains one of the best-known Italian aperitifs and is produced by the Campari Group.

History

Campari was created by Gaspare Campari in 1860 in Italy. It became one of the best-known Italian aperitifs and remains closely associated with the Campari Group.

Composition

The recipe is proprietary and not publicly disclosed in full. Available descriptions say it is made by infusing botanicals, herbs, fruit, alcohol, and water, with some sources naming ingredients such as orange, rhubarb, chinotto, cascarilla, quinine, and ginseng.

Taste and serving style

Campari is generally described as bitter, herbal, and bittersweet, with a strong citrus edge. It is often served as an aperitif over ice, with soda water, or as a cocktail ingredient.

Cocktail use

Campari is a standard ingredient in classic cocktails including the Negroni and Americano. It also appears in drinks such as the Boulevardier and Garibaldi, and in modern variations on bitter aperitif cocktails.

Key facts

  • Campari is an Italian bitter aperitif liqueur created in 1860 by Gaspare Campari.
  • Its exact recipe is secret, but includes herbs, aromatic plants, fruit, alcohol, and water.
  • It has a bitter-sweet flavour with herbal and citrus notes.
  • Commonly used in cocktails such as the Negroni, Americano, Boulevardier, and Garibaldi.
  • Alcohol content varies by market, typically 24% ABV in North America and 25% ABV in Europe.
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Canadian context

Campari is widely sold in Canada as a cocktail ingredient and aperitif, and it is commonly used in Canadian bars and restaurants in classic drinks like the Negroni.

Frequently asked questions

What is Campari made of?
Campari is made from a secret infusion of herbs, aromatic plants, fruit, alcohol, and water. Published descriptions also mention ingredients such as orange, rhubarb, chinotto, cascarilla, quinine, and ginseng.
What does Campari taste like?
Campari tastes bitter and bittersweet, with herbal and citrus notes. It is often described as intense, dry, and aromatic rather than sweet.
How to drink Campari?
It is commonly served as an aperitif over ice, with soda water, or mixed into cocktails. It can also be paired with citrus juice or sparkling wine, depending on the drink.
Is Campari a liquor or liqueur?
Campari is a liqueur, specifically a bitter aperitif liqueur.
What cocktails use Campari?
Common Campari cocktails include the Negroni, Americano, Boulevardier, and Garibaldi. It is also used in many modern aperitif-style drinks.
What is the alcohol content of Campari?
The alcohol content varies by market. Commonly reported strengths include 24% ABV in North America and 25% ABV in many European markets, with other bottlings ranging roughly from 20.5% to 28.5% ABV.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campari
    Supports: General description, type, origin, ABV range, and production notes.
  2. Campari Academy — https://www.campariacademy.com/training/products-category/everything-you-need-to-know-about-campari/
    Supports: Official description of Campari as a bitter aperitif liqueur, origin, and ingredient framing.
  3. Difford's Guide — https://www.diffordsguide.com/producer/1120/campari/crafting
    Supports: Recipe description, botanical framing, and market-dependent alcohol strengths.
  4. VinePair — https://www.vinepair.com/articles/campari-italy-guide/
    Supports: ABV differences by market and flavour profile.
  5. A Couple Cooks — https://www.acouplecooks.com/campari/
    Supports: Taste description and common cocktail uses.
  6. CooksInfo — https://www.cooksinfo.com/campari/
    Supports: Ingredient descriptions, taste, and ABV.