Campari has made a lasting impression in the cocktail world for over 150 years, beginning in the vibrant cafes of 1860s Milan. This bitter liqueur, with its iconic crimson hue originally derived from crushed insects, has shaped the aperitivo culture, marking various classic cocktails like the Negroni, Americano, and Garibaldi. Over the years, it has transformed into a global empire, contributing significantly to the cocktail scene, including a series of innovative recipes that enhance its flavor profile.

Here are 14 notable Campari cocktails, showcasing expert recipes that you can try at home or enjoy when dining out.

1. Negroni

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
• Directions: Mix ingredients with ice and strain into an ice-filled glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

2. Café Negroni

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • Orange peel
• Directions: Stir all the ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with orange peel.

3. Boulevardier

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz rye whiskey
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
• Directions: Combine all ingredients with ice, stir, and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

4. Suy tu Duena Cocktail

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz Sotol
  • 1 oz sweet vermouth
  • 0.75 oz Campari
  • 0.25 oz Primo Aperitivo
  • 3 dashes grapefruit bitters
  • 0.75 oz melted coconut oil
• Directions: Mix and stir all ingredients, then double-strain into a glass.

5. La Esquina Roja

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz gin
  • 0.5 oz lime juice
  • 0.5 oz raspberry syrup
  • 0.25 oz Primo Aperitivo
  • 0.25 oz Campari
  • Sparkling wine
  • Grapefruit peel
• Directions: Shake all ingredients except sparkling wine. Pour into a glass filled with ice and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with grapefruit zest.

6. The Jungle Fowl

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz Plantation Stiggins Fancy Pineapple Rum
  • 0.5 oz Ming River Baijiu
  • 0.75 oz Campari
  • 1 oz pineapple juice
  • 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
  • 0.5 oz El Guapo Orgeat
  • 0.25 oz Cherry Heering
  • 0.25 oz Demerara Syrup
  • 4 dashes MSG saline solution
• Directions: Combine ingredients in a shaker, shake vigorously, and serve in a Hurricane glass with tiki garnishes.

7. San Remo Cocktail

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz sweet vermouth
  • 1 oz St. Germain
  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 0.5 oz bourbon
  • Juice of 0.5 lime
  • Orange twist for garnish
• Directions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

8. Bitter French

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz Plymouth gin
  • 0.25 oz Campari
  • 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz simple syrup
  • Sparkling wine
• Directions: Shake gin, lemon juice, Campari, and simple syrup. Strain into a chilled flute and top with sparkling wine.

9. Americano

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz Campari
  • 1.5 oz sweet vermouth
  • Chilled soda water
  • Orange twist for garnish
• Directions: Mix Campari and vermouth over ice, top with soda water, and garnish.

10. Garibaldi

• Ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz Campari
  • 4 oz fresh orange juice
• Directions: Combine Campari with orange juice in a glass over ice and stir gently.

11. Campari Spritz

• Ingredients:
  • 3 oz dry Prosecco
  • 2 oz Campari
  • 1 oz club soda
  • Orange slice for garnish
• Directions: Pour Campari into an ice-filled glass, add Prosecco and soda, and garnish.

12. Milanese Gin and Tonic

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz London dry gin
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 4 oz tonic water
  • Orange slice for garnish
• Directions: Mix gin, Campari, and tonic in a glass with ice. Garnish with an orange slice.

13. Pegu Club 1880

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz London dry gin
  • 0.75 oz Campari
  • 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
  • Dash of Angostura bitters
  • Dash of orange bitters
  • Lime wedge for garnish
• Directions: Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and garnish with lime.

14. Campari Cosmo

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz citrus vodka
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 splash triple sec
  • 1 oz orange juice
  • Orange slice for garnish
• Directions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish and serve cold.

These drinks highlight Campari’s versatility and unique bitter-sweet flavor, perfect for any occasion from a casual summer evening to an elegant dinner party.