What does Campari taste like?
Campari tastes boldly bitter and a little sweet, like bitter orange peel, cherry and herbs, with a dry bitterness that lingers and is much stronger than Aperol's.
Campari
bold bitter orange, bright red
Campari is the bright red Italian bitter liqueur that makes a Negroni a Negroni. The first sip is sweet, almost like a cherry cough drop, then a wave of bitter orange peel and herbs takes over and stays. It's about 24% alcohol (it varies a little by country), roughly double Aperol, and a lot more bitter. Straight, it's intense for beginners, but with soda or orange juice it opens up into something refreshing and grown-up. The recipe is a secret, so nobody outside the company can tell you exactly what's in it.
Where you’ll see it
In a Negroni, Americano, Boulevardier and Jungle Bird, as Campari soda or Campari and orange juice (a Garibaldi), and as a spritz for people who find Aperol too sweet.
Order it if you like grapefruit, dark chocolate or black coffee and want a drink with real bite.
Quick questions
- Is Campari the same as Aperol?
- No. Both are Italian bitter orange aperitivos, but Campari is about twice as strong, darker red and much more bitter. Aperol is sweeter and gentler.
- How do you drink Campari?
- Most people start with Campari and soda over ice with an orange slice. Campari and orange juice is softer. Fans drink it on the rocks.