What does a Campari soda taste like?
A Campari soda tastes bitter first and sweet second: bright red grapefruit-and-orange bitterness stretched out with fizzy water, crisp, light and very grown up.
Campari soda
bitter, red and fizzy
A Campari soda is just Campari and soda water over ice, usually with an orange slice. Campari is Italy's famous red bitter, and soda lets you taste it clearly without the punch of a Negroni. It starts with sweet orange and cherry, then a firm bitterness takes over, like grapefruit pith and herbs, and it stays with you. The fizz keeps it refreshing. In Italy you'll also find it pre-bottled in tiny glass bottles. If you think you might like bitter drinks, this is the honest test.
Where you’ll see it
On aperitivo menus and Italian bar lists, served tall over ice with an orange slice. Some bars serve the little pre-mixed Campari Soda bottle with a glass of ice.
Order it if you want a light, low-alcohol drink and actually like bitter.
Quick questions
- Is a Campari soda strong?
- No. Campari is about 24% (varies by country), and soda waters it down to roughly beer strength or less. The pre-bottled version is about 10%.
- Is a Campari soda more bitter than an Aperol spritz?
- Yes, quite a bit. Campari is more bitter and less sweet than Aperol, and soda adds no sweetness the way prosecco does.