Cocktail Archive: Campari Spritz (Italy)
The Campari Spritz arrives with more intention than its lighter cousins. Still rooted in daylight and conversation, it carries a deeper bitterness and a firmer edge. This is the spritz ordered by those who enjoy contrast, who welcome a little tension in the glass. It is vivid, aromatic, and unmistakably Italian in temperament.
Where the Aperol Spritz feels open and playful, the Campari Spritz feels composed and deliberate. The bitterness lingers longer, the citrus notes feel sharper, and the bubbles serve to lift rather than soften. It is a drink that asks for attention without demanding it, rewarding slow sipping and thoughtful pacing.
Origin & Cultural Context
Campari has been part of Italian drinking culture since the 19th century, long before the spritz became internationally fashionable. In northern Italy, combining bitter liqueur with sparkling wine and soda was a natural evolution of aperitivo habits rather than a designed cocktail.
The Campari Spritz remained a local preference for decades, favoured by those who enjoyed bitterness as a feature rather than an obstacle. While it never achieved the same global popularity as Aperol, it has endured quietly, anchored by Campari’s unmistakable flavour and Italy’s long-standing relationship with bitter drinks before meals.
What Defines the Campari Spritz
This drink is defined by bitterness and structure. Campari provides herbal depth and assertive citrus, prosecco brings dryness and lift, and soda keeps the drink refreshing without dulling its edge. Compared to sweeter spritzes, the Campari Spritz feels drier, more aromatic, and more adult in character.
Ingredients
Campari
Prosecco
Soda water
Orange slice
Equipment Needed
Large wine glass
Bar spoon
Method
Fill a wine glass generously with ice
Add Campari
Pour in prosecco
Top with a splash of soda water
Stir gently and garnish with an orange slice
Notes & Variations
Balance is essential. Too much soda flattens the bitterness, while too little makes the drink feel heavy. A dry prosecco works best, allowing Campari’s herbal complexity to remain clear rather than cloying.
Those who enjoy the Campari Spritz often gravitate toward other bitter aperitivo drinks such as the Garibaldi or the Americano Highball, where bitterness is central rather than decorative.
When to Drink It
The Campari Spritz belongs to early evening, just as appetite begins to sharpen. It suits warm air, outdoor tables, and conversations that stretch without urgency. More assertive than lighter spritzes but still refreshing, it bridges the space between casual aperitivo and more spirit-forward classics.
Its appeal lies in its honesty. The Campari Spritz does not soften itself to please. It simply offers bitterness with clarity and lets the drinker decide.
