Campari Spritz is one of those cocktails that everybody should try at least once.
Famous for its bright red colour and strong, bitter taste, Campari Spritz perfectly embodies Italy, the country from which it hails, as an icon of class, indulgence and conspicuous ostentation.
Italians tend to drink Campari Spritz as an aperitif (aperitivo, in Italian), accompanied by finger food like crisps, nuts or olives to stimulate the appetite—or figuratively ‘open’ the stomach as the Italian term originally implied. Campari Spritz is often confused with Aperol Spritz, its cocktail cousin, which is orange in appearance and significantly sweeter. Further fuelling this confusion is the fact that the Campari Group owns both Campari and Aperol.
What is Campari Spritz?
A Campari Spritz is a medium-sized cocktail that blends Campari bitter, sparkling wine and soda water. It’s twice as strong as Aperol Spritz, measuring 48% proof to Aperol’s 22%, and significantly more bitter, though with sweet notes such as cherry, cinnamon, clove and orange.
Simplicity is key to the Campari Spritz’s success, something it has in common with Italian food in general. It consists of only three ingredients: Campari, sparkling wine (usually prosecco) and soda water, with optional extra touches like garnishing or clear ice. But, as is the case for classic Italian cuisine, it’s the quality, not the quantity of ingredients that makes the difference.
How to make Campari Spritz?
Making a Campari Spritz is as easy as one, two, three: one part soda water, two parts Campari, and three parts sparkling wine. We’ve broken it down into three easy steps.
Campari Spritz Recipe
Serves: 1
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) soda water.
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) chilled Campari.
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) sparkling wine, preferably prosecco.
Method
- Pour the Campari into a medium glass filled with ice and stir lightly.
- Add sparkling wine and soda water.
- Stir again, add a lemon wedge or squeeze of lemon juice (optional), and serve!
How many calories are in a Campari Spritz?
A single Campari Spritz contains around 135 calories.
Popular Campari-Based Cocktails
Negroni
Simple and balanced, Negroni is one of the world’s most famous Italian cocktails. It was named after its inventor, Count Negroni, who woke up one day in 1919 and decided to spruce up his Americano with a drop of gin instead of soda (the absolute madman).
Negroni Sbagliato
The Negroni Sbagliato (“Mistaken Negroni”) follows the same recipe as the classic Negroni with the exception that prosecco replaces gin. Poor Count Negroni would be spinning in his grave…
Americano
The Americano promises love at first imbibe thanks to its smooth velvety texture and extraordinary combination of flavours. There are many legends and stories about its origin. Some say it originated when American tourists asked for soda water in their Mi-To cocktail, while others claim that the Americano is a tribute to the boxer Primo Carnera (nicknamed “the American”).
Where to Try Campari Spritz in Italy
The best place in Rome to try Campari Spritz is on our Rome Tipsy Tour. This unique evening experience is the best way to meet fun, like-minded travellers, try a range of traditional Italian drinks, and learn the more scandalous sex and violence-fuelled history of the Italian capital.
If you’re looking for a truly authentic Roman experience that combines cocktail tasting with a hands-on pasta-making cooking class, check out our famous Spritz & Spaghetti Cooking Class. You’ll enjoy a Campari Spritz, Aperol Spritz, Limoncello and some local wine while learning to make fettuccine pasta and sauce from scratch, under the guidance of our expert local chef.
If you’re visiting Florence and want to sip traditional drinks, socialise with other travellers and learn about Florence’s more shocking history during the tumultuous times of the Medici, make sure to join us for our Florence Tipsy Tour.
