Campari cocktails are famous for their bold red color, bittersweet flavor, and sophisticated taste. This iconic Italian liqueur adds depth and balance to drinks, making them refreshing and slightly bitter in the best way.
If you’ve ever wondered what kind of alcohol is Campari, it’s an Italian herbal bitter liqueur made from fruit, herbs, and botanicals. And what is Campari used for? It’s commonly used in aperitif-style drinks that stimulate the appetite before meals.
Below are 15 of the best Campari cocktails that are easy to make and full of flavor.
1. Classic Negroni
The Negroni is one of the most famous Campari cocktails Negroni fans adore.
It has a deep ruby color and tastes bold, bitter, and balanced.
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- Ice
How to Make It
Add gin, Campari, and vermouth to a mixing glass with ice. Stir for about 20 seconds until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with an orange peel. This classic remains one of the most beloved Campari and vermouth cocktails.
2. Campari Spritz
A bright, bubbly drink and a favorite Campari spritz cocktail recipe.
It tastes refreshing with light bitterness.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Campari
- 3 oz prosecco
- Splash soda water
- Ice
How to Make It
Fill a wine glass with ice. Add Campari and prosecco, then top with soda water. Stir gently and garnish with orange. A refreshing Campari and prosecco cocktail.
3. Campari Soda
This simple drink is one of the easiest ways how to drink Campari.
It tastes crisp and lightly bitter.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Campari
- 4 oz soda water
- Ice
How to Make It
Pour Campari over ice and top with soda water. Stir gently and garnish with orange peel. This classic Campari soda cocktail is refreshing and easy.
4. Campari Orange
This bright citrus drink is a popular Campari orange cocktail.
It tastes sweet, slightly bitter, and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Campari
- 4 oz orange juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Fill a glass with ice and pour Campari over the ice. Add orange juice and stir gently. Garnish with an orange slice.
5. Boulevardier
A whiskey-based twist on the Negroni and a classic Campari whiskey cocktail.
It tastes rich, smooth, and bittersweet.
Ingredients
- 1 oz bourbon
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
How to Make It
Stir ingredients with ice until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass and garnish with an orange peel. A classic bourbon Campari cocktail.
6. Campari Tonic
Light and refreshing, this is one of the easiest Campari cocktails easy.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Campari
- 4 oz tonic water
- Ice
How to Make It
Add Campari to a glass filled with ice. Top with tonic water and stir gently. Garnish with a citrus slice. This refreshing Campari tonic cocktail is perfect for warm days.
7. Grapefruit Campari Cocktail
Bright and citrusy.
It tastes slightly bitter and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Campari
- 3 oz grapefruit juice
- Splash soda water
- Ice
How to Make It
Add Campari and grapefruit juice over ice. Top with soda water and stir gently. This refreshing grapefruit Campari cocktail is a favorite aperitif.
8. Rum Campari Cocktail
A tropical twist on cocktails with Campari.
Ingredients
- 2 oz dark rum
- 1 oz Campari
- 2 oz pineapple juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Shake rum, Campari, and pineapple juice with ice. Strain into a chilled glass. This bold Campari rum cocktail blends tropical sweetness with bitterness.
9. Tequila Campari Cocktail
This refreshing drink is a bold Campari tequila cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz lime juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Shake ingredients with ice until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. This bright drink is one of the most exciting cocktails with Campari combinations.
10. Campari Sour
Smooth and balanced, this is a classic Campari sour cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Campari
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Ice
How to Make It
Shake all ingredients with ice until chilled. Strain into a glass and garnish with lemon. A refreshing drink among Campari cocktail recipes.
11. Gin and Campari Citrus Cocktail
This refreshing drink highlights the classic pairing used in many gin and Campari cocktails.
It looks bright red with a citrus garnish and tastes bittersweet with a refreshing herbal finish.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Add gin, Campari, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice. Shake for about 15 seconds until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon twist. This bold Campari cocktail recipe balances gin botanicals with Campari’s bitterness, making it one of the best Campari cocktails for citrus lovers.
12. Campari and Bourbon Cocktail
This drink is a smooth and flavorful Campari and bourbon cocktail.
It has a rich amber-red color and tastes warm, slightly bitter, and balanced.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz bourbon
- 1 oz Campari
- ½ oz maple syrup
- Ice
How to Make It
Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add bourbon, Campari, and maple syrup. Stir slowly for about 20 seconds until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with an orange peel. This smooth drink is a bold whiskey Campari cocktail variation.
13. Mezcal Campari Cocktail
Smoky mezcal gives this drink a bold personality.
It tastes smoky, bitter, and citrusy.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz mezcal
- 1 oz Campari
- ¾ oz lime juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Add mezcal, Campari, and lime juice to a shaker with ice. Shake well until cold. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with a lime wedge. This smoky Campari mezcal cocktail is a unique twist among cocktails with Campari.
14. Campari Amaro Cocktail
This rich drink layers herbal flavors for a complex Campari drink cocktails experience.
It tastes bittersweet with deep herbal notes.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz amaro liqueur
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- Ice
How to Make It
Stir Campari, amaro, and vermouth with ice until well chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with orange peel. This aromatic drink is a sophisticated Campari vermouth cocktail.
15. Campari Batch Party Cocktail
This large-format drink is perfect for gatherings and celebrations.
It tastes refreshing, slightly bitter, and citrusy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Campari
- 1 cup gin
- 1 cup orange juice
- Ice
How to Make It
Add Campari, gin, and orange juice to a large pitcher filled with ice. Stir well until chilled. Pour into glasses and garnish with orange slices. This easy Campari batch cocktail is ideal for parties and showcases how versatile Campari cocktails can be.
Quick Answers
What is good to mix with Campari?
Gin, soda water, orange juice, grapefruit juice, prosecco, bourbon, rum, and tequila all pair well with Campari.
What kind of alcohol is Campari?
Campari is an Italian bitter herbal liqueur used in many classic aperitif drinks.
How to drink Campari?
You can enjoy it in cocktails like the Negroni, Campari Spritz, Campari Soda, or mixed with citrus juices.
Conclusion
These Campari cocktails highlight the bold and bittersweet personality of this iconic Italian aperitif. Much like cocktails using Malibu, they showcase how a single signature ingredient can transform a drink—ranging from refreshing spritzes to rich whiskey-based creations—so there’s a Campari drink for every taste.
