Campari Spritz

Meet the perfect summer cocktail: the vibrant, fruity Campari spritz. As you may have guessed, Campari—the delightfully bittersweet Italian aperitif—is the star of the show in this easy-to-make sipper. It's what gives the drink its stunning red hue and unmistakable flavor. When combined with just three other ingredients (plus a few fun garnishes), Campari transforms into the ultimate cool-down cocktail after a hot summer day. No need to make syrup or get out a cocktail shaker; this easy champagne cocktail is simply stirred together over ice! Get ready to take a big sip and sigh with satisfaction.

What is a Campari spritz?

A Campari spritz looks like a light, bubbly fruit punch. But don't be fooled—the satisfyingly bittersweet taste of Campari will quickly wash away any cloying Hawaiian Punch fantasies. While this aperitif is traditionally only made with Campari, prosecco, and sparkling water, a little orange juice provides just a hint of sweetness. To bring out the cherry notes in the flavorful Campari, bing cherries join the cocktail’s customary orange slice for a beautiful, tasty garnish. 

Can you use flavored sparkling water to make a Campari spritz?

Certainly! Orange-flavored sparkling water would be especially delicious in this Campari spritz since there's already fresh orange juice. Feel free to switch up the juice flavor, too, though. Grapefruit juice and grapefruit sparkling water would be tasty swaps for orange.

Are Aperol and Campari the same thing?

Along with Grand Mariner and Skyy Vodka, these spirits are both owned by the Campari Group. While they are both beloved, bitter, and vibrant aperitifs hailing from Italy, Aperol and Campari are different spirits. Aperol is lower in alcohol, a deep orange-red color, and citrusy bittersweet. Campari is a bright cherry red with a stronger bittersweet and herbaceous flavor. If you aren’t accustomed to the bitter flavor profile, Aperol is a great introduction as it has a softer flavor than Campari. Simply substitute equal parts Aperol for Campari for an equally iconic and refreshing Aperol spritz.

What else can you make with Campari?

There are dozens of delicious cocktail recipes that call for Campari. One of the most famous? A negroni. This sophisticated sipper is easy to stir together with just Campari, red vermouth, and gin. You can also splash some Campari in a batch of red wine sangria to add citrusy, bittersweet notes.