Everything You Need To Know About Campari

All About Campari

Campari, a beloved Italian spirit, stands out for its bold, bitter flavor. Producers create it by infusing a neutral spirit with a blend of herbs, spices, and fruit peels before adding water and sugar. This process results in a vibrant red liquid with a distinct and unforgettable flavor profile.

An Italian businessman, Gaspare Campari introduced it in 1860 in Novara, Italy. He originally named it "Bitter all'Uso d'Olanda" ("Dutch-style bitter"), but the name was eventually simplified to Campari. Initially, Italians enjoyed it as an aperitif designed to stimulate the appetite before a meal. Over time, it became a fixture in Italian bars and restaurants, cementing its place in global cocktail culture.

Versatility

Campari's enduring popularity is due to its versatility. It excels as a standalone aperitif and as a base for countless cocktails.

• Negroni: This classic cocktail, blending Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth, offers a perfect balance of bitter and sweet flavors. Bartenders typically serve it with a twist of orange peel.
• Americano: Combining Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water, this refreshing cocktail provides a lighter, easy-to-drink option ideal for warm weather.
• Campari Spritz: A modern favorite, this cocktail mixes Campari with prosecco and soda water, served in a wine glass with a slice of orange for a festive touch.

Beyond cocktails, Campari enhances culinary creations. Its bitter notes bring depth to pasta sauces, marinades, and even desserts. In the classic Italian dessert Tiramisu, Campari’s bitterness balances the sweetness of other ingredients, adding a layer of complexity.

An Acquired Taste

Despite its popularity, Campari is not for everyone. Its bitter flavor can be an acquired taste, and some people find it too strong or overpowering. However, for those who enjoy it, it is a unique and versatile spirit that can add a touch of Italian sophistication to any occasion.

Modern Culture

In recent years, Campari has also become known for its advertising campaigns, which are often colorful and quirky. One of the most famous ads features actress Uma Thurman, who is shown lounging on a bed of red velvet while sipping a Campari cocktail.

Drinks featuring Campari and what’s in them.

Many cocktails and drinks showcase Campari's bold and complex flavor. Here are some of the most popular:

• Negroni: Mix equal parts Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth for this classic cocktail. Garnish it with an orange peel for a vibrant finish.
• Americano: Combine Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water for a refreshing drink. Serve it over ice with a slice of lemon or orange.
• Campari Spritz: Blend Campari, prosecco, and soda water for this beloved Italian aperitif. Serve it in a wine glass with a slice of orange.
• Boulevardier: Swap gin for bourbon in a Negroni to create this rich variation. Garnish it with a cherry for a touch of sweetness.
• Jungle Bird: Craft a tropical delight with Campari, rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup. Serve it over ice with a pineapple slice.
• Rosita: Shake tequila, Campari, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, and Angostura bitters to create this sophisticated cocktail. Serve it up with a twist of orange.
• Campari and Soda: Mix Campari with soda water for a simple, refreshing drink. Serve it over ice with a slice of orange.
• Paper Plane: Combine equal parts Campari, bourbon, Aperol, and lemon juice for this modern classic. Garnish with a twist of lemon.
• Campari and Tonic: Replace gin with Campari in a Gin and Tonic to create this vibrant twist. Add a slice of grapefruit for a citrusy edge.
• Campari Martini: Blend Campari, gin, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters for a bold reinterpretation of the classic Martini. Serve it up with an orange twist.

These cocktails demonstrate Campari's versatility, allowing its unique bitterness to complement a variety of flavors. Bartenders and cocktail enthusiasts value Campari as a staple for crafting creative and sophisticated drinks.

What makes Campari bitter?

It owes its signature bitterness to a blend of herbs, spices, and fruit peels infused during production. The recipe remains a tightly guarded secret, but it includes ingredients like quinine, rhubarb, ginseng, orange peel, and cinchona bark.

Quinine, sourced from cinchona tree bark, contributes a pronounced bitterness and has historically been used as a malaria remedy. Rhubarb adds a tangy bitterness, while ginseng enhances the complexity with its herbal notes. Orange peel, rich in bitter compounds like limonene and linalool, imparts a vibrant citrus flavor and gives Campari its characteristic orange hue.

These elements combine to create Campari's unique flavor profile, featuring citrus, spice, and herbs notes. While intense on its own, Campari’s bitterness harmonizes beautifully in cocktails or culinary dishes.

Five fun facts

1. Campari’s Origins: Gaspare Campari, a bartender and entrepreneur, invented Campari in 1860 in Novara, Italy. The recipe has remained a well-kept secret ever since.
2. Signature Red Color: Campari’s bright red hue originally came from carmine, a natural dye from crushed cochineal insects. The practice continued until synthetic dyes became prevalent.
3. Medicinal Beginnings: Early marketing positioned Campari as a medicinal tonic believed to aid digestion and combat malaria.
4. Complex Recipe: Though the exact recipe is secret, it blends quinine, rhubarb, ginseng, orange peel, and cinchona bark, creating its distinct bitter flavor.
5. Cultural Icon: Campari has inspired art, music, and film. Artists like Leonetto Cappiello and Fortunato Depero celebrated it in their works, while films like Ocean’s Eleven and The Talented Mr. Ripley featured it prominently.

Music

1. Campari has influenced Italian music and pop culture, appearing in songs like:
   • "Dolce Vita" by Ryan Paris: Celebrates Campari with the lyrics, "Sorseggiando un Campari / In dolce vita"("Sipping a Campari / In sweet life").
   • "Rumore" by Raffaella Carrà: Mentions its dizzying charm with "Il Campari mi fa girare / Ma se sei qui mi sento bene" ("Campari makes me dizzy / But when you're here I feel good").
   • "Vodka Cola" by Gang: Pays homage, stating, "Preferisco un Campari / Che mi fa sentire un gentleman" ("I prefer a Campari / That makes me feel like a gentleman").
   • "La Cumparsita" by Carlos Gardel: Some versions of this tango reference "Bebiendo Campari / en la barra del café" ("Drinking Campari / at the café bar").

   Campari's cultural significance extends beyond beverages, weaving its way into Italy’s artistic and musical legacy.

Can you use Campari in cooking?

Yes, it can be used in cooking to add a bitter and slightly sweet flavor to dishes. Here are a few examples of how Campari can be used in cooking:

1. Sauces and marinades: it can add a unique flavor to sauces and marinades. For example, you can add a splash of Campari to tomato sauce for pasta or use it as a marinade for chicken or pork.
2. Desserts: It can flavor desserts, such as sorbets, ice creams, and fruit salads. It pairs particularly well with citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits.
3. Cocktails in cooking: Campari can enhance the flavor of cocktails used in cooking, such as a classic Negroni sauce for pasta or a Campari glaze for meat dishes.
4. Salad dressings: It can be added to salad dressings for a sweet and bitter flavor. A classic vinaigrette can be made by whisking together Campari, olive oil, vinegar, and honey.

Campari can be a versatile ingredient in cooking, allowing you to experiment with different flavors and add a unique twist to your dishes.