Campari has that gorgeous red glow and a bitter-orange bite that wakes up your whole palate. One sip and you know why Italians built an entire happy hour around it. This bright, herbal liqueur turns simple combinations of soda, vermouth, or citrus into something that tastes like a vacation.
The best Campari cocktail for most people is the Negroni, a three-ingredient classic that balances gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari in equal parts for a drink that’s bitter, boozy, and endlessly adjustable. If you want something lighter for early evening sipping, the Americano swaps in soda water for a lower-proof option, and if you’re craving something fruity and tropical, the Jungle Bird brings rum and pineapple into the mix.
Some of these drinks date back a century, and others are modern bartender inventions built to show off Campari’s range. All of them share that same ruby color and bittersweet snap that makes Campari so recognizable behind any bar.
Quick picks:
- Best overall: Negroni, the gin-forward original that defines aperitivo hour
- Best low-proof: Americano, light enough for a long afternoon of sipping
- Best for brunch: Garibaldi, orange juice and Campari over ice
- Best for summer: Campari Spritz, bubbly, cold, and easy to batch for a crowd
1. Negroni
The Negroni is the drink that made Campari famous, built from equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari stirred over ice. Count Camillo Negroni supposedly asked his bartender in Florence to strengthen his Americano with gin instead of soda, and the rest is history. Garnish with an orange peel, twisted over the glass to release its oil. For more ways to riff on this classic, check out our best Campari cocktails collection or browse 19 gin cocktails for other gin pairings.
2. Americano
The Americano came before the Negroni and uses the same bitter backbone without the gin. Stir equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth over ice, then top with club soda for a fizzy, low-proof sipper. It’s named for the American tourists who loved it in Milan during the early 1900s. Garnish with an orange slice and a lemon twist for extra brightness. This one’s perfect for long afternoons when you want flavor without getting knocked sideways.
3. Boulevardier
Swap the Negroni’s gin for bourbon or rye and you get the Boulevardier, a warmer, richer cousin built for cooler weather. Stir 1.5 ounces bourbon with 1 ounce each of Campari and sweet vermouth, then strain over a fresh ice cube. The whiskey adds caramel and spice notes that play beautifully against Campari’s bitterness. Fans of whiskey drinks should also check out 13 bourbon cocktails for more ideas. Orange peel garnish, as always.
4. Campari Spritz
The Campari Spritz is the easiest crowd-pleaser on this list, built for pitchers and patio afternoons. Combine 3 ounces prosecco, 2 ounces Campari, and a splash of soda water over ice in a wine glass. The fizz keeps it light, while the Campari gives it that gorgeous orange-red hue. Garnish with an orange wheel. It’s the drink you reach for when the Aperol Spritz starts feeling too sweet and you want more bite.
5. Jungle Bird
The Jungle Bird takes Campari out of Italy and into tiki territory with dark rum, pineapple, and lime. Shake 1.5 ounces dark rum, 0.75 ounce Campari, 1 ounce pineapple juice, 0.5 ounce lime juice, and 0.5 ounce simple syrup with ice, then strain into a glass over fresh ice. Created in the 1970s at a Kuala Lumpur hotel, it proves Campari works just as well with tropical fruit as it does with vermouth. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
6. Garibaldi
The Garibaldi is Campari’s simplest, brightest cocktail, just two ingredients poured over crushed ice. Mix 1.5 ounces Campari with fresh orange juice, ideally juiced by hand for better texture and sweetness. Named after the Italian general, this drink tastes like a boozy orange creamsicle without the cream. It’s a favorite for brunch because it feels bright and casual, not heavy. Pair it with ideas from 17 orange juice cocktails or 31 refreshing brunch cocktails for a full spread.
7. Negroni Sbagliato
The Negroni Sbagliato means “mistaken Negroni” in Italian, born when a bartender grabbed sparkling wine instead of gin. Stir equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, then top with prosecco instead of still spirit. The result is lighter and bubblier than a classic Negroni but just as bittersweet. Garnish with an orange slice. This one got a huge popularity boost after appearing in a viral clip, and it’s easy to see why once you taste it.
8. Old Pal
The Old Pal is a drier, lighter twist on the Boulevardier, using dry vermouth and rye whiskey instead of sweet vermouth and bourbon. Stir 1 ounce rye, 1 ounce dry vermouth, and 1 ounce Campari over ice, then strain into a chilled glass. The dry vermouth cuts the sweetness way down, making this a sharper, more bracing drink. Lemon twist garnish. It’s named after a New York Herald Tribune sports editor who supposedly requested the recipe.
9. Bicicletta
The Bicicletta is Italy’s answer to a casual porch drink, named for the bicycles locals rode home after a glass or two. Combine 2 ounces Campari, 3 ounces dry white wine, and a splash of soda water over ice in a wine glass. It’s lighter than a Spritz since there’s no prosecco bubble boost, just still wine and soda. Garnish with a lemon or orange slice. Simple, low-key, and easy to make by the pitcher for guests.
10. Siesta
The Siesta brings Campari into tequila territory for a drink that’s tart, bitter, and a little savory. Shake 1.5 ounces tequila, 0.5 ounce Campari, 0.75 ounce lime juice, 0.5 ounce grapefruit juice, and 0.5 ounce simple syrup with ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. Created at New York’s Flatiron Lounge, it’s become a modern classic for tequila fans. Grapefruit twist garnish. For more citrus-forward ideas, see our best grapefruit cocktails.
11. Enzoni
The Enzoni swaps gin’s herbal notes for vodka’s clean neutrality, letting Campari and fresh grape flavor take center stage. Muddle a few red grapes in a shaker, then add 1.5 ounces vodka, 0.75 ounce Campari, and 0.75 ounce lemon juice with ice. Shake hard and double strain into a coupe. The grapes add a juicy sweetness that softens Campari’s bitter edge without masking it. Garnish with a halved grape on the rim.
12. Rosita
The Rosita is essentially a Negroni built on tequila instead of gin, giving it an earthier, smokier backbone. Stir 1.5 ounces reposado tequila with 0.75 ounce each of Campari, sweet vermouth, and dry vermouth over ice. Strain into a rocks glass over a fresh cube. The dual vermouth gives it more depth than a straight tequila Negroni swap. Orange peel garnish. It’s a great pick if you already love tequila but want something more complex than a Paloma.
13. Kingston Negroni
The Kingston Negroni replaces gin with Jamaican rum, adding funky banana and molasses notes to the familiar bitter-sweet formula. Stir 1.5 ounces Jamaican rum with 1 ounce each of Campari and sweet vermouth over ice, then strain over a large cube. The rum’s funk plays surprisingly well against Campari’s orange bitterness. Orange twist garnish. This modern riff, credited to bartender Joaquin Simo, shows just how flexible the Negroni formula really is once you start swapping spirits.
14. Jasmine
The Jasmine is a lesser-known gin classic that leans on Campari for color and bite instead of sweet vermouth. Shake 1.5 ounces gin, 0.5 ounce Campari, 0.5 ounce Cointreau, and 0.75 ounce lemon juice with ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. It’s brighter and more citrus-forward than a Negroni, with the orange liqueur adding a clean sweetness. Lemon twist garnish. Worth trying if you want a shaken, chilled alternative to the usual stirred Campari drinks.
15. Lucien Gaudin
The Lucien Gaudin is named after a French Olympic fencer and reads like a Negroni crossed with a Martini. Stir 1.5 ounces gin, 0.5 ounce Campari, 0.5 ounce dry vermouth, and 0.5 ounce Cointreau over ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. The dry vermouth and orange liqueur combo makes it crisper and less syrupy than a classic Negroni. Orange twist garnish. It’s an elegant choice for anyone who wants a stirred drink with a little more polish.
16. Rome With a View
Rome With a View is a modern spritz variation built to taste brighter and slightly fruitier than the classic version. Combine 2 ounces Campari, 2 ounces prosecco, 1 ounce grapefruit juice, and a splash of soda water over ice. The grapefruit juice adds tartness that balances Campari’s bitterness even further. Garnish with a grapefruit twist or wheel. It’s an easy way to dress up a spritz for a dinner party without much extra effort.
17. Campari Shakerato
The Campari Shakerato is all about texture, a frothy, well-chilled sipper made by shaking Campari hard with ice. Combine 2 ounces Campari, 0.5 ounce simple syrup, and ice in a shaker, then shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe so you capture that light, foamy top. It’s a simple way to serve Campari solo without it tasting harsh or flat. Orange twist garnish, served ice-cold.
18. Milano-Torino
The Milano-Torino is the two-ingredient ancestor of the Americano, named for the Italian cities that produced its components. Stir equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth over ice, then strain into a rocks glass over a fresh cube. No soda water here, just the pure bittersweet combination in its most concentrated form. Orange peel garnish. It’s a strong, short drink best sipped slowly before dinner, when you want full flavor without much dilution.
19. Ferrari
The Ferrari cocktail pairs Campari with amaretto for a nutty, almond-sweet take on the bitter liqueur. Stir 1.5 ounces Campari with 1 ounce amaretto over ice, then strain into a rocks glass over a fresh cube. The almond sweetness from the amaretto rounds out Campari’s sharper edges nicely. Orange twist garnish. If you like this combination, 15 amaretto cocktails and our best amaretto cocktails have more almond-forward drinks to try.
How to Balance Campari’s Bitterness
Campari’s bitterness softens with sweet, acidic, or fizzy partners, which is why so many classic recipes lean on vermouth, citrus, or soda. Sweet vermouth adds body and a touch of sugar that rounds out Campari’s sharp orange-peel bite. Citrus juices like orange, grapefruit, or lemon bring acidity that balances bitterness instead of fighting it.
Soda water or prosecco dilutes the intensity while keeping the drink light and refreshing. A small amount of simple syrup, as in the Shakerato or Siesta, smooths out rough edges without making the drink taste like candy.
A few tips for home bartenders:
- Start with a 1:1 ratio of Campari to its sweetener or mixer, then adjust to taste.
- Always use fresh citrus juice instead of bottled; it makes a noticeable difference in balance.
- Stir spirit-forward drinks like the Negroni or Boulevardier to keep them silky, and shake citrus-based ones like the Siesta for a frothier texture.
- Chill your glass first. A warm glass makes bitterness taste harsher.
Campari rewards a light hand with sugar and a generous one with fresh citrus. Once you find your preferred ratio, you can apply it across nearly any recipe on this list, from the 15 campari cocktails collection to your own homemade riffs.
