Campari is a bitter Italian aperitivo liqueur known for intense bitter-orange and herbal complexity. It’s sharper, more assertive, and more bitter than Aperol, with a more medicinal, grapefruit-peel edge.
In cocktails it acts like a bitter “red anchor”—providing bitterness, color, and a long finish that balances sweetness or rich spirits. It can overwhelm delicate bases, so it shines with gin, whiskey, and sparkling wine where contrast helps.
Campari
Campari has no real substitute. Imitators exist, but they fall apart in cocktails where Campari's specific bitterness and depth are doing structural work—Negronis, Boulevardiers, and Americanos all rely on its particular balance of bitter orange, herbal complexity, and that distinctive ruby color. Off-brand bitter aperitivos often taste either too harsh or too sweet, lacking the integration that makes Campari worth its place on the shelf.
Nutrition and related data for campari and all recipes that make use of it are based on Campari. Alternative products or manufacturer reformulations may produce different results. Always verify with current product labels.
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