Campari Spritz

The Campari Spritz is a quintessential Italian cocktail, celebrated for its striking crimson color and refreshingly bittersweet taste. It's a simple yet elegant mix of Campari, prosecco, and soda water, served over ice with an orange slice. This drink perfectly balances the complex herbal bitterness of Campari with the light, fruity effervescence of the sparkling wine, making it an ideal palate-cleanser.
Campari Spritz

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Campari Spritz is primarily classified as a classic aperitif, designed to be enjoyed before a meal. It is also a member of the spritz family of cocktails, which are known for their combination of a bitter liqueur, sparkling wine, and soda water.

Serving

This is a cold, moderately alcoholic drink served in a large wine glass filled with ice to keep it chilled. The generous size allows for the characteristic effervescence and aroma to be fully appreciated.
Serving size
Approx. 200-250 ml / 7-8.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approx. 8-11% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Large Wine Glass or Copa Glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The "spritz" originated in the Veneto region of Italy during the 1800s when Austrian soldiers found Italian wine too strong and would dilute it with a spritz (German for "splash") of water. The addition of bitter liqueurs like Campari came later, in the early 20th century, transforming the simple drink into the iconic aperitivo we know today. The Campari Spritz rose to international fame alongside its sweeter cousin, the Aperol Spritz.
Origin
Veneto, Italy, circa early 20th century.

Campari Spritz

The drink is known globally by its original name, Campari Spritz. Occasionally, it might be referred to as a Campari Spritzer, particularly in German-speaking regions, but this is less common.
Original name
Campari Spritz
Alternative name
Campari Spritzer

Characteristics overview

The Campari Spritz boasts a vibrant red hue and a bittersweet, citrusy flavor profile with a clean, herbal aftertaste. Its light-bodied, bubbly texture makes it an exceptionally refreshing drink, perfect for summer.
Flavor
bittersweet, citrusy, herbal, crisp, bubbly
Aroma
orange peel, bitter herbs, rhubarb, quinine
Taste balance
bitter, slightly sweet
Aftertaste
clean, bitter, lingering herbal notes
Fizziness
effervescent, sparkling
Color appearance
vibrant red, clear, transparent
Texture
light-bodied, bubbly, watery
Seasonality
refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a carbonated, bitter-forward drink with a low level of sweetness and fruitiness. Its alcohol strength is relatively low, making for a refreshing and sessionable aperitif.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The classic recipe calls for a simple 3-2-1 ratio of prosecco, Campari, and soda water. All ingredients should be well-chilled before mixing.
  • Prosecco90 ml / 3 oz
    Must be well-chilled. A dry (Brut) Prosecco works best to balance the bitterness.
  • Campari60 ml / 2 oz
    The key ingredient, defining the drink's color and flavor.
  • Soda Water30 ml / 1 oz (a splash)
    Use a freshly opened bottle for maximum carbonation.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed beyond a bar spoon for a gentle stir to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
  • Bar spoon for gentle stirring

Instructions

The drink is built directly in the glass over ice; simply pour the ingredients, give a gentle stir, and add the garnish.
1. Fill a large wine glass to the top with cubed ice.
2. Pour the Prosecco over the ice.
3. Add the Campari.
4. Top with a splash of soda water.
5. Stir gently once to combine the ingredients.
6. Garnish with a slice of orange.

Garnishing

A simple slice or wedge of fresh orange is the traditional and perfect garnish, complementing the citrus notes in the Campari.
  • Orange slice or wedge to place in the drink

Dietary Information

This drink is generally considered free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. It is also suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A single serving contains a moderate amount of calories, primarily from the alcohol and sugar in the Campari and prosecco. It is relatively low in total carbohydrates and sugar compared to many other cocktails.
Calories
Averagely 150-180 kcal / 627-753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 9-14 g
Sugar level

Occasions

Perfect as a pre-dinner aperitif to stimulate the appetite, the Campari Spritz is also an excellent choice for summer parties, brunches, and casual social gatherings. Its light and refreshing nature makes it suitable for warm weather and daytime drinking.
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Summer party
  • Brunch
  • Social gathering

Pairing suggestions

The bittersweet profile of the Campari Spritz pairs wonderfully with salty and savory foods. It's a classic match for Italian aperitivo snacks like olives, cured meats, and hard cheeses, as the bitterness cuts through the richness of the food.
  • Salty snacks (olives, nuts, chips)
  • Cured meats (prosciutto, salami)
  • Cheeses (parmesan, pecorino)
  • Small Italian appetizers (cicchetti)

The Campari Spritz: A Taste of Italian Aperitivo Culture

The Campari Spritz is a brilliantly simple yet sophisticated Italian aperitif. Its signature bitter orange and herbal flavor from Campari is beautifully lengthened with crisp prosecco and a splash of soda water, creating a bubbly and refreshing experience. Served over ice in a large wine glass with an orange slice, it's the perfect drink to start an evening, cleanse the palate, and enjoy on a warm day. Its vibrant red color and elegant presentation make it a timeless classic.

Similar Cocktails

Aperol Spritz

Uses Aperol instead of Campari, resulting in a sweeter, less bitter, and more orange-forward flavor profile.

Select Spritz

Uses Select Aperitivo, which is considered a midpoint between Campari and Aperol in terms of bitterness and flavor, often garnished with a green olive. This is the traditional Venetian spritz.

Hugo Spritz

Replaces the bitter liqueur with elderflower syrup or liqueur (like St-Germain) and is garnished with mint and lime, resulting in a floral and sweet spritz.

Variations

Campari and Soda

A simpler version that omits the prosecco, mixing just Campari and soda water for a less alcoholic and purely bitter-herbal drink.

Americano

Uses sweet vermouth and soda water instead of prosecco, served in a highball or rocks glass. It's a stirred drink with similar bitter notes but a richer body.

Negroni Sbagliato

Also features Campari and sweet vermouth, but uses prosecco instead of gin (as found in a standard Negroni). It's essentially a spritz with the addition of vermouth, making it richer and more complex.

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