Campari Spritz
A vivid, bittersweet spritz marrying ruby bitter liqueur with dry sparkling wine and a lift of soda. Built over ice for crisp refreshment and a bright citrus aroma.
History of Campari Spritz
The Campari Spritz builds on the northern Italian spritz tradition, where wine was lengthened with soda for an easy aperitivo. As bittersweet liqueurs became popular, bartenders began swapping them into the template for colour and bite. The result was a simple, modern classic served over ice in a wine glass. Precise origins are unclear, as many bars across Italy and beyond adopted the format concurrently. The combination of bitter, bubbles, and citrus garnish fit neatly into the aperitivo culture of light, pre-dinner drinks. Its striking colour and low preparation barrier helped it spread quickly. Over the last decade, the spritz has become a global shorthand for leisurely, social drinking. The Campari version stands out for a firmer bitterness and deeper orange-red hue. It remains flexible, allowing small adjustments in ratio to suit mood and occasion.
Why the Campari Spritz Works
Bittersweet liqueur supplies the core flavour, combining citrus peel, herbs, and a measured sweetness. That sweetness tempers the bitterness, creating structure that survives melting ice. The vivid colour also enhances the visual appeal, priming the palate. Dry sparkling wine brings bubbles, acidity, and gentle fruit tones. Its dryness prevents the drink from becoming cloying, while the carbonation adds texture and a brisk finish. The interplay of bitter and bright keeps each sip lively. A short splash of soda lightens the body and adds snap without overwhelming the wine. Building over abundant, fresh ice keeps everything very cold and controls dilution. The result is a balanced, crisp aperitif that invites a second round without fatigue.
Should You Mix Ahead?
Avoid fully mixing ahead due to the sparkling components. Instead, pre-chill the bitter liqueur and sparkling wine in the fridge, and keep soda very cold. Pre-slice garnishes and set clean glassware in the freezer for a quick, frosty build. For a party, you can pre-dilute the bitter liqueur with a small amount of cold water and store it in a bottle. This speeds service and keeps bitterness even across rounds. Add chilled sparkling wine and soda to order to protect carbonation. If you must batch, combine the bitter liqueur and sparkling wine shortly before serving, keep on ice, and top with soda in the glass. Expect some loss of fizz over time. Pour small, frequent rounds to keep each serve lively.
Food & Snack Pairings
Salty snacks are the natural match: briny olives, salted crisps, and roasted nuts underline the aperitif style. The salt highlights citrus and reins in bitterness. A pinch of flaky salt on the orange garnish is a smart touch. Cured meats and firm cheeses complement the drink’s crisp bitterness. Try prosciutto-style ham, mortadella-style cold cuts, and a nutty hard cheese. Their savoury depth contrasts the spritz’s lift and clears the palate. Light seafood and fried bites also shine. Calamari, white anchovy toasts, or fried courgette flowers echo coastal aperitivo bars. The carbonation scrubs the palate, keeping fried dishes feeling clean and moreish.
How to Make Campari Spritz
Fill a large wine glass to the brim with fresh ice. Cold temperature and abundant ice ensure controlled dilution and bright carbonation. Warm ingredients will dull the drink, so chill everything beforehand. Measure the bitter liqueur and add it to the glass, then pour in the dry sparkling wine. Top with a short splash of soda. Give one gentle stir with a bar spoon to integrate without knocking out bubbles. Garnish with a fresh orange slice, expressing a little oil over the surface if you like. Serve immediately while the drink is at peak fizz. Adjust the soda by a half ounce either way to fine-tune intensity.
When to Serve
Serve as a pre-dinner aperitif when you want appetite-whetting bitterness and sparkle. Early evening on warm days is ideal. It is also a great first round at parties to set a relaxed pace. Summer is the natural season, but its moderate strength keeps it welcome year-round. In cooler months, dial back the soda for a slightly richer feel. The colour and bubbles suit celebrations without overwhelming guests. Daytime gatherings, brunches, and garden events benefit from its low effort and high impact. It travels well from kitchen to patio. Offer a non-alcoholic version alongside for inclusive hosting.
Common Mistakes
Using warm ingredients flattens flavour and fizz. Always chill the bitter, sparkling wine, and soda, and use a well-frozen glass if possible. Fill the glass fully with fresh, solid ice to minimise rapid melt.
Over-stirring knocks out carbonation and dulls aroma. Keep agitation to a single gentle turn just to combine. Pour sparkling wine first after the bitter to help blend without vigorous mixing.
Heavy hands with soda can wash out bitterness and texture. Start with a short splash and taste, adding a little more only if needed. If the drink feels too sharp, a thicker orange slice garnish adds a touch of balancing sweetness.
Recommended
Best amaro for Campari Spritz
Choose a classic, citrus-forward amaro with pronounced bitterness and a ruby hue for the familiar profile. You want a balance of peel, spice, and sugar that stands up to dilution and bubbles. Too sweet and the drink turns sticky; too bitter and it can taste harsh when very cold.
Best wine for Campari Spritz
Use a dry, lively sparkling wine with firm acidity to counter the amaro’s sweetness. Avoid off-dry styles that can make the spritz cloying. Fine bubbles add texture and a polished feel in the glass.
Taste Profile
Ingredients
Instructions
Chill and load the glass
Fill a large wine glass to the brim with fresh ice to ensure maximum chill and controlled dilution.
Add the bitter and wine
Measure in the bitter liqueur, then gently pour the dry sparkling wine into the glass.
Top with soda and integrate
Add the soda water and give one gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine without knocking out carbonation.
Garnish and serve
Garnish with an orange slice, expressing a little oil over the surface if desired. Serve immediately.
Bartender Tips
Keep everything cold
Chill the bitter, sparkling wine, soda, and glassware. Cold ingredients preserve fizz and make the drink snap.
Protect the bubbles
Stir only once and pour sparkling wine gently along the glass to limit agitation.
Fine-tune the balance
Adjust soda in 0.5 fl oz steps to suit intensity. A thicker orange slice softens bitterness naturally.
Use a non-alcoholic bitter aperitif, dry alcohol-free sparkling wine, and soda to mimic the structure. Keep the standard 2:3:1 ratio as a starting point. This preserves the familiar balance of bitter, bubbly, and refreshing. Because non-alcoholic bases are often less intense, consider a slightly larger measure of the bitter component. Keep everything very cold to sharpen flavours and enhance perception. Gentle stirring will maintain carbonation while integrating the drink. Finish with a fresh orange slice to amplify aroma and provide a little sweetness. If the drink tastes thin, add a pinch of salt to brighten flavours. Serve immediately for maximum fizz and snap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best ratio for a balanced Campari Spritz?
Start with 2 parts bitter liqueur, 3 parts dry sparkling wine, and 1 part soda. This keeps bitterness in check while preserving lift and crispness. Adjust the soda by small amounts to suit your palate.
How do I keep the spritz cold and bubbly?
Chill every component and fill the glass with fresh, hard ice. Build in the glass and stir just once to integrate without stripping bubbles. Pour the sparkling wine gently down the inside of the glass to preserve fizz.
How strong does a Campari Spritz feel?
It drinks light to medium, with an ABV around the low teens once diluted. Bitterness adds flavour intensity without heaviness, making it an easy aperitif. You can trim the bitter slightly for a softer profile.
Can I batch a spritz for a party?
Avoid fully batching with bubbles, which go flat quickly. Pre-chill and pre-dilute the bitter with a little cold water, then add sparkling wine and soda to order. Pour smaller rounds more often to keep each serve lively.
Hangover Risk
Risk Level
Hangover risk based on alcohol type, content, and serving size: 2/5. Always drink responsibly.
Recipe Rating
Based on 2 reviews