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Italy is a land of many wonders and one of them is the Campari Spritz. A sparkling elixir served over ice, this iconic Italian cocktail blends the elegance of Prosecco with the distinctive bitterness of Campari and the bubbly charm of club soda. Garnished with a fresh orange slice, it’s the perfect companion for a hot summer day.
From the scenic Italian coastlines to your very own home, this vivacious cocktail is a beautifully balanced dance of flavors: bitter, sweet, and effervescent, brimming with vibrant citrusy notes. It sings of sun-soaked citrus groves and alluring Italian aperitivo traditions.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need to Make Campari Spritz
- Prosecco: Choose a dry Prosecco, it provides the right balance of bubbles and acidity. Look for bottles labeled “Brut” or “Extra Dry.”
- Campari: The star of this drink, Campari is a bitter liqueur known for its vibrant red color and uniquely herbaceous flavor profile.
- Club Soda: Adds a fizzy touch to the cocktail. Any brand will do, just be sure that it’s cold and fresh.
- Fresh Orange: Choose ripe, juicy oranges with a rich color. They’ll provide both flavor and a vibrant garnish.
What is a Campari Spritz?
In Italy the Campari Spritz is considered an aperitif or aperitivo – a refreshing, before dinner cocktail. It’s a simple mixture of Campari, club soda water, prosecco, ice cubes and an orange slice.
As for amounts, I like what wikipedia has to say: “The Spritz’s recipe is shrouded in mystery, or perhaps never existed. There isn’t a unique composition for a spritz because it changes in every city or small town where the bartenders freely interpret the doses and the entire preparation.” So I’ll share the recipe of how we make it, but encourage you to adjust the amounts to make it your own.
Aperol Spritz vs Campari Spritz
Campari and Aperol are both Italian aperitifs. While they’re used to make similar “spritz” cocktails, they have distinctly different flavors. Aperol has a lighter, sweeter flavor with a lower alcohol content, while Campari has a more robust, bitter flavor and a higher alcohol content.
Recipe Variations
The beauty of this cocktail lies in its versatility. Here are just a few ideas for adding your own twist:
- Make your garnish from a fresh blood orange for a richer color and a slightly different taste. Or go with a fresh lemon slice to add a sharp, tangy finish.
- Swap Prosecco for a different sparkling wine like Spanish cava, or French Champagne.
- Use tonic water in place of club soda for an even more complex flavor profile.
Tips and Tricks
- Chill your ingredients before mixing to avoid melting the ice and diluting your cocktail too quickly.
- Pour the Prosecco first, then Campari, then top up with soda water to prevent over-foaming.
- Use a vegetable peeler for an elegant, wide orange peel twist.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Skip sweet Prosecco or a sugary soda, as it could overpower the bitter elements of Campari and make your cocktail overly sweet.
- Don’t skip the garnish! The orange slice and twist of peel add a crucial flavor component.
FAQ
Both are Italian aperitifs, but Campari has a less sweet / more bitter flavor profile and a higher alcohol content than Aperol.
Campari has a unique bitter flavor with notes of herbs, fruits, and spices.
Yes, Campari can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or mixed in cocktails.
Easy to prepare, and even easier to enjoy, the Campari Spritz is the epitome of Italian elegance and a celebration of summer in a glass.
More Must-Try Cocktail (and Mocktail) Recipes
If you’re looking for more cocktail inspiration, I recommend these:
- Peach Bellini Recipe (made famous in Venice!)
- Rhubarb Cocktail (with fresh rhubarb and rosemary simple syrup)
- French 75 Cocktail
- Non-Alcoholic Sangria
- Virgin Margarita
Campari Spritz
Ingredients
- 3 ounces Prosecco
- 2 ounces Campari or Aperol
- 1 ounce club soda
- 1 slice orange
Instructions
- Fill a large wine glass (~16 ounce) or tumbler with ice cubes. Add Prosecco then Campari and club soda; stir gently. Serve garnished with an orange slice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this campari spritz recipe for a party. It was horrible. Way too much campari. The only way it was even tolerable was to add more prosecco. Do NOT recommend.
Hi, Jenifer. I’m sorry you were disappointed with this one. The interesting thing is that I call for a lower ratio of Campari to Prosecco/club soda than many of the spritz recipes you’ll find digitally and in print (I like Prosecco-forward spritz cocktails). You may prefer Aperol, reminiscent of Campari, but less bitter and with lower alcohol.
I’m loving the colour of this drink. I can definitely see this one becoming a summertime favourite!
Thanks so much, Bee!
So fun forme to discover your site and post. I just returned from a month in Italy and after watching spritz after spritz be ordered, I finally decided to order one towards the end of this visit while in Bellagio. Loved it and regret not opening up to them earlier! I had a great trip and did a lot but your trip has me plotting a return.
Came across your blog looking for spicy deviled eggs. Glad I did, because I can’t wait to try many of your recipes and read about your stories. We currently live in Italy, north of Venice. Will be here for a few years…looking forward to seeing all these beautiful places as well. Been to Venice. Wonderful. What was your favorite destination??
That’s so sweet, Lisa! I honestly don’t think I have a favorite destination in Italy. If we did the trip again, I’d still want to go everywhere!! We absolutely loved the Venice Biennale – the enormous art exhibition that happens every two years. It was a highlight of our trip!
This looks fantastic and your story reminded me of my mom and how when she went to England and came back loving Pimms Cup.
You want to know something ridiculous? I’m a gin lover and have never even tried Pimms Cup!
This drink looks very refreshing and I should try it around the holidays! I kind of thought there is no exact Spritz recipe and you just confirmed that 🙂
Thanks, Mira. I never measure it, to be honest – but it always tastes good!
Your cocktail just took us back to Italy in our minds! September is a lovely time to go, but this year has been quite hot.
It was so hot when we were there too! But lovely all the same. 🙂
I am loving the color of this Marissa! It looks like it tastes amazing! I love your pictures too! So pretty! xoxo
That’s so sweet Kristi! Thank you.
Italians really love their campari! This sounds like such a refreshing drink. Definitely a fun inclusion in holiday beverages!
So true! Thanks, Joanne…
This is a great cocktail using prosecco! I’m actually not a fan of it – not even the expensive stuff – too sweet for me. But mixed up it’s a great cocktail ingredient because of the sweetness. This is defiantly making an appearance at my Christmas party!
aww, thanks Nagi!
Definitely a delicious cocktail I need to make in the upcoming Christmas period!
Thanks, Thalia!
Ahhh aperitivo hour! We enjoyed that recently-such a nice way to live! I’m off to read your guide on Italy, one of my favourite destinations ever 😀
That’s saying a lot, Lorraine, you’ve been everywhere!! 🙂 Thank you!
You and your husband wrote an Italy travel guide!! so cool!!! If I ever go, I’m buying it!! I so want to go one of these days! love love love drinks like this! so fun and refreshing!
aww, thanks Alice!
Yum! This looks absolutely refreshing and satisfying!
It really is, Carla. And so easy to make!
I was an avid follower of the 65 Days in Italy blog, I can truly say Marissa you and Keith brought that country alive. Your stories, pictures, and daily adventures made one feel they were with you the whole trip.
Keep cooking and blogging, but I think it is time for another 65 day adventure… Spain, Portugal, maybe Greece.
Colo (Tom) – we so enjoyed interacting with you during the trip. You truly made the trip more fun and you gave us some great tips along the way!