Campari Spritz

The Campari spritz just might become the sip of the summer! It’s the cocktail equivalent of wearing red lipstick to the grocery store: effortless, confident and begging to be noticed. The bold, bitter and bubbly drink is only three ingredients and follows an easy 3-2-1 formula: three parts Prosecco, two parts Campari and one part club soda. Memorize it once, and you can impress forever!

This cocktail also happens to be a cornerstone of aperitivo, which is Italy’s gloriously civilized answer to happy hour. Aperitivo consists of more than just a drink—it’s a ritual. It’s a pre-dinner moment to whet your appetite, clink glasses and nibble something salty while making plans (or canceling them in favor of more spritzes). Campari’s complex, bittersweet profile is tailor-made for this exact kind of Italian magic: one part unwind, one part appetite prep, all parts fabulous.

Campari Spritz vs. Aperol Spritz

Ah, the age-old spritz showdown. If the Aperol spritz is a soft breeze through Venice, the Campari spritz is a dramatic hair toss on a Vespa zipping through Rome. A Campari spritz recipe is for the bold—the folks who like a little edge with their effervescence. It is a little more bitter and richer in color (imagine a deep ruby hue) and has a slightly higher ABV than its orange counterpart. Meanwhile, the Aperol spritz is light, bright and sweet, and it is besties with brunch. There’s a reason it’s taken the world by storm in recent years.

Both follow the same bubbly formula: bitter aperitif + sparkling wine + soda. Pick your fighter!

Ingredients for Campari Spritz

• Campari: Campari is the red bitter aperitif that packs all the Italian drama. It’s herbal, citrusy and complex.
• Prosecco (or other dry sparkling wine): Prosecco brings the fizz and the flirt. Choose something crisp, dry and not too sweet so the drink doesn’t veer into cloying territory. If you need a substitution, try champagne or Spanish cava.
• Club soda: No one wants a flat spritz, and just a splash of club soda adds lightness and that effervescent kick. Club soda has more minerals and a slight salinity, whereas seltzer or sparkling water is 100% water. Club soda is the recommendation here, since the faintest touch of salt enhances all the other flavors.
• Slice of orange to garnish: An orange slice garnish is classic and is like a little citrus crown for your cocktail. You can express the oils of an orange twist onto the rim of the glass, but a whole wheel or slice of orange is more festive.

Directions

Step 1: Prep your glass

In a large wine glass, add ice until three-quarters full.

Editor’s Tip: If you want to show off, chill your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before pouring the drink.

Step 2: Build your cocktail

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Pour the Campari over the ice.

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Top with the Prosecco.

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Finish with the club soda.

Editor’s Tip: Always add the bubbles after the Campari to help with mixing and to keep the fizz alive.

Step 3: Garnish and serve

Serve with a straw and an orange garnish.

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Campari Spritz Variations

• Make it milder: Use slightly less Campari and a little more Prosecco if you’re easing into the bitter drink world and want something more sparkly than earthy. On the other end of the spectrum, an extra dash of Campari takes the drink from bitter to truly jaded.
• Reconsider a rosé spritz: Sub in a sparkling rosé for a floral, pink twist on the classic. It softens the edge of the Campari without dulling the kick.
• Give your garnish a glow-up: Feeling adventurous? Trust the Italians and add a green olive (or two). The salty, earthy goodness is the perfect contrast to the bitter bubbles. You can even spike the olive between a folded orange slice and get the best of both worlds.
• Try it with La Croix: Replace the club soda with a citrusy La Croix—like pamplemousse or lemon—for a lightly flavored twist that keeps the sparkle and adds a whisper of fruit flavor.

Campari Spritz Tips

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What’s the best type of glass for a Campari spritz recipe?

A large wine glass or balloon glass gives the drink room to breathe, swirl and clink. Bonus: A bigger glass translates to more space for ice. If you’re worried about a rambunctious crowd, stemless wine glasses are gorgeous and a little less breakable.

What can you serve with a Campari spritz?

Salty snacks are the key to aperitivo hour. Think: an antipasto platter or a charcuterie board with olives, chips, cured meats and almonds. Any Italian appetizers will work, as long as they make you say “mmm” between sips.