Perfect Campari Spritz

A perfect Campari Spritz is bold, refreshing, and bubbly! We first tried this classic Italian cocktail in Venice and have loved it ever since.

After our trip to Italy, I came home smitten with the Aperol Spritz and Adam fell for the bolder and more bitter Campari Spritz. If you enjoy Campari’s complex, bittersweet flavor or enjoy Negronis, I bet you’ll love the Campari Spritz cocktail.

A Campari Spritz is less sweet and more herbal than the Aperol Spritz. If you are like Adam and prefer drier cocktails with a touch of bitterness, this really could become your new favorite cocktail!

Key Ingredients

• Campari: Look for Campari next to liqueurs and bitters, like Amaro. It’s a bold, bitter liqueur with herbal, spicy, and citrusy notes. It’s not for everyone but is excellent for those who enjoy complex flavors. It’s often enjoyed on the rocks with a splash of soda or as a key ingredient in classic cocktails like the Negroni.
• Prosecco: Look for Prosecco next to sparkling wines. This Italian sparkling wine tastes light, crisp, and fruity. Look for Brut on the label, which means the Prosecco is not sweet. Avoid sweeter styles of Prosecco, like Prosecco Dolce, which will make your cocktail too sweet. I look for mid-range bottles of Prosecco (just as I do when buying sparkling wine for mimosas). Small-batch producers or bottles with labels mentioning DOC or DOCG are usually more tasty and enjoyable if you can find them. If you have a local wine shop, ask the staff for guidance and their suggestions.
• Soda water: Plain soda water works nicely. You can also use club soda with minerals and salt added (I prefer this for flavor) or your favorite sparkling water brand.

How to Make a Campari Spritz

The classic Campari Spritz recipe uses a 3-2-1 ratio: that means 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Campari, and 1 part soda water. This mix gives you a flavorful drink that’s not overly sweet.

If you find Campari a bit too bitter, you can adjust the recipe. To make it less bitter, use a little less Campari and a bit more Prosecco. If you want a lower-alcohol drink, decrease both the Prosecco and Campari slightly and add more soda water. If Campari’s bitterness just isn’t for you, and you prefer something sweeter, try making our Aperol Spritz instead.

When making a Campari Spritz, I fill a wine glass with ice. Then, I add the Campari first, followed by the Prosecco, and finally top it off with the soda water. A fresh slice of orange makes the perfect garnish. You can give the drink a gentle stir, but be careful not to overdo it. You want to keep those lovely Prosecco bubbles!