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!
Perfect Campari Spritz
We love this classic Campari Spritz cocktail recipe with Campari, Prosecco, and soda water. We first tried it in Italy and have loved it ever since. A Campari Spritz tastes bitter and herbal with citrus notes. It’s bold, refreshing, and effervescent (bubbly).
1 cocktail
Watch Us Make the Recipe
You Will Need
3 ounces (90ml) Prosecco, look for Brut (dry) Prosecco
2 ounces (60ml) Campari
1 ounce (30ml) soda water, club soda, or sparkling water
Orange slices
Directions
1Fill a wine glass halfway with ice and add the Campari. Slowly stream in the Prosecco and soda water. The cocktail should mix by itself as you pour in the Prosecco, but you can use a long spoon and gently swirl around the glass to combine.
2Slide in an orange slice and enjoy!
Adam and Joanne’s Tips
- Prosecco: We recommend mid-range Brut or extra Brut Prosecco. Sweeter styles will make the cocktail too sweet.
- Soda water: Use soda water, club soda, or your favorite sparkling water. I love club soda since it has a little salt added, which I think makes this cocktail taste even better.
- Adjusting to your tastes: Campari tastes bitter. If you find the bitterness overwhelming, reduce the Campari slightly and increase the Prosecco. For a less bitter cocktail, substitute the Campari for Aperol, which tastes sweeter.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
Nutrition Per Serving
Serving Size
1 cocktail
/
Calories
231
/
Total Fat
0g
/
Saturated Fat
0g
/
Cholesterol
0mg
/
Sodium
10.7mg
/
Carbohydrate
17.8g
/
Dietary Fiber
0g
/
Total Sugars
16.8g
/
Protein
0.1g
