Enjoy aperitivo the Italian way with our easy Campari and Orange recipe! The simple mix of Campari and fresh orange juice makes for a light, refreshing cocktail you’ll be making again and again.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
165
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Campari
- 4 oz fresh orange juice
- Ice cubes
- Orange slice or twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Highball Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
- Optional: handheld frother or blender
Instructions
- Squeeze oranges so you have more or less 4 oz fresh orange juice.
- Optional: Transfer the juice inside a large glass or bow. Using a handheld frother, mix it to aerate it and make it “fluffy”. Another way of doing this is putting the orange juice in a blender and blend it on high speed without ice for 10-15 seconds.
- Fill your highball glass with ice cubes.
- Pour 1½ oz Campari over the ice.
- Add 4 oz fresh orange juice into the glass.
- Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently.
- Place an orange slice or twist into the glass for garnish.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Campari: You can use any brand of aperitivo bitter you like for this recipe (Strucchi, Select, Gran Classico Bitter, Martini Bitter…). If you don't have any on hand, Aperol is a good alternative. It's slightly sweeter less bitter but still brings that orange essence.
- Orange Juice: Bottled orange juice can work as well, although we highly recommend using fresh orange juice to make this cocktail shine. If you're out of oranges, you can also use grapefruit juice for a more tart flavor. Blood oranges are also a great option.
Making a Pitcher:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 12 oz of Campari and 32 oz of fresh orange juice.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Campari and orange juice. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual ice-filled highball glasses, garnish with an orange slice or twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Campari Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic aperitif or for bitter soft drinks such as Crodino (prefer the red one) or San Bitter. To give it an additional twist, you can also make a simple syrup infused with orange and grapefruit peels; a drop of this syrup will give your drink an extra touch of both fruitiness and bitterness.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular ingredient, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
It seems that Campari is not vegan friendly as small amounts of gelatines appeared to be used during the filtration process. For this reason, you may want to switch to another bitter liqueur (Select Aperitivo is a vegan-friendly alternative). Remember to always check your ingredients' labels as well as the brands’ websites to ensure they meet your dietary requirements.What is a Campari and Orange?
A Campari and Orange, also known as a Garibaldi cocktail, is a bitter, fruity cocktail made of Campari liqueur and fresh orange juice. This drink is not complicated as it only requires two ingredients: Campari and orange juice, typically served over ice in a highball glass. It’s an ideal choice for those who enjoy refreshing drinks with a bit of bite.
Despite its simplicity, this cocktail offers a sophisticated taste experience due to the complexity of its main ingredient – Campari. The recipe for this Italian spirit has been kept secret since 1860, but we know it involves various herbs and spices, which give the drink its unique flavor profile when combined with the natural sweetness from the oranges.
What is a Campari and Orange made of – The ingredients
To begin crafting your Campari and Orange, assemble these ingredients:
- Campari: A bitter Italian aperitif that gives the cocktail its distinctive red color and unique flavor.
- Fresh Orange Juice: Adds a sweet, tangy taste to balance out the bitterness of the Campari.
- Ice Cubes: Used to chill the drink without diluting the strong flavors.
- Orange Slice or Twist (Optional): Serves as a garnish, enhancing the presentation and adding a hint of extra citrus flavor.
