Choosing between Campari and Aperol as your apéritif has proven hard except if you know the Campari Alcohol Content and compare it with that of Aperol in addition to other taste notes, calories, and content.
In this article, we will explain the difference between Campari and Aperol in terms of alcohol content, calories, aroma, and taste. Moreover, we will also discuss the alcohol percentage (proof) of Campari in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Italy among other countries. Finally, we will help you create a few cocktails with your Campari and give you their alcohol content.
While we know that Campari is an Italian alcoholic liqueur that is considered an apéritif. Campari is produced in different countries with different alcohol percentages. Let’s start with the alcohol content in Campari.
What is Campari Alcohol Content?
The alcohol content in Campari which is a bitter Italian liqueur that’s an apéritif depends on where it is sold but it ranges from 20.5% to 28.5% alcohol percentage by volume (41 proof to 57 proof). In the United States, Campari comes with an ABV of 24% (48 proof) making it bolder in alcohol content compared to Aperol (22 proof). In other countries and regions, you will find the alcohol content in Campari being 20.5%, 21%, 24%, 25%, or 28.5% ABV.
Therefore, Campari has a higher alcohol content compared to Aperol which has 11% alcohol content by volume (22 proof). Moreover, another apéritif Vermouth alcohol content is lower at 15–18% by volume compared to Campari.
By definition, an apéritif is a drink that is designed for sipping before taking a meal.
Campari is part of the family of Italian Amaros (meaning “little bitter”) and has a bitter, spicy, and sweet flavor. It was first produced by the Gaspare Campari in Novare, Northwest Italy in 1860. It has from that time spread to be a global phenomenon with consumption across all continents.
The high Campari alcohol content is finely balanced by the blend of 68 natural herbs, fruits, and spices, including cherry, clove, cinnamon, orange peel, rhubarb, and cinchona making it bitter, spicy, fruity, and sweet in flavor.
European countries such as Germany, receive the lowest-strength bottling of Campari, at 21% ABV (42 proof). The table below shows the alcohol by volume for different countries in the world:
| Country/ Region | Campari ABV | Campari Proof |
| United States of America | 24% ABV | 48 proof |
| Canada | 24% ABV | 48 proof |
| United Kingdom | 25% ABV | 50 proof |
| Australia | 25% ABV | 50 proof |
| Italy | 25% ABV | 50 proof |
| Germany | 21% ABV | 42 proof |
| Czech Republic | 21% ABV | 42 proof |
| Iceland | 21% ABV | 42 proof |
| Sweden | 21% ABV | 42 proof |
| Nigeria | 20.5% ABV | 41 proof |
| African countries | 20.5% ABV | 41 proof |
| Eastern Europe | 28.5% | 57 proof |
Campari Alcohol Content USA
Campari is a popular drink in the United States that is used as apéritif although people are exploring different uses lately. The Campari’s bitterness makes the liver produce extra amounts of bile which aid in digestion.
In the United States, Campari comes with an ABV of 24% (48 proof) making it bolder in alcohol content compared to Aperol (22 proof). This means that the Campari alcohol content in the United States is different in other countries thus giving you several different alcoholic strengths.
It has a signature Carmine color that is seen in the majority of the brewing cycle. The signature red color source is the carmine dye. The Campari exports to the U.S.A are labeled “Campari Aperitivo” rather than “Campari Bitter”.
Campari Alcohol Content United Kingdom
The Campari alcohol content in the U.K. is different from most other European countries. Eastern European countries have the highest ABV Campari at 28.5% ABV (57 proof) while Germany, Iceland, and Sweden receive the lowest-strength bottling, at 21 percent ABV.
The alcohol content of Campari in the United Kingdom is 25% ABV. The alcohol content is smack in the middle of the alcohol content by volume in European countries.
You will get the bitter liqueur at 700 Milliliters volume. The excellent thing to note about Campari is that you can drink Campari straight as a shot or an aperitif but it’s in most instances presented in cocktails
The Italian Spirit Aperitif is bottled in Brazil, France, and Switzerland in addition to its origin which is Italy. However, the bottling plants receive a concentrate made using the closely guarded secret recipe.
Campari Alcohol Content Australia
The alcohol content of Campari, a bitter and herbal taste with orange notes, is similar to that of the United Kingdom. The drink with typical gentian and woody notes in addition to the other tastes described above is used as an aperitif in every corner of Australia.
The alcohol content of Campari in Australia is 25% ABV (50 proof). The liquor contains a higher alcohol content compared to wines and beers which come at 12% and 5% ABV respectively. However, it has a lower alcohol content compared to distilled liquor (spirits) such as rum, whiskey, vodka, and gin whose ABV is 40% ABV on average.
The Campari is made using dry ingredients which are soaked in water for several days combined with other botanicals and macerated in distilled water and neutral ethanol (alcohol) for several weeks.
The end result of this process is an acrid mixture. This acrid mixture is drained to remove the solids, filtered, and then sweetened and tinted red. For Australia, the resultant Campari is watered down to suit the 25% alcohol content before export.
Campari Alcohol Content Italy
Northwest Italy is the origin of Campari as described above. It is made from the infusion of herbs and fruit with alcohol and water to produce a distinctive dark red liqueur. The different export Campari variants are made either in Italy, Brazil, Switzerland, or France.
The alcohol content of Campari in Italia is 25% ABV (50 proof). This is similar to several European countries and Australia.
The Campari is light in alcohol and playful compared to other bitters which are dark in color and high in alcohol content. This makes it excellent for stimulating the appetite as an aperitif, unlike other bitters that are great for post-dinner drinks.
Campari is served in Italy as Campari e soda or Campari e vino Bianco, also known as Campari macchiato but has concocted several other ways to take it. Several connoisseurs disclose that the simplest preparations are the best.
Campari Spritz Alcohol Content
The Campari alcohol content varies from 20.5% to 28.5% by volume (41 proof to 57 proof). Campari Spritz is a mixture of Campari with Prosecco and club soda.
Therefore, since a Spritz uses one to two ounces of Campari per glass, its alcohol content will be significantly lower compared to a shot of Campari.
The Spritz is refreshing and appetite-stimulating at any alcohol strength.
How to make Campari Spritz
To make a Campari Spritz, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ice
- Campari (1-2 ounces per glass)
- Prosecco (Italian DOC or DOCG white wine)
- Club soda
- Orange slices (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Fill the glasses that you want to make the Campari Spritz with ice.
- Pour 1-2 ounces of Campari into each glass.
- Top the glasses with prosecco and club soda to the required quantity. You can stir if required to combine.
- Then, add an orange slice for garnish.
- Serve immediately while the Spritz is still bubbly and cold. Enjoy!
Total time: 5 minutes.
The orange can be placed on top of the glass or dropped directly into the cocktail to make your Spritz taste better. Moreover, you should use a chilled Prosecco.
Campari Soda Alcohol Content
Campari Soda is a pre-mixed gentle drink that is available in the Italian market and is made by Campari. It is Campari mixed with soda water. The drink is sold in distinctive bottles that were designed in 1932 by Fortunato Depero.
The alcohol content of Campari Soda is 10% alcohol content by volume (20 proof). Therefore the single-serve aperitif has a moderate alcohol content and is packed with a unique and incomparable flavor.
You can also make homemade Campari Soda if you have Campari and soda water. However, for this mixture, the alcoholic strength of this drink will depend on the amount of soda you pour and the Campari bottling strength since the proof depends on the country. For example, if you are using the U.S. Campari and are making a 3:1 mix of soda water to Campari, your final ABV will be 6% (12 proof).
How to make Campari and Soda (recipe)
To make a Campari and soda, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ice
- Campari (2 ounces per glass)
- Soda water (6 ounces per glass)
- Orange slice or lemon slice (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Fill the highball glasses that you want to make the Campari and soda with ice.
- Pour 2 ounces of Campari into each glass.
- Top the glasses with 6 ounces of soda water. You can stir if required to combine.
- Then, add an orange slice or lemon slice for garnish.
- Serve immediately while the Campari and soda is still bubbly and cold. Enjoy!
To make the best-tasting Campari and Soda drink, ensure that you use an unsweetened carbonated beverage such as club soda, seltzer, or sparkling water. However, you can change the taste of the drink to a sweeter one by using ginger ale instead of soda water. Some mixologists also substitute the soda water with sparkling wine or add sweet Vermouth to the finished drink to make an Americano cocktail.
Campari Orange Alcohol Content
Another variation of Campari is Campari Orange, named after Giuseppe Garibaldi as Garibaldi cocktail, which is one of the simplest Italian cocktails to make. You just need two ingredients (Campari and freshly squeezed orange juice) to make it and you can make it within three minutes.
The Campari Orange (Garibaldi cocktail) has 6.9% alcohol content by volume. The Garibaldi cocktail is made with a hand-held frother to aerate the cocktail.
However, some of the bars serve Campari, Vodka, and Orange Cocktail which has a higher alcohol content comparatively.
Aperol vs Campari alcohol content
Aperol seems to be a softer, slightly sweeter (fewer bitter notes), slightly less alcoholic version of Campari. This means that Aperol is a little lighter and friendlier compared to Campari. The taste of Aperol differs from that of Campari.
Campari has a higher alcohol content of between 20.5% to 28.5% alcohol percentage by volume (41 proof to 57 proof) compared to Aperol which has 11% alcohol content by volume (22 proof).
You will fall in love with the light and sweet with vibrant grapefruit and orange candy notes, and a subtle background of bitter spices in an Aperol. This differs from the deep orange peel flavor, intense herbal bitterness, and complex notes of rhubarb, dark cinnamon and spices taste that you will find in a Campari. Aperol will give you gentian and cinchona flower hints too.
A red amaro such as Knight Gabriello Rosso Amaro or Aperix Aperativo is the nearest thing to Campari though.
Is Aperol a Campari?
Even though Aperol and Campari are similar, they are pretty different. Both are Italian aperitifs but the alcohol content, taste, and presentation are different.
Campari is more distinctly bitter with an intense citrus peel and herbal bitterness as compared to the sweeter Aperol which contains hints of bitter orange and both gentian and cinchona flowers.
Even the color of the two is different. Aperol has a bright orange color which is very distinct from Campari‘s dark red color. Aperol was invented in 1919 compared to 1860 for Campari.
Aperol makes the cut as the favorite Italian light aperitif while Campari is famous the world over.
Campari Cocktails
- Negroni: Made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and gin.
- Americano: Made with Campari and sweet vermouth
- Garibaldi: Made with Campari and orange juice that is shaken until frothy.
- Campari Cocktail: Made with Campari, vodka, and Angostura bitters.
- Campari and Soda: Made with two parts soda to one of Campari or 3:1.
- Boulevardier: Made with 1.25 ounces of bourbon (whiskey or rye), one ounce of Campari, one ounce of sweet vermouth, and an orange twist to garnish.
- Venetian Blush Campari Cocktail: Made with Campari, Vodka, Orange juice, Pomegranate juice, and Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa sparkling soda (chilled).
Conclusion
We have gone through the alcohol content of Campari in different countries and compared it with that of Aperol. This will help you in crafting your favorite cocktail.
Campari alcohol content varies from 20.5% ABV to 28.5% ABV (41 proof to 57 proof) in different markets which is a higher alcohol content compared to Aperol which has 11% alcohol content by volume (22 proof).
We have also given you ingredients and recipes for different cocktails made using this popular Italian aperitif. Enjoy!
Kindly comment on the best Campari cocktail that you have tasted in the comment section below:
Sources
https://www.foodandwine.com/cocktails-spirits/difference-between-campari-aperol
