Campari substitutes are a staple behind any professional bar since this key ingredient may not always be available. Campari is a great addition to home liquor cabinets, but if you don’t have any on hand, there are some excellent substitutes to make your cocktails work.
Campari is a dark red liqueur classified as an ‘aperitif’, meaning that it is intended to be drunk before a meal to stimulate the appetite. It is made by infusing citrus and bitter herbs in alcohol and is one of a group of spirits called ‘bitters’. Campari is the trademark name of the spirit that originated in Italy and is made from its own recipe. Classic cocktails that feature Campari are the Negroni, Boulevardier, and Americano. Campari is featured in many craft cocktails and can balance the sweetness of juices or syrups. [1]
Campari Substitutes
There are many types of bitters, aperitifs, and digestifs in the world, so if you don’t have a bottle of Campari in your home bar, try substitutes like Aperol, Fernet Branca, luxardo bitter, cynar, and other homemade bitters for a new flavor experience.
Campari is a bright red Italian bitter alcoholic drink. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Aperol
This Italian aperitif is Campari’s closest cousin in terms of taste. Its red coloring comes from rhubarb and other bitter herbs. Aperol is sweeter and slightly less bitter than Campari and has a much lower alcohol content.
Fernet Branca
There are many brands of fernet, but Fernet Branca is the most popular in the United States. It is dark red, herbaceous, and minty. It holds up to being shaken with citrus or stirred with overproof liquors. [2]
Luxardo Bitter or Maraschino Liqueur
The Italian Luxardo brand produces several excellent aperitifs. Luxardo Bitter is bright cherry red in color and is an attractive and delicious substitute for Campari. Luxardo Maraschino is clear, herbal, sweet, and a bit funky. Both mix perfectly with gin, whiskey, sparkling wine, and many others.
Cynar
As the use of bitters becomes more popular in the US, people have gravitated toward less sweet varieties. Cynar is unique because it is made with artichokes. This gives the bitters an earthy, funky quality, making it an excellent replacement in a Negroni or Boulevardier. [3]
Homemade Bitters
For the very adventurous drinkers, you can even make your own bitters by infusing herbs in vodka. Choose aromas like clove, orange peel, and anise, or even cocoa, cayenne, and vanilla. When steeped properly, you can create aromatic alcohol and enjoy a one-of-a-kind cocktail.
Adverse risks associated with alcohol consumption: The risks involved with drinking excessive alcohol can be short term such as violence and injuries to long-term health risks such as chronic diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who should not drink alcohol include women who are pregnant, individuals younger than 21 years of age, and people who are recovering from alcoholism or cannot control the amount they drink. Also, it should be avoided by people who are planning to drive or any other activity that required focus and skill. [4]
