Campari
Campari is an Italian alcoholic liqueur, considered an apéritif of the bitter variety by Italians while considered an apéritif of the amaro variety by Americans, obtained from the infusion of herbs and fruit in alcohol and water. It is a type of bitters, characterised by its dark red colour. It is produced by the Davide Campari Group, a multinational company based in Italy.
History
Campari was invented in 1860 by Gaspare Campari in Novara, Italy. It was originally coloured with carmine dye, derived from crushed cochineal insects, which gave the drink its distinctive red colour. Campari Group discontinued the use of carmine in 2006.In 1904, Campari's first production plant was opened in Sesto San Giovanni, near Milan, Italy. Under the direction of Davide Campari, Gaspare's son, the company began to export the beverage, first to Nice in the heart of the French Riviera, then overseas.
The Campari brand is now distributed in over 190 countries. Campari is a registered trademark of Davide Campari Milano S.P.A., which is part of Gruppo Campari.
Russian market
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Campari Group announced the suspension of all investments in Russia, including advertising and promotional activities, and scaled down operations to the minimum necessary to pay its local staff. Despite these measures, Campari's products remain available in the Russian market. In August 2023, reports indicated that Campari planned to introduce a new aperitif, Sarti Rosa, in Russia, suggesting a potential expansion of its product offerings in the country. As of December 2024, Campari Group continues to operate in Russia.Use
Campari is often used in cocktails and is commonly served with soda water or citrus juice, often garnished with either blood orange or blood lime slice or mixed with prosecco as a spritz.Campari is an essential ingredient in several IBA official cocktails : the negroni, the Americano, the boulevardier, and the old pal, as well as other drinks such as the Garibaldi. It is a common ingredient in spritzes, though other apéritif bitters are also common.
In the Italian market, Campari mixed with soda water is sold in individual bottles as Campari Soda. Campari Soda is packaged in a distinctive bottle that was designed by Italian artist Fortunato Depero in 1932.