Campari Soda Cocktail Recipe

I love making simple, classic cocktails that taste great and don’t take much time. The Campari Soda is honestly one of the easiest and most refreshing drinks I can whip up at home with almost zero effort.

This Italian cocktail only needs two main ingredients. It’s perfect if you’re after something crisp and just a little bit bitter.

When I want a light drink before dinner or need something to serve friends, I go for this recipe. It takes just a couple minutes, and that bright red color always looks fantastic in the glass—almost too pretty to drink, honestly.

Campari Soda Cocktail Recipe

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I find the Campari Soda cocktail is simple, but it’s also incredibly refreshing. It brings together the bitterness of Campari with fizzy soda water, so you get a crisp, vibrant drink every time.

John

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Serving Size 1

Equipment

• Rocks glass or highball glass: I usually reach for a sturdy tumbler or rocks glass.
• Bar spoon: Good for gently stirring things together.
• Jigger: Helps me measure the Campari properly.
• Ice: I use several medium or big cubes to keep things cold.
• Citrus zester or peeler: For making a nice orange or lemon twist as garnish.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Campari
• 3 to 4 ounces soda water chilled
• Ice cubes
• 1 orange slice or twist for garnish
• Lemon twist instead of orange for a brighter aroma

Instructions

• Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes.
• Add 2 ounces of Campari over the ice.
• Pour in 3 to 4 ounces of chilled soda water (just adjust to your taste).
• Stir gently with a bar spoon once or twice. I try not to overdo it, or the bubbles disappear fast.
• Garnish with an orange slice or twist—either on the rim or floating in the drink.
• Serve right away so it stays cold and fizzy.

Notes

I always use big, fresh ice cubes—they melt slower and don’t water things down as quickly.

Chilling the glass before pouring really helps the cocktail stay crisp. If I’m using lemon instead of orange, I like to squeeze a little peel oil over the top for extra aroma.

Campari Soda’s low in alcohol and pairs well with salty snacks, olives, or cheese. Sometimes I’ll use extra soda for an even lighter drink. Or, if I’m in the mood for something a bit sweeter, a splash of orange juice does the trick.

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Tasting Notes

When I take that first sip of a Campari Soda, there’s this gentle fizz from the soda water. The bubbles rush up, making the drink feel lively and just a bit playful.

The flavor kicks off with a bitter orange hit from the Campari. There’s a subtle herbal edge in the background, which I really notice after the first taste.

I sometimes pick up hints of cherry and a touch of sweetness, but yeah—the bitterness is what stands out most.

Some things I always notice with each sip:

• Bitter orange is front and center
• The bubbles keep it feeling fresh
• There’s a soft sweetness that balances out the bitterness

I like that this drink isn’t too strong or heavy. It stays crisp all the way through. The bitterness hangs around, which makes it feel clean and honestly pretty nice for slow sipping.

Substitute

Sometimes, I run out of Campari. Other times, I just feel like mixing things up and trying something different.

There are a few substitutes I can use to get a similar cocktail vibe.

For Campari, I might try:

• Aperol: Sweeter and less bitter than Campari
• Cappelletti: Herbal and faintly bitter for a gentler taste
• Select Aperitivo: A Venetian style with a balanced profile

If I don’t have soda water, no big deal. I’ll swap in something else:

• Sparkling water
• Club soda
• Tonic water (for a touch of bitterness)

Equipment:

• Glass
• Spoon for stirring

Ingredients:

• Substitute aperitif (Aperol, Cappelletti, or Select)
• Substitute soda (sparkling or tonic water)
• Ice

Instructions:

• Fill the glass with ice.
• Pour in the substitute aperitif.
• Add your soda or tonic.
• Stir gently to combine.

I always taste and adjust the ratio to my liking. Some substitutes might need more or less soda—who really knows until you try?