Entertaining

7 Best Campari Cocktails

If you own a bottle of Campari, chances are you’re using it to make Negronis on the daily. The classic aperitif is considered by many to be the ultimate in cocktail alchemy, hitting on sweet, bitter, dry and botanical notes with every sip. With equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, it’s nearly impossible to screw up.

Should you dare mess with the Negroni’s sacred ingredient list, it better be by adding rye whiskey to the mix in place of gin. That simple swap transforms the bright, bracing drink into a round and mellow cocktail that still manages to maintain the Negroni’s signature Campari edge.

How about ditching the hard liquor altogether in favor of just Campari and sweet vermouth? The two liqueurs stand just fine on their own, especially when topped with bubbly club soda and an orange twist. It’s a light, revitalizing and low-ABV aperitivo, ideal for all-day sipping.

This modern-day classic twists the grapefruity Hemingway Daiquiri by swapping in silver tequila for rum, and Campari for maraschino liqueur. The result is tart and refreshing, with bittersweet grapefruit playing up Campari’s candied orange notes. It’s a wonderful cocktail to enjoy before taking a siesta of your own.

Dark and mysterious, the Jungle Bird features two boozy heavyweights—bittersweet Campari and funky blackstrap rum—to yield a layered, unconventional tiki cocktail, balanced out with pineapple and lime juice. It’s the tropical way to drink through a bottle of Campari.

When the heat of summer hits, there’s nothing better than juicy watermelon to cool you down. In this icy cocktail by Ignacio Jimenez of New York City's Ghost Donkey, watermelon pureé is blended with blanco tequila, strawberry syrup and Campari. The amaro balances out the sweeter elements of the drink, while a spicy Sriracha salt rim gives the cocktail a fiery kick.

The Negroni has a stiff upper lip, often taken too seriously by bartenders and drinkers alike. So how do you inject some fun into the drink? Turn it into an ice cream float. Created by Pamela Wiznitzer of New York City’s Seamstress, this Negroni float is topped with a heap of vanilla ice cream and fizzy vanilla soda. Garnish it with tons of rainbow sprinkles for an extra dose of childhood nostalgia.