Campari Soda

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A classic Campari soda made with just two ingredients. Lightly bitter, beautifully refreshing, and perfect for an effortless Italian style aperitivo at home.

Campari soda is one of those effortlessly elegant drinks that feels like summer in a glass. Bright, bold, and beautifully bitter, this classic Campari soda drink comes together with just two ingredients, Campari and sparkling soda water. If you are searching for a simple Campari and soda that is refreshing, colorful, and wonderfully grown up, this little Italian classic delivers every time. And no, it is not the same as a Campari Spritz made with prosecco, though that one has its own charm too.

I first noticed a Campari soda at my parents’ friends’ house when I was little. While we children were busy playing, the adults sat together with glowing red glasses that looked almost magical to me. I remember being told that one day I could try it, but that I probably would not like it because it was too bitter. Back then, I could not understand why anyone would drink something that was not sweet.

Now, many years later, I finally understand. The gentle bitterness, the lively fizz, the deep ruby color that catches the light just right. It feels nostalgic, a little elegant, and wonderfully refreshing.

If you are planning a cozy gathering, serve your Campari soda with a fruity Peach Melba, a creamy Fig Cheesecake in a Glass, soft Coconut Muffins with Fig Jam Filling, or a dreamy Limoncello Ricotta Cake for the perfect sweet and bitter balance.

👣 Step-by-Step

Step 1

Cubed ice, into a chilled serving glass.

Step 2

Add 1 oz (30 ml) Campari over the ice.

Step 3

Top with about 3 oz (90 ml) chilled soda water, depending on the glass size.

Step 4

Garnish with a homemade lemon twist.

🍸 Tips for the Best Campari Soda

• Use very cold soda water. The colder it is, the brighter and more refreshing the drink tastes.
• Add the soda water gently to keep the bubbles lively and prevent the drink from going flat.
• Choose a tall glass if you prefer a lighter, more diluted aperitivo-style drink.
• Prepare your lemon twist in advance so the drink comes together in seconds. You can find it in my step-by-step guide here.
• If you are new to Campari, start with a little more soda water and adjust to your taste.

🍽 Equipment

• Jigger for measuring
• Serving glasses
• Sharp knife
• Chopping board
• Lemon twist for garnish. You can find more details about making them in my step-by-step guide.

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Campari Soda

A refreshing Campari soda made with just two ingredients. This classic Campari and soda drink is lightly bitter, bubbly, and perfect as an easy Italian style aperitivo for warm afternoons or elegant aperitivo moments.

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5 from 4 votes

Prep Time:2 minutes mins

Total Time:2 minutes mins

Equipment

• Jigger
• Serving Glass
• Sharp knife
• Chopping board
• Lemon twist garnish

Ingredients

• Cubed Ice
• 1 oz Campari
• 3 oz Soda water or more, depending on glass size
• 1 lemon twist prepared in advance

Metric – US Customary

Instructions

• Fill a serving glass with Cubed Ice.
  Cubed Ice
• Add 1 oz Campariover the ice.
  1 oz Campari
• Top with about 3 oz Soda water (chilled), depending on the glass size.
  3 oz Soda water
• Place 1 lemon twist on top of the glass as a garnish.
  1 lemon twist

Notes

This drink is best prepared fresh rather than batched. For easy hosting, keep plenty of well chilled bubbly water on hand. A siphon or SodaStream helps guests refresh their drinks themselves while keeping the sparkle bright. Always serve with properly cooled ingredients and glasses for the most refreshing experience.

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Servings: 1 Serving

Calories: 79kcal

Author: Nora

⛑️ Food Safety

• Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
• Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
• Wash hands after touching raw meat
• Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

For further information, check Safe Food Handling – FDA.

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