Garibaldi
The Garibaldi cocktail offers a bittersweet taste with a tangy citrus kick. The Campari provides a herbal bitterness that is perfectly balanced by the fresh, sweet and slightly tart flavor of the orange juice.
Campari Tonic Cocktail Recipe
Jump to Recipe ⬇️
Campari Tonic Nutrition Facts
Calories:150
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:15g
Alcohol:15%
Created by
Nic Polotnianko
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: January 16, 2024
Contents
History
The Campari Tonic is a simple yet refreshing cocktail that combines the bitter, herbal flavors of Campari with the crispness of tonic water. It's a variation of the classic highball drink, which typically consists of a spirit and a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer.
- Origins Campari, the key ingredient, was created in 1860 by Gaspare Campari in Italy. The drink itself gained popularity as a pre-dinner aperitif, known for its ability to stimulate the appetite.
- Popularity It's particularly favored in the warm months or in regions with a Mediterranean climate, where its bitter and refreshing taste is appreciated.
- Audience The Campari Tonic is a hit among those who enjoy bitter flavors and a less sweet cocktail experience.
How Campari Tonic Tastes?
The Campari Tonic has a distinctly bitter and herbal taste with a hint of sweetness from the Campari. The tonic water adds a quinine bitterness and a fizzy texture that lightens the drink. It's a balanced mix of bitter, sweet, and bubbly.
Interesting facts about Campari Tonic
- Campari is known for its vibrant red color, which is naturally derived from carmine until 2006, when the recipe was altered to be carmine-free.
- The Campari Tonic is often associated with Italian aperitivo culture, which is a social ritual of enjoying drinks and small plates before a meal.
- Campari was originally intended as a medicinal elixir, and its bitter taste is due to the infusion of herbs and fruit in alcohol and water.
Ingredients
- Fever tree premium tonic water: 4.5 oz(135ml)
- Campari: 1.5 oz(45ml)
- Orange wedge: 1
Fever-Tree Premium Tonic Water
The high-quality quinine in Fever-Tree Tonic provides a crisp bitterness that balances the herbaceous sweetness of Campari. It's the effervescent carrier of flavor that makes this cocktail refreshing. If you go flat, you might as well be wearing socks with sandals - just wrong.
Alex Green
Campari
Campari is the heart of the drink, providing a complex bitter flavor and a vibrant red hue that's as eye-catching as a Ferrari at a Fiat convention. If you skimp on it, the cocktail loses its bold character, and too much might make you pucker more than a duck-face selfie.
Mary Mitkina
Orange Wedge
A squeeze of orange lifts the drink with a touch of citrus, marrying beautifully with the bitterness of Campari. It's like that pop of color in a monochrome outfit - without it, everything is just less interesting.
Emma Rose
Recipe. How to make Campari Tonic Drink
- Prepare the Glass
- Fill a highball glass with ice cubes to the brim.
- Mix the Drink
- Pour 1.5 oz of Campari over the ice.
- Top with 4.5 oz of Fever-Tree Premium Tonic Water.
- Garnish
- Gently stir the mixture.
- Squeeze an orange wedge over the drink and drop it in or place it on the rim as garnish.
Pro Tips
- Ice: Use large ice cubes to reduce dilution and keep your drink cold longer.
- Orange Wedge: Express the oils of the orange wedge over the glass before dropping it in to enhance the aroma.
- Balance: Adjust the ratio of Campari to tonic to suit your taste. More tonic will make it lighter and less bitter.
Perfect Pairings
Seafood
- Grilled shrimp or seared scallops: The bitterness of Campari pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of shellfish.
Snack Foods
- Marinated olives or salted nuts: The saltiness complements the bitter and refreshing taste of the Campari Tonic.
Italian Cuisine
- Charcuterie boards: Featuring cured meats and cheeses, which contrast nicely with the crispness of the tonic.
Citrus-Flavored Dishes
- Lemon chicken: The citrus notes can echo the orange in the cocktail.
🍹 Discover the Top 50 All-Time Recipes! 🍹
Enter your email, and we'll send the exclusive list straight to your inbox.
We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously
What you could change in Campari Tonic
- Tonic Water: Any quality tonic water can be used, though Fever-Tree is recommended for its clean and balanced flavor.
- Campari: While Campari is unique, Aperol can be used for a sweeter and less bitter profile.
Explore all drinks starting with C here
And of course - twists🍹
Spicy Campari Tonic
Ingredients: Add a small slice of jalapeño to the drink. Recipe: Muddle the jalapeño slice in the glass before adding ice, Campari, and tonic. Stir gently and garnish with an orange wedge. Flavor: The spiciness of the jalapeño adds a warming kick to the drink, creating a contrasting experience to the original's cool bitterness.
Campari Tonic with a Splash of Soda
Ingredients: Add 1 oz of soda water to lighten the drink. Recipe: Pour Campari over ice, add tonic water and top off with soda water. Stir and garnish with an orange wedge. Flavor: A subtler bitterness with an extra fizz, perfect for those preferring a gentler touch on the palate.
Rosemary Campari Tonic
Ingredients: Add a sprig of rosemary. Recipe: Bruise the rosemary in your hand to release oils, then stir it in with the Campari and tonic. Garnish with an orange wedge and the rosemary sprig. Flavor: The herbaceous aroma of rosemary complements the Campari, giving the drink an earthy depth and a sophisticated twist.
In case you forgot basics how to make Campari Tonic
Insert the spoon into the glass until it touches the bottom. Keep the back of the spoon against the inside wall of the glass, and stir in a smooth, circular motion. The goal is to swirl the ice and ingredients together without churning or splashing.
Learn everything on how to stirGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
Learn everything on garnishingFind the cocktail you'd love!
If you want to drink something else - you can use our AI-augmented search to find the best cocktail for you!
Completely free!
Frequently Asked Questions on Campari Tonic
Can I make a non-alcoholic version of the Campari Tonic?
Yes, you can substitute Campari with a non-alcoholic aperitif or bitter syrup to create a similar flavor profile without the alcohol.
What kind of ice is best for the Campari Tonic?
Clear, large ice cubes are ideal as they melt slower and dilute the drink less over time, maintaining its flavor and strength.
Is the Campari Tonic suitable for a low-carb diet?
While the Campari Tonic has 15g of carbohydrates, you can lower the carb count by opting for a diet tonic water.
How should I store Campari after opening?
Campari should be stored in a cool, dark place to maintain its flavor. There's no need to refrigerate it, but keep it away from direct sunlight.
What is the shelf life of an opened bottle of Campari?
After opening, Campari can last for several years if stored properly. Its high alcohol content helps preserve it.
Are there any seasonal variations of the Campari Tonic I can try?
Certainly, adding seasonal garnishes such as a sprig of rosemary in winter or cucumber slices in summer can add a unique twist to your cocktail.
Is the Campari Tonic vegan-friendly?
Campari Tonic can be considered vegan-friendly as it typically doesn't contain animal products, but it's always best to check the labels for specific brand ingredients.
More similar recipes to Campari Tonic!
Explore new cocktails you'd love!
aperitivoPin It
Puccini
The Puccini cocktail offers a delightful balance of sweetness and acidity, with the fresh mandarin juice providing a vibrant citrus flavor that complements the crisp, bubbly prosecco. It's light, refreshing, and has a subtle effervescence that tickles the palate.
The Italian Job
The Italian Job is a harmonious blend of sweet and bitter, with the blood orange vodka providing a fruity punch that is balanced by the herbal bitterness of Campari. The vermouth adds complexity and a hint of spice, while the grapefruit juice offers a subtle tartness. Overall, it's a robust, refreshing, and slightly bitter cocktail with a citrusy finish.
Longshoreman
The Longshoreman offers a bold flavor profile with the spiciness of rye whiskey, the herbal bitterness of Averna amaro, and the sweet vermouth complexity from Punt e Mes. It's a well-balanced cocktail that's both strong and slightly sweet, with a bitter finish.
Sputnik
The Sputnik cocktail offers a bold and complex taste. The Absolut Vodka provides a clean, crisp base, while the Fernet Branca delivers a bitter, minty, and herbal punch. The lemon juice adds a slight tang, and the sugar syrup balances the bitterness with a subtle sweetness.
Tartan
The Tartan cocktail offers a rich tapestry of flavors. It's a strong and warming drink, with the smoky peat of the Scotch and the herbal bitterness of the Ramazzotti creating a complex base. The sweetness of the Drambuie and the Cocchi Vermouth di Torino balance the bitterness, while the Angostura bitters add a spicy depth. The orange twist garnish provides a bright, citrus aroma that rounds out the experience.
Singapore Sling
The Singapore Sling has a complex, fruity taste with a balance of sweet, sour, and bitter notes. It is refreshing, tangy, and slightly effervescent, with a hint of herbal undertones.
Last Word
The Last Word is a well-balanced cocktail with a complex flavor profile. It is simultaneously sweet, sour, herbal, and slightly bitter. The gin provides a strong, juniper-forward base, while the Chartreuse adds a rich, herbal complexity. The maraschino liqueur brings a touch of sweetness, and the lime juice adds a refreshing, tart finish.
Bijou
The Bijou cocktail has a complex and well-balanced taste, featuring herbal and botanical notes from the gin and green Chartreuse, sweetness from the sweet vermouth, and a hint of bitterness from the orange bitters. It is a strong, rich, and slightly sweet drink with a smooth and velvety texture.
Negroni
The Negroni is a well-balanced cocktail with a bitter, sweet, and herbal taste. It has a strong, bold flavor with a hint of citrus and a smooth, velvety finish.
Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz has a refreshing, bittersweet taste with a hint of citrus. It is light, effervescent, and slightly herbal, making it a perfect balance of sweet and bitter flavors.
Spritz Veneziano
Spritz Veneziano has a unique bittersweet taste, with a hint of citrus and herbal notes. It is light, refreshing, and effervescent.
Boulevardier
The Boulevardier is a complex and well-balanced cocktail, with a rich and bold taste. It has a bitter-sweet profile, with the bitterness of Campari complementing the sweetness of the vermouth. The whiskey adds warmth and depth, making it a perfect drink for sipping.
Americano
The Americano has a complex and bittersweet taste, with herbal and citrus notes. It is refreshing, slightly bitter, and mildly sweet, making it a perfect balance of flavors.
Jungle Bird
The Jungle Bird has a complex and well-balanced taste profile, featuring sweet, sour, and bitter notes. The sweetness of the pineapple juice is balanced by the tartness of the lime juice and the bitterness of the Campari. The dark rum adds depth and warmth to the drink.
Mojito
The Mojito is a refreshing, sweet, and slightly sour cocktail with a hint of mint and a subtle rum kick. It is a well-balanced drink that is both invigorating and easy to sip.
Mint Julep
The Mint Julep has a refreshing, sweet, and slightly minty taste. It is a well-balanced cocktail with a strong bourbon backbone and a cooling, herbal finish.
Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a refreshing, slightly spicy, and tangy cocktail with a hint of sweetness. The combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice creates a well-balanced and invigorating flavor profile.