Campari tastes bitter, with a citrusy flavor and some spice-forward notes, like clove and cinnamon. Some experts believe the bitterness comes from chinotto, a citrus that is known for bitterness, but that remains unconfirmed.
Campari works well with lots of different ingredients – try swapping the gin for bourbon in a negroni to make a boulevardier, for example – and it’s also delicious in simple serves. We like drinking it with soda water and lots of ice in summer, or adding a dash to IPA for a beer spritz.
Italians have concocted all kinds of ways to drink Campari; but most connoisseurs will tell you that the simplest preparations are the best. Italians will order Campari e soda or Campari e vino bianco, also known as Campari macchiato, a name that implies it’s been “stained” with white wine.