A two-ingredient aperitivo, Campari Beer adds a small measure of Campari to a full bottle of lager, tinting the beer pink and lending it the bitter-herbal complexity of the Italian aperitif. At just over 4 percent ABV it is a very low-alcohol, session-friendly drink that joins Italian aperitivo culture to the familiar appeal of a cold beer. The Campari is added first and the beer poured over it in a 15-ounce glass. Its bitterness enhances the lager's existing hop character, producing a drink that is both refreshing and more complex than the beer alone.

Campari Beer cocktail in a jarra de cerveza — made with Lager and Campari

Campari Beer

Dificultad Easy
Calorías ~357 kcal
ABV 4,21%

Ingredientes

Instrucciones

Use a 15 oz glass. Add Campari first. Fill with beer.

Bitter LowABV

La Campari Beer es un aperitivo engañosamente sencillo de dos ingredientes que añade una pequeña medida de Campari a una botella entera de lager, tiñéndola de rosa y añadiendo la complejidad amargo-herbal del aperitivo italiano a la refrescante base de la cerveza fría. Con solo un 4,21% ABV, es una bebida de muy bajo contenido alcohólico, perfecta para tomar en sesión, que une perfectamente la cultura aperitivo italiana y el atractivo universal de una cerveza fría. El amargor del Campari realza el carácter hoppy existente de la cerveza.

History & Origins

Campari Beer is a popular Italian aperitivo tradition, particularly in northern Italy where Campari was created in Milan in 1860 by Gaspare Campari. Adding Campari to beer is a common informal practice in Italian bars and cafes, especially during the aperitivo hour. The precise origin of the recipe as a named cocktail is disputed, though the practice is well-established in Italian drinking culture.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The light hop and grain character of lager with the distinctive orange-rhubarb bitterness of Campari. Palate: Refreshing and sessionable; the lager's effervescence carries the Campari's bitter-orange flavor evenly throughout the drink, creating a pleasantly bitter and lightly sweet aperitivo. Finish: Clean and bitter, with a characteristic Campari aftertaste.

bitter orange herbal refreshing crisp

Pro Tip

Add the Campari to the empty glass first, then pour the cold lager over it to ensure even integration without disrupting the beer's foam.

Técnicas utilizadas

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the ingredients in a Campari Beer and how is it served?

Campari Beer is a simple Italian aperitivo highball made by combining Campari bitter liqueur with cold lager beer, typically in a ratio of one part Campari to three or four parts beer. It is served in a large chilled glass over ice or without, depending on regional preference. Campari's bitter orange and herbal notes are softened and extended by the carbonation of the lager.

What is the origin and cultural context of Campari Beer?

Campari Beer is a popular Italian aperitivo drink, reflecting the Italian tradition of pre-dinner drinks designed to stimulate the appetite. Campari itself has been produced in Milan since 1860 by Gaspare Campari. The beer pairing is a modern, casual interpretation that extends Campari's reach to everyday drinking occasions, particularly popular in northern Italy and among younger drinkers.

How strong is Campari Beer and what food does it pair with?

Campari Beer has a relatively low ABV of approximately 4.21%, making it one of the lighter cocktail options due to the diluting effect of the lager. Its bitter, citrusy character pairs well with salty snacks, charcuterie, olives, and light antipasti. It is an excellent choice as a refreshing aperitivo before an Italian meal.

Información nutricional →

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