Campari - the other Italian Red Drink
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| Gaspare Campari |
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| Schumann's München |
Yes, it’s the big bright red beverage from Italy. You’ll find
it at almost every bar, ok maybe not the The
Bon Accord whiskey bar in Glasgow, but otherwise yes.
Campari is
of a family classified as the Amaro (plural Amari). These drinks are considered
differently as “bitters”, “aperitifs”, “digestifs”, “cocktails”; depending upon
your “tribe” you will know these or not. Some of the more notable Amari are – Fernet Blanca, Aperol,
Cynar, and Ramazotti. While other countries in Europe create
similar bitter liquors, we today are concentrating on specifically, the Italian
Campari.
Campari is
old. It was created in 1860. It is the namesake of liquorist Gaspare Campari
(witness the name of the liquor) – of a secret recipe still maintained today. Campari is a brilliant bright
red. It is made in Italy,
or Italia as Alessandro from Venezia 1. would say. Campari is a member of the holding “Campari Grupo”, is made
up of some 50 premium and super premium brands. You may know of them as: Skyy
Vodka, Wild Turkey, Grand Marnier, Aperol, and Appleton Estate Rum – and of course Campari.
Milano
When you get to Milano, you’ll certainly want to have on
your agenda a trip to the Campari Gallery at the Headquarters just a short
subway ride outside of the center of Milano. And if you are in the trade, you
just might be invited to attend the Campari Academy!
Our visit was in the late morning, which served us very
well. It was not crowded – truth be known we did the self-guided tour alone,
but sponsored by and escorted to the visit display area by a charming young lady on staff. You do have to make prior arrangements to visit. The visit is
quite an experience, which takes place in the original factory where Campari was made. It is now made
elsewhere in Italy. Nevertheless, the newly recreated office complex and gallery
are spectacular with “precious vintage objects from the bar world, historic
bottles, original clock signs” and is “dedicated to Campari brand, and also to significant steps in the field of
graphic communication and design”. As is so very true of the culture of Milano,
it is a pleasurable sensory experience.
Selected Campari Gallery Visuals
Viale
A. Gramsci 161 Sesto San Giovanni Milano
– ITALY
If you are lucky enough to visit the Galleria Campari art
and branding exhibit, be certain to stop
by the (across the street) really cool trattoria <<BAR CAMPARI di Cortellino Anna>>. But wherever you go in Italy, elsewhere in Europe and the
world, you’ll be very pleased to find Campari
and the other Campari Grupo shelf … Skyy
Vodka, Appleton, Grand Marnier ….
When you contact them, inquire if the nearby Villa Campari
Restaurant will be open that evening. While we did not attend, I understood it
to be an experience. Let me know.
Campari Buying Guide
At the Galleria – don’t miss out on purchasing the Campari bar tray, shaker and glass in Campari red. There will be other interesting items as well to tempt you to take back to your own bar. For me, I prize them so that I
have not yet put them to use! You’ll also be offered for purchase many other items
ranging from an umbrella and carry bag, to posters, to my choice the shaker and
tray. Color? Of course “bright red”.
When you are at the Piazza del Duomo - stop in at the Camparino
in Galleria, Zucca, at the city center, just facing the Duomo in the world’s
oldest shopping mall. Great appetizers, nice way to relax and of course time
for a Campari http://www.camparino.it/index.php?l=eng
In some cities and airport shops you will find, but not in
the USA and Canada, the Campari Soda.
Small little single serve.
But whatever you do “buy some Campari”.
Contact for visit –
contact galleria@campari.com or tel +39 02 62251
Campari Soda |
Salut! Thanks to Anita & staff of Campari
Grupo for the visit we so enjoyed.
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| The Negroni Cocktail |
Negroni
1 part (1
oz, 3cl) Campari
1 part (1oz,
3cl) Gin
1 part (1oz,
3cl) Red vermouth
1 slice of
orange
Pour all
ingredients directly into a rock glass filled with ice. 2. Garnish with a slice
of orange.
Source: Campari.com/our-cocktails
Appetizer: Prosciutto and
Cheese
Music: Ennio Morricone Jazz
musician, composer
Footnotes for Academia -
- Somewhere in my readings, perhaps it was what “my
friend” David Lebovitz of Paris, chef, raconteur, etc. said about “Bitters” … if it’s a big bottle it’s an Amaro, if it’s a much
smaller bottle it’s a “bitter”. I found that to be a somewhat profound
definition of the two.
- Refers to Constantine’s Blogpost titled “Cicchetti
Time or My Time With Alessandro in Venizia”, September 19, 2017.ar.
Photo Credits-Campari Grupo, Schumann's Bar, Internet sourced pictures
updated 30 March 2018
Buy Some! Drink Some!
