Campari - the other Italian Red Drink

Campari - the other Italian Red Drink

Gaspare Campari

If you been to an elegant bar, or any bar, or traveled to Italy, or otherwise have a thirst for the unusual, then you likely know Campari. At Schumann’s in München, Schumann has the entire top shelf of the display lined with Campari bottles. I should be so lucky!  

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.

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 -

1.  ^{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.}
2.  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!