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Home » Recipes » Drinks » Vodka, Campari and Orange Cocktail

Vodka, Campari and Orange Cocktail

Modified:  March 26, 2023 Published: Dec 19, 2022   //  by Michele Peterson 7 Comments

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Collage of a vodka, Campari and orange cocktail.
Collage of two campari cocktails with text How to make a campari cocktail.

This sparkling Vodka, Campari and Orange cocktail is a crimson-hued Italian drink that takes just five minutes to make and uses five ingredients! 

It features the classic Italian liqueur mixed with vodka, orange juice and pomegranate juice topped with sparkling soda. The coral pink colour is why it’s called a Venetian Blush cocktail. 

We love serving this pretty cocktail at holiday dinners, festive brunches, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. But it’s also an easy summer drink that’s very thirst-quenching and not too sweet.
Venetian Blush Campari orange cocktail with a green napkin.

Why You’ll Love This Campari, Vodka and Orange Cocktail 

  • It’s like a Cosmo but not as sweet. Campari’s hint of bitterness makes it extra refreshing. 
  • So easy to make, it uses only 5 ingredients and takes 5 minutes to make! 
  • Double, triple and even batch it up for pitcher-sized serving. 
  • It’s got an eye-catching colour that makes it celebratory. 
  • It doesn’t require any special bar equipment. The Garibaldi cocktail, also made with  Campari and orange juice, is best made with a hand-held frother to aerate it. 

What is Campari?

Along with Aperol and Cynar, Campari is a popular ingredient to enjoy in Italian cocktails throughout Venice, Florence and northern Italy.

Like other Italian aperitivos, it’s traditionally enjoyed as a pre-dinner drink to stimulate the appetite, open the palate and aid digestion. 

View of a gondola on a canal in Venice.
Imagine enjoying this Campari cocktail at a cafe overlooking a canal in Venice.

According to the Campari Group (Aperol and Wild Turkey bourbon), Campari was created in 1860 by Gaspare Campari as the signature spirit at his bar in Milan.

Bottle of Campari on a table.
The predominant flavour of Campari is bitter orange.

It continues to prepare the ruby red drink according to the original secret formula.

The mixture is a blend of citrus peel, roots and herbs as well as aromatic botanicals like chinotto (myrtle-leaved orange tree) and cascarilla, a dried bark sourced in the Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Haiti.

The secret mixture is then infused in an alcohol base. 

Like other Italian red bitters, Campari’s deep crimson colour was originally sourced from the natural dye of the cochineal insect, a beetle that feeds on the prickly pear cactus.

These days, Campari is made from artificial colour, except for Campari produced in Brazil. 

Major Differences between Campari and Aperol 

Differences in colour between orange Aperol and Red Campari demonstrated on two bottles and glasses of alcohol.
There are differences in colour, flavour and alcohol content between Aperol and Campari.

What does Campari taste like? The main flavour is orange. It’s slightly bitter and herbaceous and fills your nose with notes of ripe oranges.

If you like the taste of blood orange or marmalade you’ll love Campari. 

Campari’s characteristic flavour is very versatile. It’s also very popular and has been a part of Italian art, sports, fashion and popular culture for more than 150 years.  

At 25% ABV (in North America), Campari has a higher alcohol content than Aperol at 11%. It’s also not as sweet or syrupy.  

Famous Cocktails Made With Campari 

While you can drink Campari straight it’s usually mixed into a cocktail.  These are the most popular Campari cocktails:

  • Negroni: Campari, sweet vermouth and gin.
  • Americano: Campari and sweet vermouth (James Bond ordered this in Casino Royale).
  • Garibaldi: Campari and orange juice shaken until frothy.
  • Campari Cocktail: Campari, vodka and Angostura bitters. 
  • Campari and Soda: Generally two parts soda to one of Campari. 

Ingredients for a Venetian Blush Campari Cocktail 

Campari, pomegranate juice, vodka, oranges and San Pellegrino sparkling drink on a countertop.
Ingredients include Campari, pomegranate juice, vodka, freshly squeezed orange juice and Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa sparkling soda.
  • Campari. 
  • Vodka: Preferably a smooth, premium brand such as Crystal Head or Tito’s Handmade Vodka, 
  • Orange Juice: Freshly squeezed is best or use store-bought pulp-free orange juice.  
  • Pomegranate Juice: Be sure to use pomegranate juice not syrup.  
  • Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa sparkling soda (chilled). 

Step by Step Instructions 

Orange, a bottle of Campari and a cocktail with a green napkin on a countertop.
You don’t need any special equipment to make this delicious cocktail.

Please scroll down to the recipe card for exact quantities of ingredients. 

1. Fill a double old-fashioned, stemless wine glass or specialty cocktail glass with ice cubes made with filtered water. 

2. Pour in the vodka and Campari.

3. Squeeze the fresh oranges to make orange juice. Add the pomegranate and orange juices to the glass. Stir gently.

Squeezing oranges in a white juicer.
For best results, use fresh-squeezed orange juice in this cocktail recipe.

4. Top with enough chilled Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa sparkling soda to fill the glass. 

5. Then, garnish with an orange peel. Citrus peels are full of aromatic oils, which add depth and nuance to finished cocktails. All you really need for this cocktail is a piece of peel to add some aromatic oil to its surface.

Overhead shot of a Campari cocktail with orange garnish.

But if you’d like a fancy version, here are some instructions on how to create orange peel garnishes like a professional bartender.

How to Serve this Venetian Blush Cocktail 

  • Serve an aperitif 30 to 60 minutes before dinner to stimulate the appetite, open the palate and aid digestion. This orange juice and Campari cocktail is especially good in advance of rich, special-occasion dishes such as Grilled Beef Steak,  Broiled Lobster Tail and Wild Mushroom Risotto with Truffle Oil.  
  • To make a large batch of this cocktail, mix the vodka, Campari orange and pomegranate juices in a pitcher up to one day in advance. Cover and store in the refrigerator. Add ice and sparkling soda to the pitcher just before serving.  
  • For a summer thirst-quencher, switch to a highball glass and add club soda to fill the glass.

Portrait of a Campari Valentine's Day cocktail with a green napkin.

 

  • Another fun idea is to add some bitters to this cocktail. Recently, aromatic bitters are enjoying a rise in popularity, so there’s a wide variety of bitters to choose from.  Adding just a drop or two in your cocktail can add a whole new dimension of flavour so it’s fun to experiment with adding extra bitters to this cocktail.   
  • At a brunch or dinner party, set out a tray of bitters for guests to customize their own Venetian cocktail with added bitters.
  • The bitters idea is similar to the Pimp Your Prosecco station popular for wedding showers. 

Recipe

Venetian Blush Campari orange cocktail with a green napkin.
Print
4.83 from 17 votes

Vodka, Campari and Orange Cocktail

This sparkling coral-pink cocktail is a delicious pre-dinner aperitif. It features the classic crimson-hued Italian liqueur mixed with orange and pomegranate juices topped with sparkling soda.
A Venetian Blush makes an eye-catching pretty cocktail for Holiday dinners, festive brunches, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day but it's also a thirst-quenching summer drink that's not too sweet.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time0 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 1
Calories: 240kcal
Author: Michele Peterson
Cost: $4

Ingredients

  • 1 ounce Campari
  • 1 ounce vodka
  • 2 ounces orange juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 ounce pomegranate juice
  • 5 ounces Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa  1/2 can approximately
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Fill a double old-fashioned, stemless wine glass or specialty cocktail glass with ice cubes made with filtered water.
  • Pour in the vodka and Campari.
  • Squeeze the fresh oranges to make orange juice. Add the pomegranate and orange juices to the glass. Stir gently.
  • Top with enough chilled San Pellegrino Aranciata Rossa sparkling soda to fill the glass.
  • Garnish with an orange peel. Citrus peels are full of aromatic oils, which add depth and nuance. All you really need to finish this cocktail is a piece of peel to add some aromatic oil to its surface.

Notes

  • Serve this aperitif 30 to 60 minutes before dinner to stimulate the appetite, open the palate and aid digestion. 
  • To make a large batch, mix the vodka, Campari orange and pomegranate juices in a pitcher up to one day in advance. Cover and store in the refrigerator. Add ice and sparkling soda to the pitcher just before serving.  
Nutritional information is created by online calculators so the figures are only estimates.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 174mg | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 113IU | Vitamin C: 28mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @ATasteForTravel or tag #ATasteForTravel!

Other Cocktail Recipes You Might Enjoy 

  • Sparkling Mango Cocktail 
  • Fresh Mango Lemonade Cocktail 
  • Sparkling Bourbon Peach Cocktail 
  • Apple Cider Mojito 
  • Spanish Gin & Tonic 

Save to Pinterest!

Collage of two campari cocktails with text How to make a campari cocktail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Campari Pair Well With?

Campari pairs beautifully with orange juice as the sweetness of the oranges complements its bitterness. Citrus also helps accentuate the citrus notes of Campari.

What is the Best Way to Drink Campari?

Do as the Italians do in Italy and drink Campari with bubbly soda. Soda, orange juice and Campari is a popular variation on the classic Campari and soda.

« A Complete Guide to Niagara Icewine Festival 2025
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About Michele Peterson

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.

Read more about Michele Peterson.

Previous Post: «Frozen grapes in a vineyard in winter. A Complete Guide to Niagara Icewine Festival 2025
Next Post: Emerald Cruises Review: Castles on the Rhine and Moselle Rivers Landshut Castle on the Moselle in Germany.»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carol

    February 02, 2021 at 10:58 am

    Campari and soda is one of my favourites. Can’t wait to try this pretty drink.

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      February 02, 2021 at 3:44 pm

      I hope you enjoy it Carol! Cheers!

  2. Jere Cassidy

    January 21, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    5 stars
    I have never tried Campari but now I want a cocktail.

    Reply
  3. Lilly

    January 20, 2021 at 8:04 pm

    5 stars
    This cocktail is so delicious and refreshing! I now have a new favorite drink!

    Reply
  4. Andréa Janssen

    January 20, 2021 at 4:46 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious cocktail. I love it when they’ve got a great flavor AND are easy to prepare. And this recipe was so delicious!

    Reply
  5. Marcellina

    January 20, 2021 at 4:45 pm

    5 stars
    Yes please!! This cocktail is calling my name!! Going out to buy some Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa and pomegranate juice. I can’t wait! Great recipe.

    Reply
  6. Angela

    January 20, 2021 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    What a great cocktail! Yum!

    Reply
4.83 from 17 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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