If you love cocktails, no doubt you’ve heard of Campari and Aperol. These two Italian spirits are both bright in color and share notes of citrus and herbs. But true cocktail connoisseurs know that they are two very different liqueurs with key distinctions. If you’ve been wondering what makes them different, well, you’ve come to the right place! Here, we’ll get into all the important differences between Campari vs. Aperol.
Key Takeaways
- Aperol and Campari are Italian liqueurs traditionally enjoyed as an aperitivo or pre-dinner drink.
- While they share similarities, they are distinct liqueurs and should not be confused.
- The taste of Campari is way more bitter than the sweeter and lighter Aperol.
- The robust nature of Campari makes it a common ingredient in many classic and craft cocktails.
- Aperol and Campari can be enjoyed on their own, with a splash of soda water, or in cocktails.
What’s the Difference Between Campari & Aperol


In recent years, it seems the Aperol spritz cocktail has become the unofficial drink of summer — and for good reason! It’s delicious, refreshing, and totally Instagram-worthy, thanks to its vivid orange color.
While Campari can be enjoyed in spritz form, too, the Campari spritz hasn’t quite reached the same level of popularity as the Aperol spritz, at least in the United States.
On the other hand, we see Campari used more often than Aperol to make a wide range of cocktails. Did you know Campari is featured in several classic cocktails? When we compare Campari vs. Aperol, their main differences come down to taste and alcohol content which influence how they are typically used.
Campari Characteristics

Campari is an Italian bitter, traditionally enjoyed as an aperitivo or pre-dinner drink. Love it or hate it, Campari will definitely leave you feeling some type of way. It’s flavorful and intense, a perfect compliment to aperitivo snacks like briny olives, salty cured meats, or bruschetta.
Taste
The taste of Campari is complex and herbaceous, much more bitter and powerful than the sweeter Aperol. Today’s Campari recipe has remained unchanged since 1860, but the exact ingredients remain a mystery — something to ponder next time you take a sip of Campari.
The prominent taste is bitter orange peel, but the flavors are remarkably complex. It’s also been described as having notes of cherry, rhubarb, clove, cinnamon, and wood.
Alcohol Content

Campari’s alcohol content reportedly varies from 20.5 to 28.5 depending on where it’s sold. This range is comparable to other liqueurs, and it’s definitely on the stronger side if enjoyed straight or with only a small splash of club soda.
Appearance

The appearance of Campari is just as intense as the taste. It’s a clear crimson-colored liqueur, and the hue apparently came from bugs at its origin. Yes, you read that right! A natural bright red dye, carmine, is made of crushed-up bugs called cochineal.
Now, before you go pouring your Campari down the drain over the thought of eating bugs, you should know that in 2006, the maker of Campari, Campari Group, switched to using artificial coloring. But it turns out the use of cochineal bugs as a pigment is actually fairly common in cosmetics and fabrics.
Origin
The history of Campari goes way back to 1860. The founding father of Campari Group, Gaspare Campari, created the recipe in Nevora, Italy. His son later opened a café in Milan called Caffe Campari, where the drink found wild success and became an aperitivo staple.
Aperol Characteristics

In comparing the two Italian aperitifs, Aperol is the sweet, mild-mannered little sister of Campari. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t enjoy a classic Aperol spritz. That’s not to say Aperol lacks flavor. This subtly sweet, bitter liqueur is interesting enough to stand on its own, or it can be used to make different Aperol cocktails.
Taste

Like Campari, Aperol also has a bitter and herby taste, albeit milder. The orange flavor is dominant, and Aperol has stronger fruity and citrus notes, followed by hints of rhubarb, herbs, wood, and vanilla. Aperol is bittersweet, smooth, and easy to drink.
Alcohol Content
Aperol contains only half the alcohol of Campari, coming in at only 11 percent ABV. Light and refreshing, it’s a fantastic summer drink whose lighter nature lends itself to day drinking.
Appearance

Aperol is just about as vivid as Campari, but instead of red, it has a bright orange hue. With a large orange slice garnish, Aperol cocktails are absolutely stunning.
Origin
Aperol was created in 1919 by Luigi and Silvio Barbieri after seven years of experimenting with the recipe. In the 1950s, the drink became very popular in Italy, and so the Campari group bought the drink in 2003.
How To Use Campari In Cocktails
Bitter Campari, with its complex flavor, makes an incredible ingredient in craft cocktails by adding depth. Its strong taste can easily overpower other ingredients, so it pairs best with strong spirits like gin.
Campari is a key ingredient of classic cocktails like the Negroni, Americano, and Boulevardier. When in doubt, a Campari soda or spritz is a great choice for Campari lovers as it really lets the liqueur’s flavors shine.
Negroni

The oldest Campari cocktail, the Negroni, also happens to be our favorite. The classic Negroni recipe uses equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
This fantastic revisited recipe tweaks the proportions for a more balanced result. Don’t forget a twist of orange peel and orange slices as a garnish. Enjoy this sophisticated and complex Negroni cocktail — the king of Campari cocktails!
How To Use Aperol in Cocktails
The most famous Aperol cocktail is, without a doubt, the classic Aperol Spritz. Aperol can be used in other cocktails, like an Aperol sour, but the delicate flavor easily gets lost among others, making it a less common ingredient in craft cocktails compared to Campari.
We can find Aperol in the well-known Paper Plane cocktail, where Aperol is mixed with Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice for a vibrant and delicious cocktail.
Aperol Spritz Recipe

The concept of a spritz dates back to 19th century Venice when Austrian soldiers would ask for a “spritzen” or splash of water to dilute Italian wines that they deemed as too heavy. Today, it commonly refers to cocktails made with sparkling wine and soda water.
If you’re in the mood to enjoy Aperol in all its glory, an Aperol spritz is the way to go if you ask us. This delightfully fizzy and refreshing recipe couldn’t be easier! Just combine Aperol, prosecco, and soda water in a large glass. Copious amounts of ice make this a welcome drink during hot months.
FAQs
Can you substitute Aperol for Campari?
Aperol can work as a substitute in Campari cocktails as they are both bitter liqueurs featuring orange flavor. However, Aperol and Campari are different enough that it’s going to change the taste of the cocktail.
Are Aperol and Campari the same thing?
Both Aperol and Campari are Italian liqueurs with a bitter orange flavor, but they are not the same. Campari is higher in alcohol, and the taste is much more bitter than Aperol, which has a more bittersweet flavor.
Are Campari and Negroni the same thing?
Campari is an Italian bitter liqueur. The Negroni is a classic cocktail featuring Campari, lemon juice, and sweet vermouth.
Can I use Aperol instead of Campari in a Negroni?
You can use Aperol instead of Campari in a Negroni, but it will be a different-tasting cocktail. A Negroni made with Aperol will be sweeter and easier to drink.