Campari and orange juice, also known as a Garibaldi cocktail, is a simple but classic Italian drink.
In this article, you will learn how to make the perfect Campari and orange juice drink.
Contents
Garibaldi cocktail video
What is Campari?
Campari is a vibrant, ruby-red Italian liqueur.
It was created in 1860 by Gaspare Campari in Novara, Italy. It is a staple in classic cocktails and a popular apéritif worldwide.
Campari has intense herbal, orange and floral aromas with a pleasant bitter aftertaste.
While it does contain some sugar, Campari tastes dry and bitter and is a very potent drink when neat.
Campari is known for its vibrant red color.
It is a component in many classic cocktails, such as the Negroni.
Campari and orange juice ingredients
The Garibaldi cocktail is a very simple 2-ingredient drink: Campari liqueur and orange juice.
A bottle of Campari: Campari should be relatively easy to find in supermarkets and liquor stores.
Orange juice: You can freshly squeeze orange juice for this recipe or buy it ready made from the supermarket.
Buy the best that you can afford. A high-quality orange juice can make all the difference for this recipe.
Ideally, juice oranges in a juicer. This will create a frothy orange juice, which is traditional for a Garibaldi.
If you don’t have a juicer, you can blend fresh squeezed or shop bought orange juice in a blender.
A hand frother (the kind normally used for frothing milk for coffee) will also do the trick.
Garnish: Garnish with slices of orange. Orange is the best garnish for this drink as it enhances the orange flavors in both the Campari and the orange juice.
That said, you can experiment with other citrus fruits like lemon, lime, pink grapefruit.
Ice: Don’t forget to buy or make lots of ice cubes if you are going to make drinks for a group. Nobody wants luke warm cocktails!
What Campari and orange juice tastes like
As mentioned above, Campari is a strong-flavored drink with bitter botanical and citrus notes.
It is too potent for me personally to drink neat, but mixed with orange juice and lots of ice it tastes pleasant and refreshing with a slight bitterness.
The flavor of Campari and orange juice depends on the recipe used, more specifically the ratio of Campari to orange.
The classic ratio is 3 parts orange juice to 1 part Campari. This is the ratio that I have used for this recipe.
Any less Campari and it will be too diluted (for me at least), but if you like potent flavors you can increase the Campari.
I recommend starting with the tried and trusted 3:1 formula and adjusting and experimenting from there.
How to drink Campari and orange juice
Enjoy Campari and orange juice as a pre-dinner drink, a refreshing summer drink, or serve at parties and celebrations.
It can also be served as a brunch drink.
Tips for making Campari and orange juice
Follow these simple tips for the perfect Garibaldi:
- A highball or any tall narrow glass will work. You can also use large stemless wine glasses for a modern look or a gin balloon glass.
- Chill your Campari and orange juice in the fridge before making to ensure a cool, refreshing drink.
- For a traditional Garibaldi, ensure to use “fluffy” orange juice (using a juicer, blender or frother).
Recipe variations for Campari and orange juice
If you want to mix things up, try the following variations:
- Another fruit juice: Swap the orange juice for another fruit juice. Go for something with a little sweetness, such as apple or pineapple juice, otherwise it may taste too bitter.
- Make it stronger: If you want a stronger drink, try a 2:2 recipe (3oz Campari, 3oz orange juice). Alternatively, liven up your Garibaldi with a shot of vodka or a dash of Prosecco.
Campari and Orange Juice/Garibaldi Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Juicer or blender or frother optional
Ingredients
- 2 oz Campari 55 ml
- 6 oz Orange juice 170 ml
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Juice oranges in a juicer. Alternatively, blend shop bought orange juice for 20 seconds in a blender or froth with a hand frother.
- Fill a glass with ice (3/4 full).
- Add Campari and orange juice.
- Garnish with a slice of orange.
Read with confidence: I am WSET L2 Award in Spirits & Diagio Bar Academy certified.
