A question of such vital consequence to mankind. Like Pepsi to Aperols Coke, this liqueur serves a familiar, refreshing spritz, with Orange Sunkist aromas and bittersweet grapefruit and orange flavors that are slightly less sweet than Aperol. $35| Buy. In Italy, drinkers traditionally prefer 1870 as part of an Americano, but its bittersweet citrus notes and complex, spiced finish also make it ideal in a Negroni. Aperol is made much like Campari, but unlike its deep red counterpart, the ingredients for this orange-hued liqueur are slightly better-known. For an authentic Venetian garnish, swap in a green olive for the orange slice. Aperol has a long and storied history that began in 1919 when the scarlet-hued aperitivo was launched by brothers Silvio and Luigi Barbieri in Padua, Italy. American consumers are open to more and more bitter flavors.. Nonino was my early favorite (love the orange peel), but now I find it too sweet, says Margerum. Spurred by the rising popularity of brands like Fernet Branca and Campari,over the last several years theres been a mini-boom of American-made bitter liqueurs modeled after classic amari,andbitter aperitivi, many of which areunlike anything you might find in Italy. I made a negroni with Rosso and like campari more. Campari and Aperol have become integral ingredients on cocktail menus around the country, and are increasingly an essential part of any home bar arsenal. Its rich and complex flavor profile, meanwhile, makes the Negroni a favorite among cocktails enthusiasts and bartenders alike. As opposed to just after a meal, and getting that more densely concentrated amaro, and probably drinking that quicker overall.. Vincenzi Arancia Aperitivo Kosher Liqueur. By clicking Go, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Vox Medias Theres room, and demand, for more diversity, she said, so I do think well continue to see new, or at least new-to-market, red bitter brands find a permanent place at the countrys top bars.. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Ibisco is made with a corn base mixed with grapefruit peels and coriander, whereas Campari is orange-based. $26 |Buy, Founded in Finale Emilia in 1814 by Giuseppe Casoni, this historic distillery is known mainly for its anise-based liqueurs and has adapted an antique recipe combining orange, quinine, local herbs, fruits and seeds for a bittersweet liqueur that clocks in at just11 percent ABV. It reigned supreme until its popularity was squandered by King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia during the late 1700s, when he banned rosolio from the Royal Household in preference of the newly arrived vermouth. and Jan. 4, 2021. You can drink it. The result isbased on late-harvest red grape spiritinfused withdried orange peels and garden herbs, like sage, thyme and lemon verbena, that isthenaged in old 225-liter French oak barrels kept outdoors to achieve the maderization that makes his amaro so unique. Whether youre building a spritzy highball or serving an austere stirred cocktail, Aperol and Campari add gorgeous color and plenty of flavor. When Denver-based Leopold Bros. launched its Aperitivo in 2015, it provided us with our favorite domestic Campari alternative. We ask people to taste them side by side, said Francesco Amodeo, president and master distiller of Don Ciccio & Figli, which makes three aperitivos, including Luna Amara. To Reiners delight, Campari added a much-needed bitter backbone to round out the drink. She's a contributing editor for PUNCH and was the editor of The Essential Cocktail Book. If you don't have Aperol, you can use another bittersweet orange liqueur like Campari, Punt e Mes, or Gran Classico Bitter.. From amari to Campari, there are 13 different ways to drink the classic spritz. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories, To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories, Bon Appetit Restaurant and Drinks Editor Andrew Knowlton has a lot of bottles of booze in front of him. $39| Buy, Where its made: Santa Barbara, CaliforniaABV: 23 percent. If you're looking to reinvigorate your love for Negronis, we found nine red aperitifs to take Campari's spot on your bar cart. When opting for Lillet Rouge, double down on the strawberry preserve notes with a berry garnish. Sazerac, based in Louisiana, decided to create its first aperitivo under the name of its popular Peychauds Bitters (the kind of bitters you dash into a cocktail like the Sazerac). Restaurant recommendations you trust. How it tastes: In an effort to mitigate theintensebitterness of the fernet style, some domestic distillers are too heavy handed with sugar. Campari has expertly leveraged marketing and education to carve out and expand its worldwide reach, and it exports its bitter liqueuralong with notions of Italian style and eleganceto virtually every country on the planet. Bargiani recommends visiting Nottingham Foresta Milan cocktail bar known for pairing innovative molecular mixology techniques with modern flavors. Martini & Rossi Riserva Speciale Bitter Liqueur, From Munich to Mumbai, Cinco de Mayo Goes Global, 8 Things You Should Know About Russells Reserve, The Cocktail College Podcast: How to Make the Perfect Midori Sour, Aperitivo Hour: 7 Excellent Campari Alternatives for Your Next Negroni | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/7-best-campari-alternatives-negroni/, wbs_cat Spirit, wbs_type Amaro, wbs_brand Campari, wbs_brand Cappelletti, wbs_brand Contratto, wbs_brand Leopold Bros., wbs_brand Luxardo, wbs_brand Martini & Rossi, wbs_brand Meletti, wbs_brand Tempus Fugit, amaro, bitters, Campari, negroni, 10 Telltale Signs Youre in a Great Cheese Shop | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/best-cheese-shop-near-me/. Its got this smell thats sort of a cross between woodsy cinnamon and sandalwoodwithout being specifically either one, says Winters. How it tastes: This lower-alcohol aperitivo is like a lighter, fresher version of Aperol, with bitter orange intensity and lots of gentian on the palate. Made with Trebbiano wine as its base, this aperitivo has a juicy, fruity character. Read on for everything you need to know about Campari and Aperol. While Aperol and Campari have a lot of similarities, they can be used to achieve very different goals. $48| Buy, Where its made: Brooklyn, New YorkABV: 30 percent. Get our freshest features and recipes weekly. Today, Amodeo makes two aperitivi, three amari and a fernet, inspired by their recipes, in a 2000-square-foot warehouse in the middle of D.C. A Negroni is a three-ingredient cocktail made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. The complexity arrives from a blend of more than 30 botanicals. In 2004, the year after Gruppo Campari bought Aperol, the parent company embarked on an aggressive marketing campaign positioning the new acquisition as the quintessential ingredient for the VenetianSpritz. It pours out adeep cola brown with outstanding bitterness and a wallop of black licorice. The brands range from international names to obscure spirits produced in small batches in secluded monasteries. $42 | Buy, Where its made: San FranciscoABV: 40 percent. At the Seattle specialty bar The Doctors Office, owner Matthew Powell, MD, says that a good aperitivo can play a few different roles at once. Its easy to see red when visiting Dante, a cocktail bar and restaurant in Greenwich Village: So many of the bottles on display glow ruby and crimson and scarlet. Unlike its sibling Campari, Aperol is fairly low in alcoholjust 11 percent ABVand is quite sweet. Ad Choices. Read On . The distillery uses cochineal, a crushed beetle, to give its Aperitivo the red flavoring, while Campari uses artificial dyes for its coloring. $24 |Buy, In the current ad campaign for Select Aperitivo, a bottle of bright red liqueur hovers over the Grand Canal. Nowadays, an Aperol Spritzes and Negronis are as well-known as Whiskey Sours or Martinis. A Luxardo Aperitivo (or Campari, or Aperol) and soda is the Foodist's favorite alternative to that popular-but-weighty summer cocktail. Descending from the Latin verb aperire, meaning to open, aperitivo gets its name from its role in opening up the appetite. We've received your email address, and soon you will start getting exclusive offers and news from Wine Enthusiast. Made from an Italian brandy base, this aperitivos botanical aromas will appeal to Campari fans, while its muted bitterness will lure in those who traditionally prefer Aperol. In order to get a feel for how these American bitter liqueurs stack up against their Italian counterparts, we tasted nearly 20 American renditions of aperitivi, amari and fernet. For travelers seeking an Italicus-laced spritz while enjoying some live jazz, the iconic Jazz Club Torino is a cant-miss cultural hub. Of those three ingredients, Campari is the only constant you can try any type of gin or sweet vermouth, but you better not add anything except Campari. Select Aperitivo Select Aperitivo is made using 30 botanicals with juniper berries and rhubarb root being the standouts. Its the perfect spot for exploratory imbibers. It's almost like a light, bracing beer: it cools you down and keeps your appetite up at the same time. Despite the aperitivos bitterness and herbal notes, its generally simple at heart, and not as complex as a digestive. Weighing in at 25 percent ABV, it is a great deal more potent than Luxardo Aperitivo, an orange-hued aperitif with a strong orange-driven flavor profile and an ABV of 11 percent. Privacy Policy, By continuing to use our Services and/or submitting the above information, you agree to our use of cookies and the terms of ourPrivacy Policy. The key ingredient to cocktails like the Americano, Boulevardier, and TikToks favorite Negroni Sbagliato, Campari is beloved for its bright red color and bittersweet flavor. Opt for a bartenders-choice Select spritz, grab a seat outside, and enjoy watching the gondolas go by. This offering that sits between Aperol and Campari has a flavor profile that is citrusy, a little bit sweet and mainly bitter, says Marco Montefiori, the U.S. and Latin America market manager for Gruppo Montenegro. At his bar, Powell serves a Negroni variation with an added portion of amaro to make it more of an after-dinner drink. There has been something of a boom in American aperitivos in the last few years, with new products coming out of Colorado, California and Washington, D.C. From 1951 until 1980, his two grandfathers made liqueurs together in the basement of one of their homes on Italys Amalfi Coast, until an earthquake hit, collapsing the entire house. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Take the word. $30| Buy, Where its made: Washington, D.C.ABV: 15 percent. By clicking Go, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Vox Medias Yet many brands have only been introduced to the American market over the last two decades. Campari will probably be the king of red bitters forever, Young says; and yet the growing number of red bitter brands available in the U.S. shows just how the category has grown. As Americans become increasingly thirsty for all things bitter and low-alcohol, a new crop of Italian aperitivo liqueurs has hit the U.S. market. Locale Firenze's adept bartenders can elevate your Aperitivo Rosato spritz with one of their unique serving vessels, or culinary-driven ingredients such as watermelon, truffle, peach, and even pecorino cheese. Less sweet than Campari, with attractive grapefruit peel and red fruit flavors, this is a well-balanced aperitivo with a lasting dry finish. Tastewise, both have a dominant bitter orange flavor. Firstly, it's hard to miss that this negroni is immediately a bit darker in the glass, owing to the Riserva Speciale Rubino vermouth, which is a very . $24 |Buy. Unfortunately, documents detailing its precise ingredients and history were lost when the distillery was leveled during the war. The red bittersweet liqueur was founded in 1920 and celebrated throughout Venice. The words Very Veneziano mingle with the clouds above. I'd rather have a nice, icy glass of soda mixed with any of the bright-red and bitter Italian liqueurs: Campari, Aperol, or, now that it's being imported into the U.S., Luxardo Aperitivo. A low-alcohol aperitivo bitter, it's made with thirty herbs, spices, and fruitsincluding bitter and sweet oranges, rhubarb, and gentian root. Like the classic Aperol Spritz, garnishing with a few slices of fruit brings the drink to life we recommend lemon or lime. Honeydew and prickly pear impart sweetness, tempering the bitterness of grapefruit and chicory. Perfect with an ice cube, or mix with Prosecco, club soda and an orange slice for a classic Spritz. As is the case with most aperitivi, the ingredients used to make it are held close to the chest. They might share the same scarlet glow, but not all bitter red aperitivi are created equal. What is Campari? Infused with cinchona bark (which you might recognize from its inclusion in tonic water), this is one for fans of extremely dry, bitter Negronis. Milans most prestigious and audacious new luxury stay. Bon Apptit may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Whether or not you love the taste of Aperol, the bright-orange Italian liqueur doesnt need to be the only thing youre drinking this summer. On the menu? Back in 1919, it produced the nations first vintage sparkling wine. By Robert Simonson. Meletti 1870 Bittercontain about double the alcohol and are oftenmore, well, bitter. It has a crimson red color that actually comes from crushed cochineal insects! This one, made from 12 different aromatic ingredients, is admirably light and dry. Leopold Bros. Aperitivo also takes steps that seem to be direct charges against Campari. Leopold Bros. Aperitivo. Contratto has a strikingly beautiful bottle and bright red hue, which comes from 100-percent natural carrot and red beet extracts. It uses carmine for its colorthe same deep red derived from cochineal beetles that made Venetian merchants famous for centuries (also used in red lipsticks and sausages). This latest innovation from this Italian company is inspired by a recipe that dates to 1872. The liqueur combines three separate distillatessweet orange, bitter orange and a spice and herb infusionwhich are blended with pure spirit to create a 25 percent ABV mildly bitter aperitif with notes of citrus, gentian, coriander, cinnamon and clove. Peychauds Aperitivo arrived in late 2015 and is now sold in more than 30 states and overseas. Todd Leopold, of Leopold Brothers, thinks there is room on the shelf for everyone. Naren Young's drink sees red bitters combined with pineapple, coconut and spicy chili tincture, for a riff on the Italian classic by way of Thailand. When you think of Aperol, the Aperol Spritz immediately comes to mind. In this column he goes through them, one by one.Foodist knows best! Angelo Severini, head bartender at the Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotels Tiepolo Bar, points to the northwestern city of Turin's Piano 35 Lounge Bar, which sits on the 35th floor of a panoramic skyscraper, as the perfect venue to enjoy an aperitivo like the Campari-laced Negroni Sbagliato. Eric Seed, principal of Haus Alpenz, the U.S.-based wine and spirits importer that represents Cappelletti in America, says that the bittersweet liqueurwith notes of citrus peel and berriesadds a great texture to any spritz. Its crafted with thirty botanicals, only two of which are confirmed by the brand: rhubarb root and juniper. At The Doctors Office, Powell notes that aperitivi and digestivi often share the same ingredients and flavors. Even within this strict category, the differences between the liqueurs lets you switch things up a bit. Cinnamon has that danger of going into the Fireball ridiculous place and this doesnt do it, it stays in the savory side of things., How it tastes: Winters will only divulge four of the 14 ingredients that go into his texturally complex aperitivo. Average price: $23. Swap Out Campari for One of These 9 Red Aperitifs Instead. The color, derived from beet extract and hibiscus, is a nice counter to Campari's artificially dyed drink, and its strong botanical composition will have you taking sip after sip to get a taste of every ingredient. Average price: $25. Compared to Campari, Gran Classico has a slightly higher ABV, 28 percent, and retains Campari's viscosity while turning up the bitterness to max. Leopold Bros. Aperitivo also takes steps that seem to be direct charges against Campari. None of these distillers expect to get rich hopping on the Campari train. An assortment of aperitivos, from left, Cinque and Rabarbaro by Don Ciccio & Figli, Peychauds Aperitivo by Sazerac, Galliano LAperitivo by Galliano, Bruto Americano of St. George Spirits and Luna Amara by Don Ciccio & Figli. . Since 1935, the brand has also made an Aperol-adjacent aperitivo, blending 28 botanicals with Italian brandy. The Spritz th. Other old-school aperitivo favorites include Meletti 1870, Contratto Bitter and Luxardo Aperitivo, among many others. Get regular updates from NYT Cooking, with recipe suggestions, cooking tips and shopping advice. It's a slight modification that makes a huge difference when it comes to taste. Long before vermouth, bitters, and amari, rosolioa category of Italian liqueur that varies in flavor depending on where its producedwas the king of aperitivi in Milan and Turin. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. At around 28% ABV (alcohol by volume) Campari is relatively high proof compared to other liqueurs and amaros. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. A Guide to Italian Bitter Aperitivo Liqueurs, A Guide to the Best American Amari and Aperitivi, The Modern Bartender's Go-To Well Spirits, Italian Aperitivo Finds Its Footing in America, The Only Wine You Need This Holiday Season, Natural Wine Welcomes You, Mosel Riesling, Fred Jerbis Is Recreating the Italian Classics. Campari's citrusy bittersweet flavor served as a point of inspiration for Leopold Bros.' Aperitivo, which is less sweet than the original, with bitterness balanced by citrus and red fruit notes. While Aperol and Campari have a lot in common they are Italian aperitifs, a category of bittersweet liqueurs made to be consumed before a meal, and are both owned by the Campari Group understanding their differences is key to knowing how to use them. Cappelletti offers sweet, bitter, citrus and herbal notes with vinous texture and a drying finish, says Eric Seed, owner of Haus Alpenz, which imports the product. When mixed with. Three rare botanicals [Italian artemisia, African caluma and Angostura bark] deliver a unique richness and complexity through different dimensions of bitterness, says global Martini ambassador Roberta Mariani. Add one of these eight to your shelf. Cappelletti Aperitivo Americano Rosso Bitter, sweet, herbal Cappelletti looks like Campari, but, unlike the category leader, this Italian aperitivo is made with a wine base. Simple, refreshing, and the ideal choice for warm-weather day drinking. Cappelletti in Trento, at the edge of the Dolomites. For example, a Negroni, which is made with Campari traditionally.. Cities across America have eagerly embraced this slow, mindful drinking occasion with bars such as New Yorks award-winning Dante and Seattles intimate Barnacle recreating the cultural phenomenon stateside. All rights reserved. Like the companys beloved aromatic bitters indispensable in a Sazerac, Peychauds aperitivo boasts a unique and subtle sweetness that lingers throughout. Things like oranges, orange peel, rhubarb, gentian and anise are found in both. Mixing an aperitivo with tonic water, flavored or unflavored spring water, or a lemon-lime or orange soda are less complicated takes. Thank You! Ibisco also has some awards under its belt including wins at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition and American Craft Spirit Association. Flavored with wormwood, bitter and sweet orange peel, cardamom, gentian and juniper berries, along with mint, ginger, rhubarb and sage, its less bitter than Campari and the flavor profile is less dominant and more balanced, according to Anja Cramer, the export manager and an owner of the brand. But, then again, its your call. If you walk through any Italian city or town around 5 PM or so, theres a high chance youll see lots of people sitting on rickety folding chairs at tiny tables, while sipping red and orange drinks from massive, ice-filled goblets. These follow through on the palate, but are met with a red cherry liqueur note, reminiscent of a far more delicious version of a Ludens cough drop. Over the past century and a half, Campari has grown from a tiny basement business into a dominant global brand that features prominently in Italian classic cocktails, including the Negroni, the Negroni Sbagliato and the Garibaldi. Get the latest in beer, wine, and cocktail culture sent straight to your inbox. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Aperitivi (plural for aperitivo or aperitivo bitters)a type of bittersweet, herbal liqueurshave existed for hundreds of years. It's a fine drink, but when it's hitting 95 degrees outside on a regular basis, it's just too rich, and too strong. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Kelly Magyarics, DWS, is a wine, spirits, travel, food and lifestyle writer and wine educator. Still, they see an opportunity. Producer: Vincenzi; Region: Italy; Alcohol: 11%; Age: No; Kosher for . The Dipinto di Blu, which marries Italicus with vodka, lime, ginger, basil, lemonade, and magic blue coloring (which renders the drink a light-blue hue). Well here's the thing: Campari isn't the only ruby-hued bittersweet aperitif that can be used to make an excellent Negroni. Gran Classico is insanely flavorful, owing to its 25 botanicals ranging from a variety of herbs and roots. It also noted that the Peychaud's Aperitivo is 22 proof, which happens to be the same as Aperol (Campari clocks in at a much more robust 48 proof). By Andrew Knowlton. It's delicate, likely from its floral ingredients, but still incredibly flavorful and nuanced. According to Maestrelli, there are hundreds, probably, of different amaro brands in Italy. Similarly, Calvados and grappa are often consumed after meals as a supposed digestive aid, but they are not considered digestivo liqueurs. If you're a fan of cocktails like the Negroni or Americano, Cappelletti is a great replacement for the . Lo-Fi Aperitifs uses its location in California to turn local grapes from Napa into fortified wines that make the base for its Gentian Amaro and vermouths, both sweet and dry. The easy-to-drink, 17 percent ABV Blood Orange is bright and zippy, like you ate the actual fruit, rind and all. Made with more than 50 ingredients, including rhubarb, Alpine herbs like sage, lavender, cardamom, and Mediterranean bergamot, bitter orange, chinotto, tangerine and grapefruit, this Italian spirit has fresh citrus notes, mild sweetness and a long, gentle finish. Indeed, bitter cocktails like the Negroni, which calls for Campari, and the Aperol spritz have soared in popularity, partly because young bartenders share their love of acerbic flavors with their customers. By 1880, Campari had caught on as an aperitivo rather than a digestive, which gained it a unique place in the market. The blanc is typified by white flowers and grape notes, while the ros is fruitier, with peach and honey aromas and flavors of orange and stone fruit. Here are 15 Rum Drinks To Try Next, 3 Campari Cocktails that Go Beyond a Basic Negroni. The spirit is the perfect in-between of Aperol and Campari not too sweet and not too bitter. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Terms of Use The Cinque is so named for his grandfathers aperitivo that included five botanicals;he, however, makes his with 12. While all liqueurs are made with different ingredients, almost all start by infusing a neutral spirit or wine with a blend of natural ingredients like herbs, fruits, or flowers. In addition to serving as a nice social bridge from the rest of your day to sitting down for a meal with people, you have herbal elements that are intended to stimulate the appetite, he says. A contemporary Italian refuge in a 12th-century Umbrian monastery. The Washington D.C.-based Don Ciccio & Figli makes a wonderful Campari alternative in the form of its Luna Aperitivo. Its gold-amber color means the liqueur doesnt look like a Campari alternative, but its recipe, which contains 25 herbs and roots, capably delivers the flavors required to stand up in a Negroni. Negronis might be a global favorite, but the aperitivos apogee is probably the spritz, a versatile drink that originated in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. Bear in mind that language is slippery and there can be drinks that are considered aperitivi and digestive that dont necessarily fall into either category. $34 |Buy, This ruby-red aperitif is made by the family-owned Antica Erboristeria Dott. Yes, I sometime get accused of drinking a cranberry, vodka, and soda (and yes, there is something wrong with that), but the drink's mix of bitter and bubbles with a slice of citrus is worth it. Forthave Spirits is one of those distilleries. Get the latest in beer, wine, and cocktail culture sent straight to your inbox. The contratto aperitif, a rich, layered, multifaceted red wine, is an Italian beverage that has a lot to offer.With 28 botanicals (10 of which are strictly kept secret), the drink has an . He bottlesit at the same ABVand sugar levels as Campari, which makes it an easy sub in classic cocktails. Italicus is light-bodied with a perfect balance of floral and citrus notes, making it a cult favorite among those whove had the pleasure of tasting it. And a few bottles, like the artichoke-based Cynar, are celebrated for being able to function as either an aperitivo or a digestivoa two-faced drink, Maestrelli calls it. Heres a survey of what has made it to the U.S. from Italy. We have seen a lot more entries in that category for really the first time, said Jana Ritter, the marketing manager for the Sazerac Company, which produces a wide assortment of liquors. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Megan Krigbaum is a Brooklyn-based wine and drinks writer and contributor to numerous publications. Because Contratto also claims a vineyard and winery, travelers have the opportunity to try the brand at the source by booking a day tour. How it tastes: Of all of these bottlings, this was perhaps the most classic example of thestyle, with the right burn, astringency and balance on the palate. It's not as artificially red as Campari, and Luna's flavor matches its darker hue. The amaro company Montenegro, which acquired Select in 1988, is poised to launch the aperitif in the U.S. in 2016. Try an alternative aperitivo in your next Negroni. But vegans are safe these days because . Released in 2015, the Aperitivo from Denver-based Leopold Bros. was practically made to take on Campari. The larger firms stopped using natural cochineal in the early 2000s,switching instead to petroleum-based Red Dye No. The Feud Over Italy's Most Mysterious Wine Estate. If youre a Campari lover, then the Canelli, Piedmont-based Contratto Bitter should be the next bottle in your cart. Italian aperitivo and digestivo are distinct categories of spirits, with fairly specific uses and characteristics, from colors and flavors to alcoholic strength. Unlike the Italian wine industry, which strictly enforces production techniques and nomenclature, other categories of alcohol are decidedly less regulated, a reality that breeds creativity and confusion in equal measure. Order a classic Cappelletti-based spritz (or a Negroni Sbagliato with Cappelletti for drinkers who enjoy Aperol Spritz-style cocktails), or order it on its own in a wine glass and enjoy the bitter in its unadulterated glory. Here, the top bottles from our tasting, the stories behind them and what they taste like. Campari is the best-known liqueur in a delicious category called red bitter liqueurs, which include other favorites like Select Aperitivo or Contratto. Sipped alone, or with gin and sweet vermouth, Gran Classico offers a lasting, complex finish, dominated by rhubarb, burnt orange peel, and gentian. By subscribing to our newsletter(s) you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement.
