Campari Developing a Campari Palate

A unique and unmistakable recipe has characterized Campari, the aperitif par excellence, for over 150 years.
The inimitable Campari recipe, used as the basis of many cocktails served worldwide, has been kept the same since its inception and remained a closely guarded secret, passed down over the years. Campari is the result of the infusion of herbs, aromatic plants and fruit in alcohol and water; these last two being the recipe?s only known ingredients. Many have guessed simply at the number of ingredients: some say there are 20 or 60, but others list the ingredients at 80.

Campari does have a very unique flavor, one that can take some getting used to. It's prominant flavor is that of a strong bitter orange similar to if you were to drop orange bitters directly on your tongue. It has many uses in cocktails, though for those unaccostumed to the taste Campari-forward drinks like the popular Negroni, Americano, or Campari and Soda can be overwhelming.

If you have tried one of those drinks and found them to be too bitter, please do not discount Campari altogether. In multiple experiments (including my own) I have found that for some individuals it is best to introduce Campari gently. I often suggest that people begin with Campari and orange juice (built like a Screwdriver) or a similar fruit-forward drink.You will find the bitterness is softened and you can slowly build your palate to include Campari in a purer form. This slow integration works almost every time and, though it may take a few years, it is worth the journey for achieving a more sophisticated palate.