Looking for a refreshingly smooth cocktail to impress your guests? Try this delicious Pineapple Campari Cocktail recipe! Made with fresh pineapple juice. Sip on this tropical drink and transport yourself to a sunny beach vacation. Get the recipe and step-by-step instructions here.
We’ve taken the classic cocktail and given it the perfect balance of sweet and bitter flavors. It’s easy to make and delicious to sip.
Why we love Pineapple Campari Cocktail
The soft foam top provides a soft texture, making it the perfect sipper.
Pineapple juice is an ideal pairing with Campari for a refreshing summer drink and it provides a sweet balance to this bitter liqueur.
If there’s anything that could be a problem it is how easy it is to drink! It may have been called “Julie’s Downfall” at one time.
The beautiful red color makes it perfect for the holidays. With only 3 steps, it’s the perfect cocktail for entertaining.
What is Campari?
Campari is an alcoholic liqueur, considered an apéritif obtained from the infusion of herbs and fruit in alcohol and water. It is bitter and characterized by its red color.
Are Campari and Aperol the same thing?
No. Both are Italian aperitifs. Campari was created in Milan in 1860. Their top-secret original recipe is the same today. It has an intense orange peel, rhubarb, and bark flavor. Its hue is a beautiful red.
Aperol is also an Italian liqueur. Its ingredients include bitter rhubarb, vegetal gentian root, and cinchona tree bark. They have orange zest and vanilla flavors. Aperol isn’t as bitter and has a pleasant sweetness that Campari doesn’t. It has more of an orange hue and has a lower alcohol content (11%) than Campari (20.5-28.5%).
I found this article very interesting.
Classic Campari Cocktails
There are a lot of variations for any cocktail. However, traditionalists drink Campari simply with soda water 2:1 with an orange slice.
Here are some favorite recipes with Campari:
- Campari Spritz – Campari, Prosecco (or other sparkling wine), club soda water.
- Classic Negroni – Campari, sweet vermouth, gin.
- Americano – Campari, sweet vermouth, club soda water.
- Boulevardier Cocktail – Campari, sweet vermouth, bourbon or rye whiskey
Items you may need
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- Cocktail Bartender Kit. We have this set and it includes the cocktail shaker needed to make this cocktail. The quality is very nice. You could also use a mixing glass.
- Rocks Glass – Call us snobs, but drinks just taste better when you’re sipping from a nice glass.
Essential Pineapple Campari Ingredients
- Campari – May substitute Aperol for a less bitter option
- Pineapple Juice – We use a fresh, not from concentrate variety.
- Vermouth – Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth is our preference.
- Angostura bitters – 1 or 2 shakes are all it takes.
How to Make a Campari Drink
- Fill a rocks glass with ice to chill while you mix the drink. You will discard this ice and refresh it with new ice before serving.
- Combine all of the drink ingredients and ice in a drink shaker. Shake aggressively until chilled.
- Add fresh ice to the glass and pour the chilled drink into the glass, straining out and discarding the shaker ice. Shaking the drink blends the ingredients together and creates a smooth foam on the top of the drink.
- Garnish with a wedge of fresh pineapple and serve.
How do you drink Campari?
The best cocktail glasses to serve cocktails with Campari are a rocks glass or highball glass with ice.
They are generally simple to make without too many ingredients but can get pretty fancy too. Experiment with your mixed drinks. That’s the way that we came up with this delicious Pineapple Campari cocktail recipe.
Campari cocktails recipes can be combined with common alcohol such as gin, vodka, whiskey or bourbon, prosecco, and sparkling wine, which include dry white wines such as a Sauvignon Blanc or a pinot grigio.
This bittersweet aperitif can include sparkling water, tonic water, club soda, simple syrup, orange soda, or juices such as grapefruit juice or fresh orange juice.
Bitters are spirits infused with aromatic plants, fruit, or spices. My favorite bitters include orange bitters, grapefruit, and Angostura. A few drops is an easy way to add flavor to a classic cocktail.
Garnishes can include a lime wheel, lemon twist, herbs such as mint or rosemary, or a maraschino cherry to really show off this rosy cocktail.
Are you looking for more amazing cocktails?
We love a good cocktail! You can find all of our great cocktails here!
Cocktails with Compari can be an acquired taste. Why not try this Pineapple Campari recipe and let me know what you think?
This recipe was published on 12/26/2020 and has been updated to improve readers’ experience. No change was made to the recipe.
Finger Food Recipes to Pair with Cocktails
- Boozy Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
- Baked Blackened Shrimp
- Turkey Meatball Appetizer
- Bacon Crab Dip
Paige
Tuesday 19th of January 2021
Wow, this looks super refreshing and I love Compari!
Julie Menghini
Wednesday 20th of January 2021
Thank you!
Sandra Shaffer
Monday 18th of January 2021
I have a bottle of Campari that has been underused, so I'm happy to find this cocktail with pineapple juice. Easy... and I have all the ingredients!
Julie Menghini
Tuesday 19th of January 2021
Perfect! Thanks, Sandra!
Debi
Sunday 17th of January 2021
We bought a bottle of campari years ago (man that lasts a long time!). so I'm always on the lookout for stuff to do with it. This was delicious and the color is so pretty!
Julie Menghini
Sunday 17th of January 2021
Thank you, Debi! I have that bottle of Campari that's got to be 2 years old already too LOL!
michele
Saturday 16th of January 2021
I wasnt sure about this at all... but a friend said I had to make it for card night and had used your recipe in the past.... boy was she right! This was delicious and kind of addicting! I loved being able to learn about all the tidbitss too! Cheers!
Julie Menghini
Saturday 16th of January 2021
Thanks, Michele! It would definitely make card night a whole lot of fun!
MICHAELA KENKEL
Saturday 16th of January 2021
That photo invited me right in! I grabbed the ingredients and shook these up for the hubs and me last night -- SO GOOD! I am so excited I have more pineapple, I am making some tonight, too! ;)
Julie Menghini
Saturday 16th of January 2021
We love this one too!