One of my girlfriend’s favorite beverages is a Boulevardier, which is a drink composed of bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari. So why not write about her favorite beverage additive Campari. You have probably seen the very recognizable bottle behind just about every bar that makes quality drinks. It is a luscious red color, much like the lipstick on the girl you’ve been trying to take home all night.
Entertainingly my girlfriend is an art lover as well and Campari has a history of collaboration with creative minds and emerging artists throughout history. Campari’s headquarters in Milan has a museum that takes you on a trip though Campari’s creativity and pioneering approach in art and design. Look up Campari and art and you find some amazing designs or just go here: Art of Campari | Campari (campariau.com).
A quick history lesson….. Gaspare Campari lived in Novara, Italy and is the inventor of Campari. Gaspare began his experimentation using a variety of different herbs, spices, and other top-secret ingredients. The color is unique, and it is provided by carmine dye which is derived from crushed cochineal insects which gives it the distinct red color. Cochineal insects?? What?!?! Yeah, I was too…. According to Wikipedia it is a sessile parasite (Yeah parasite!!!) native to tropical and subtropical South America through North America that lives on cacti; however, it discontinued the use of carmine in 2006. Though the idea of drinking insect-tinted liquor may sound unappetizing, the dye is, after all, natural and one of the reasons to change was the fact it wasn’t vegan friendly, and potential caused allergic reactions. I guess Red Number 5 is not good enough!? After twenty years of experimentation, he settled on a recipe for his creation which was born in 1860s that has become the Campari that we all know and drink today. Gaspare opened a bar in Milan and Campari’s popular continued it upward trajectory.
Gaspare passed away in 1882 and although he was successful, the business really kicked into gear when it was inherited by his sons David and Guido. By 1904 the production had become so large that Campari opened its first production plant and that is when the international sales got started.
So next time you’re at a bar try a Boulevardier, a Campari Spritz, or a Negroni which are quite the popular drinks. Or my most recent variation of the Negroni a Coffee Negroni.
ABV: 24%/48 Proof
Country: Italy
Website: Campari
Libations:
