Campari is a branded alcoholic beverage (between 20-24% alcohol by volume) introduced in Italy in 1860 by Gaspare Campari: it is a mild bitters-type apéritif, often drunk with soda, orange juice, or in mixed drinks. Though the recipe is a proprietary secret, its characteristic flavor is bitter orange peel. There is an Italian soft drink, Chinotto which has a similar flavour and it seems likely the Chinotto fruit could form part of the flavouring of Campari. Campari's bright red color comes from natural carmine, which is derived from cochineal, which is used in other Italian alcoholic drinks, as for example Alchermes.

Large scale production and export began in 1904 when the first production plant was opened in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy. Though bitter Campari is most common today, a sweet Campari, that was light yellow in color, was once produced. Though unconfirmed, the drink known as Suze, produced by the Pernod company in France, may be at least similar to the yellow campari.

In the Italian market, Campari mixed with carbonated water is sold in individual bottles as CampariSoda (10% alcohol by volume). CampariSoda is packaged in a distinctive bottle that was designed in the 1930s by Fortunato Depero. CampariSoda was first created in 1932. While the company has been quoted suggesting it to be the first pre-mixed drink in the world, premixed home-bottled punches actually date to the 18th century, and commercially, Pimm's Cup N°1 (a bottled gin sling) and the Heublein Club Cocktail line both were marketed by the 1880s.

The Sesto San Giovanni antique factory has been closed recently and converted to become the Campari Museum, displaying Campari's history related items.

Campari was William Holden's favorite drink and he made sure his Mount Kenya Safari Club was always well stocked. It was also the drink of choice for the character Steve Zissou from the 2004 film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.


from Wikipedia