Campari vs. Aperol Cocktails and Flavor Profiles

Aperol spritzes — Campari and Aperol are similar in color but pretty different in taste. Vera Prokhorova / Shutterstock

Stroll into a lively piazza in Italy, and you’ll spot a bright orange drink in a wine glass. That’s your cue you’re about to hear the Campari vs. Aperol debate.

Both Campari and Aperol are iconic aperitifs with a bitter taste and starring roles in mixed drinks. Use this guide to discover your best match for any party, summer gathering, or multi-course meal.

Contents

Origins and Inventors
Key Differences at a Glance
Flavor Profiles and Ingredients
Classic Cocktails and Ingredients
Choosing Based on Taste and Preference

Origins and Inventors

Bottle of Campari — The Campari Group bottles both Campari and Aperol. monticello / Shutterstock

Campari was invented in 1860 by Gaspare Campari near Milan, in the town of Novara, Italy. Aperol appeared in 1919, created by brothers Luigi and Silvio Barbieri in Padua.

These brands became famous for being served before food to stimulate appetite—a tradition still enjoyed from Rome to coastal towns across Italy.

Key Differences at a Glance

Alcohol content: Campari is stronger (20 to 28 percent alcohol); Aperol sits at 11 percent alcohol.
Flavor: Campari leans toward a strongly bitter profile with notes of bitter orange, clove, and cinnamon; Aperol is smoother and sweeter, dominated by orange citrus with subtle herbal notes.
Color: Campari is deep red; Aperol is bright orange.
Best uses: Campari stars in Negroni, Americano, and a classic cocktail built with soda; Aperol shines in an Aperol spritz and other light, delicious drinks.
Occasions: Campari pairs with hearty courses; Aperol tends to suit summer parties, outdoor meals, and afternoon sipping.

Flavor Profiles and Ingredients

Campari’s bold bitterness comes from a blend of herbs, spices (such as clove and cinnamon), and citrus peel, balanced by hints of cherry sweetness. Aperol offers sweet notes of orange, subtle herbs, and a softer, smoother taste.

Both can be mixed with gin, vermouth, prosecco, sparkling water, soda, limoncello, or wine. Served over ice in a glass with an orange slice for a fresh, aromatic aperitif, both Campari and Aperol balance bitter and sweet in different ways.

Classic Cocktails and Ingredients

This cocktail set shows how each brand’s flavor, alcohol content, and ingredients create balance.

Negroni: Gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth
Americano: Campari, sweet vermouth, soda
Aperol Spritz: Aperol, prosecco, sparkling water
Limoncello Spritz: Aperol or Campari, limoncello, prosecco
Vanilla Citrus Mix: Aperol or Campari with orange, vanilla, herbs, and soda
Rosemary and Clove Sparkler: Campari or Aperol with prosecco, rosemary, and clove garnish.

Choosing Based on Taste and Preference

Many a summer drink recipe calls for Aperol. Real_life_photo / Shutterstock

If you prefer a bitter cocktail with herbal complexity, Campari is the way to go. If you prefer a sweeter, citrus-led drink with smooth balance, Aperol is your match.

Many drinkers enjoy both, switching based on the food, season, or simply the idea of trying something different.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.