I'm still surprised that I wrote a recipe for a Campari Margarita. Honestly, it's the only way I've ever liked Campari - and man, have I tried. The bitter liquor, used judiciously, really melds into a margarita in a way that I've come to enjoy.
Campari Margarita at a Glance
- ⏳ Total Time: 5 minutes
- 🥂 Serves: 2
- 🍽️ Calories: 194
- 🍋🟩 Main Ingredients: Tequila, lime juice, triple sec, Campari, simple syrup
- 👌 Why You'll Love It: The one Campari drink that's easy to like - it adds just enough bitterness to a margarita without becoming overwhelming.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS RECIPE ON
I'm sure some of you are in the same boat - you've got a mostly full bottle of Campari sitting around. No one will take it off your hands, you don't enjoy drinking it, and yet you don't want to pour it down the drain. This recipe is for you.
I bought my bottle when I tried to diversify our cocktail options. I tried several different drinks - all of which, unfortunately for us, screamed Campari. One day I made margaritas and wondered how Campari would work with it; tequila's already a little bitter, so maybe it would blend in?
Indeed it did. Like my Classic Margarita, this version still takes tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and enough simple syrup to make it sweet but not overwhelming - and just the right amount of Campari to make it drinkable.
Jump to:
Why This Drink Is Worth Making
- ⚡ Takes just 5 minutes to make
- 🍹 A serious but stunning cocktail with a pretty pink hue
- 🍾 Uses up that bottle of Campari that's been neglected on your countertop.
Key Ingredients
Tequila: Choose a light, unaged tequila; gold tequila will add other flavors to the cocktail.
Lime juice: Use freshly squeezed juice in a cocktail. Bottled juice can be used to supplement if you run short, but has preservatives that will make the drink taste off if used in large quantities. If you have extra limes, use them for my Steak Salad with Lime and Cashews.
Triple sec: Often included in margaritas, it adds orange flavor. I've started using higher-end Cointreau; other brands work fine, too.
Simple syrup: Counters the bitterness and booze. You can swap in sugar (which needs a few minutes to dissolve), or an equal part of agave syrup.
Campari: The point of the cocktail. Campari is a bitter aperitif that has citrus peel or grapefruit flavors - it's hard to describe, and sometimes hard to appreciate. It melds well with tequila if you don't use too much; this drink uses just enough to notice without overwhelming the drink.
How to Make a Campari Margarita
Fill a cocktail shaker (affiliate link) with plenty of ice - at least one cup. It will not only chill the cocktail - it adds water to the drink as you mix it, which reduces the alcohol-by-volume and makes it more drinkable.
Add ingredients, and shake for at least 30 seconds. You need thorough mixing to get the sweetened triple sec and Campari to mix with the other ingredients. Strain into two glasses.
No shaker? Mix in a large glass filled with ice. Mix well, take a 30 second break, then mix for another 30. You need a little longer when not shaking the cocktail.
Campari Margarita FAQs
My Campari Margarita isn't overwhelmingly bitter. If you like your margaritas very sweet, you'll likely find this too bitter; if you already like serious, strong, not-too-sweet margaritas, Campari will enhance the bitterness without being too much.
You can cut the Campari in half if desired, substituting triple sec; the taste will change slightly. I don't recommend adding extra syrup; it won't hide the bitterness.
More Cocktails to Try
I hope this becomes a recipe you'll return to. If you try it, a star rating below helps others find it - and I'd love to hear how yours turns out in the comments! 💕 Questions or trouble? Drop a note, and I'll do my best to help.
📖 Recipe
Campari Margarita
Equipment
- cocktail shaker (affiliate link)
Ingredients
- 3 ounces white tequila (6 tablespoons)
- 1.5 ounces lime juice (3 tablespoons)
- 1 ounce triple sec (2 tablespoons)
- .5 ounce Campari (1 tablespoon)
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup (~0.5-0.75 ounces; add to taste)
- sugar (optional; to rim the glass)
Instructions
- Shake all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Strain into two glasses and serve.
Leona Konkel says
I've further tested this recipe and adjusted the ratios. Definitely worth making to use up that bottle of Campari!
John says
That was the nastiest drink I ever tasted and a waste of tequila. You did warn me and like you I have a bottle of Campari for years. There’s a receipe for a mule that’s not bad. You should try it.
Leona Konkel says
I'm sorry that you didn't like it. I drank this more like a martini, but recently I've been drinking my margaritas over crushed ice and I think this cocktail would benefit from that. I would also probably increase the simple syrup if I were to make it again today.
Leona Konkel says
I appreciate the honest feedback years ago. I've since revised this recipe, adjusting the ratios based on testing. It's worth another try.
Another thought aimed at future readers: While I have a fresh bottle of Campari I'm using right now, an opened bottle will begin to taste off after around a year, like most liqueurs do.