At Home Cocktails with Campari

Staying in is the new going out. So, who’s with me? But seriously, in the past year it’s like a switch went off in my head and all of sudden, nothing sounds better than staying in during the weekends in sweatpants. My wardrobe is split between athleisure and office appropriate attire, and I couldn’t be happier to part ways with my going out clothes. Most weekends, there’s nothing I’d rather do than curl up on the couch with a book or movie and call it an early night. OR, we’ll make homemade pizza and pasta with our new pasta maker (fresh pasta is a GAME CHANGER) and pair it with a light cocktail. Think Italian aperitivo – a spritz or a Campari cocktail.

If you’re not familiar with Campari, it’s red liquer that is made by infusing herbs and fruits in alcohol and water. The result is a bitter aperitif that is used in popular cocktails such as a Negroni or Americano.

Personally, I am a huge fan of the slightly more bitter taste and think the liquer is SO refreshing – especially in the summer in Europe! So, this weekend, I chose to stay in and test out some Campari recipes while watching Campari’s short film, The Legend of Red Hand, the second installment to Campari Red Diaries (an annual campaign that showcases how every cocktail tells a story!).

Starring globally-renowned actress Zoe Saldana, best known for her work in Avatar and the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, and Italian actor Adriano Giannini, The Legend of Red Hand paints a thrilling mystery that takes viewers around the world in the pursuit of the perfect Campari cocktail. The short film is directed by Italy’s award-winning Stefano Sollima.

The short film opens in Milan, the birthplace of Campari, where Zoe Saldana’s character Mia Parc begins her quest to uncover the “Red Hand” – the craftsman behind the perfect Campari cocktails. Her search leads her around the world, ultimately finding many bartenders that create the best cocktails with Campari.

Though Mia may be a fictional character, the bartenders she meets are real-life masters of their craft. In addition, in the brief appearances in The Legend of Red Hand, the six bartenders have created their own Campari signature cocktails and teased their cocktails via short videos which you can view on the Campari YouTube page. So, for my weekend at home, I tested out Leo Robitschek’s cocktail, a twist on the classic Negroni, which can be found at the NoMad hotel in DTLA.

The cocktail and video go hand in hand. In fact, Campari’s very ethos is that “every cocktail tells a story.” Also, I love when companies push the envelope when it comes to branding and content. So, as someone who works in the entertainment industry, I am always impressed when brands enter the content space and experiment with bringing together their product and entertainment. This short video made by Campari is vivid and stunning – it even stars one of my favorite actresses, Zoe Saldana! Not a bad way to spend a Friday night, right?

Recipes for an Americano and a Negroni with a twist below – enjoy with classic Italian aperitivo snacks such as potato chips, olives, and nuts. Cheers!

At Home Cocktails with Campari

Americano Recipe

This classic aperitivo cocktail is light, refreshing, and easy to drink. It’s perfect for days when you want something less heavy and not as boozy. It brings me back to my last visit to Italy instantly.

1 oz. Campari
1 oz. vermouth
Soda water

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass, add ice, and stir. Garnish with half an orange slice.

Jitney Negroni Recipe { from Nomad Los Angeles }

Created by Leo Robitschek for Campari Red Diaries

This recipe is sure to impress your guests and perfect for a dinner party. It’s very booze forward, so keep that in mind when drinking! It’s a refreshing take on a classic Negroni. The instructions looked complicated initially. However, I found it to be easy to follow – and I’m by no means a professional mixologist! If you want to simplify it even more, remove the step with coffee.

¾ oz. Campari
¾ oz. Sombra Mezcal
½ oz. Cinzano Extra Dry Vermouth infused with Coffee*
½ oz. Cinzano Bianco Vermouth
2 dashes of Absinthe

*Coffee-infused Vermouth: Macerate 5 oz. of coarsely ground coffee in 750 ml of Vermouth for 10 minutes. Strain and refrigerate.

Instructions: First, combine all the ingredients in a mixing glass. Then, add ice, stir and strain into a rocks glass with a large ice cube. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

This post was written in partnership with Campari. As always, all opinions are my own.