Campari or Aperol, Two Bitters at Sundown

Evening on the busy streets of Milan, or in the old alleys of Padua. The sun is going down, laying gold on the stone fronts and the cobbles underfoot. You want a drink that tastes of Italy: bright, sharp, with a little sweetness under it. Two old names in the Italian aperitivo step forward, Campari and Aperol.

Campari is the passionate Italian lover you never quite forget. It was born in the 1860s from the restless mind of Gaspare Campari, a bartender who could not stop inventing, after night upon night of trial and error. With a blend of dried herbs, spices, and fruit peel, Gaspare struck gold. His red drink was less a beverage than a feeling, and it brought the smart set of Milan back to his bar night after night.

As the years went by, Campari’s call carried far past Italy. By the early 20th century the fiery red drink was no longer Italy’s secret. The world wanted a glass. Campari Orange, Campari Soda, and the Spritz arrived one after another, each a new verse in the long Campari song.

Every good story needs a rival. Enter Aperol, the work of the Barbieri brothers, Luigi and Silvio. Fresh back from a trip to France and full of ideas, the two set out to make a drink that could stand beside Campari. It would play on the tongue with orange, rhubarb, and a mix of herbs. The streets of the Veneto saw this bright orange drink born, and before long every household knew its name.

Aperol would not be outdone either. Word of it spread fast. New versions such as the Aperol Spritz and Aperol and Ginger appeared, each giving the original more layers to stand on.

Here is the hard part: how do you choose? It is like asking someone to pick between Verdi and Puccini. Both are masters, and they are nothing alike.

Campari is for those who want a long affair with bitterness, a drink that takes your full attention and keeps it. Aperol is the gentler lover, with a hint of limoncello about it and a softer, sweeter hold.

If you are minding your step, thinking of the dancing later in the evening, Aperol’s lower alcohol may be the better partner. The sun goes down either way. The glass only decides how slowly.