Campari Bitter, Italy (25%, 70cl)

In the bustling cafés of 1860s Milan, Gaspare Campari perfected his ruby-red masterpiece - a liquid revolution that would define Italian aperitivo culture for centuries. This 25% ABV icon derives its unmistakable character from a secret alchemy of bitter oranges, aromatic herbs, and rare spices, macerated to create that perfect tension between citrus brightness and botanical depth. The exact recipe remains locked in Novara, though connoisseurs detect whispers of cinchona bark and wild cherries beneath its gem-like translucence.

The aroma alone transports you to Lake Como's citrus groves - blood orange zest dancing with rhubarb compote and vanilla pod warmth. That first sip delivers sun-ripened sweetness that gradually yields to gentian root's earthy embrace, finishing with quinine's clean bitterness that lingers like a Milanese sunset. The legendary vibrant hue, once achieved with carmine but now through natural alternatives, remains as intense as the day it debuted at Caffè Campari.

Tradition demands it served over ice with soda and orange wedge, the effervescence lifting its complex botanicals. Yet its true genius emerges in cocktails: it forms the beating heart of every Negroni, brings structure to Americanos, and adds bitter sophistication to grapefruit-rich Garibaldis. Modern mixologists even pair it with aged rum in tropical concoctions, proving its timeless adaptability.

Each bottle carries the original 1892 logo - not merely a label but a promise of uncompromising quality that has endured through generations of aperitivo rituals.

Available at our Copenhagen store or for EU-wide delivery.