My “1-2-3” Italian Cocktail I Make for Every Holiday Party (It’s Always a Hit!)

I think we can all agree that holiday food is rich. I’m not complaining — I love a juicy prime rib roast followed by oodles of cookies as much as anyone. Where I do like to save some room, though, is with what’s in my glass. 

There’s certainly a time and place for a cozy mug of eggnog, but it’s not minutes before a decadent holiday meal. Instead, I’m serving a simple three-ingredient Italian cocktail with Campari that’s bitter, bubbly, and batchable. It’s the perfect sip to whet your appetite, without slowing you down in the buffet line. 

The key ingredient in my favorite festive sip is Campari. This beautiful ruby-colored liquor has a delightful bitter, tannic taste with notes of grapefruit, orange peel, and herbs. It’s made by infusing fruit and herbs in alcohol, and though the specific recipe is a secret, we know it’s made with bitter orange peel. 

The spirit is sweetened with sugar and gets its signature hue from food coloring (it used to come from dried beetles). I love that a splash of Campari makes any drink — even a glass of sparkling water — feel festive and sophisticated. In the United States, Campari contains 24% ABV. The lower alcohol content means it’s readily mixable with other spirits for classic cocktails like Negronis and Americanos. 

If I’m ordering from a menu, my go-to drink is always a Negroni. But at home, especially if I’m entertaining, I opt for something simpler that still lets Campari’s bittersweet flavor shine. During Q4, I’m all in on cranberry — and who doesn’t love a splash of bubbles?

My signature 1-2-3 Campari spritz is made by combining Campari, prosecco (or your favorite sparkling wine), and cranberry juice in a 1:2:3 ratio. You can mix up a single drink for yourself using this ratio (start with 1½ ounces of Campari, 3 ounces of prosecco, and 4½ ounces of cranberry juice), or stir together a big batch to share with friends. 

For reference, a standard 750-milliliter bottle of wine contains about 3 cups, so for a party, I mix 1½ cups of Campari with 4½ cups of cranberry juice and a bottle of prosecco. Pour it into a beautiful punch bowl, toss in some fresh cranberries or rosemary sprigs and you have a stunning centerpiece that guests can’t help but gather around.

Buy: Campari, $29.99 for 750 mL at Total Wine

What’s your favorite Campari cocktail? Tell us about it in the comments below.