Name: Limoncello & Campari Aperitivo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: For the Cardamom-Infused Campari; 4 ounces Campari; 2 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed; 1 ounce Erik and Tracy’s Easy Homemade Limoncello; ½ ounce cardamom-infused campari; ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice; 2-3 ounces chilled dry sparkling wine or champagne; Lemon twist

Drinks

Limoncello & Campari Aperitivo

Author: Mary DiSomma

This limoncello Campari cocktail has everything I love in a warm-weather drink. It’s light, fizzy, citrusy, and just the right balance of bitter and sweet. It’s the kind of cocktail that feels festive as soon as you pour it. It’s so pretty when its blush pink color catches the light!

Limoncello is a tradition in my family. My brother Erik gets full credit for starting this one—once you’ve tried his homemade limoncello recipe, it’s hard to go back to store-bought. That bright, sweet lemon flavor is what makes this cocktail really shine. To elevate it a teensy bit more, I like to infuse the Campari with cardamom. Some people even call it “the queen of spices”. It adds a subtle, almost minty note. Top it all off with sparkling wine, and the end result is a true aperitif—refreshing, elegant, and hard to put down.

Erik and Tracy’s Easy Homemade Limoncello➝

Limoncello & Campari Aperitivo

This refreshing limoncello Campari cocktail combines citrusy sweetness, gentle bitterness, and sparkling wine for a bright and elegant aperitivo.

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes min
Cook Time: 5 minutes min
Total Time: 10 minutes min

Ingredients

For the Cardamom-Infused Campari

4 ounces Campari
2 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed

For the Cocktail (Makes 1 Drink)

1 ounce Erik and Tracy’s Easy Homemade Limoncello
½ ounce cardamom-infused campari
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
2-3 ounces chilled dry sparkling wine or champagne

Optional Garnish

Lemon twist

Instructions

Combine the Campari and cardamom in a small lidded jar. Shake and leave to infuse overnight at room temperature.
Chill your champagne flutes in the freezer until ready to mix.
When you are ready to make the cocktail, strain and discard the cardamom from the Campari. The remaining infusion will keep in the refrigerator for a few weeks—if you don’t drink it all right away!
To make the cocktail, add the limoncello, infused campari, and lemon juice to your chilled champagne flute. Top with the sparkling wine or champagne.
Express a lemon twist over each glass, garnish, and serve immediately. Cheers!

View Mary's Tips

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Ingredient Tips

Great question! If you’ve ever found Campari a little too intense, this cocktail is a great place to try it again. The limoncello counteracts the bitterness with its natural sweetness, while the sparkling wine adds lightness and balance. The result is a Campari cocktail that leans more refreshing than bitter—bright, citrusy, and very approachable. It’s also a wonderful introduction if you’re just getting into Campari liquor or looking for something a little less intense.

Absolutely! You can take this cocktail recipe in a slightly different direction by adding gin. A splash of gin would turn this into a lighter, more citrus-forward twist on a limoncello negroni (or more technically a negroni-style cocktail). It will add more herbal notes and a bit more structure to the drink. That said, I love this version as-is. It’s delicate, sparkling, and perfect when you want something that feels celebratory without being too strong. Try it both ways and see which one you like best!

Preparation + Preservation Tips

It’s amazing all on its own, but this limoncello Campari cocktail also pairs beautifully with a wide variety of appetizers. Because it’s light and slightly bittersweet, I recommend trying it with a simple charcuterie board, salty olives and marcona almonds, light seafood appetizers like shrimp or smoked salmon, or soft cheeses with crusty bread. Think small bites—and make sure to read to the end for more specific recommendations!

Extra Tips

If you love lemon liqueur as much as I do, there are so many ways to enjoy it. Here are some of my best limoncello recipes. I hope they surprise and delight you!

Easy Strawberry Limoncello Frosé➝

Homemade Limoncello Sangria➝

Homemade Limoncello Tiramisu➝

Mary’s Limoncello, Bourbon, and Honey Cocktail➝

Mary’s Limoncello Roast Chicken Recipe with Fennel➝

Limoncello Fettuccine➝

I want to encourage people to feel confident to try new things in the kitchen and to be inspired to share more meals with friends and family.

It’s easy to collect recipes and save them for “some day.” I believe recipes are for making. Let's do it together. Join me in exploring the world through food!