Strawberry Infused Campari
If you enjoy a Negroni cocktail, then I think you will love this Strawberry Infused Campari. Fresh strawberries impart a hint of fruitiness to the otherwise bitter taste of Campari, giving this bitter Italian liqueur a slightly softer flavor. This small batch 2-ingredient recipe takes almost no time to prepare and can be made ahead of time, which is great for entertaining.
Originally created as a special liqueur for my Strawberry Negroni cocktail, this Strawberry Infused Campari can also be used in many other cocktails. If you are entertaining, you can easily increase the recipe to make a larger quantity. To learn how to make this unique cocktail extras recipe, see the printable recipe card below. Take a look at the recipe video, or get Step by Step Instructions for a more detailed explanation of this recipe. For other recipe variations, including how to infuse other types of alcohol, and for other cocktail ideas that work well with this Strawberry Infused Campari, visit the Pimp My Recipe section in this recipe’s Blog Comments & Tips.
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RECIPE
(Check out our Step by Step Instructions below the recipe card.)
STRAWBERRY INFUSED CAMPARI
Ingredients
Instructions
- Rinse and dry strawberries. Hull and discard the tops. Quarter each strawberry lengthwise. Drop them into a 16 ounce glass canning jar, and set aside.
- Pour Campari liqueur into the jar (making sure to cover the strawberries). Seal the jar tightly with lid, swirl it around a couple of times, and set the jar in a cool dark place (room temp). Every 24 hours for 3 days (once per day), gently shake the jar for 3 seconds (see Note #1).
- Set a small fine mesh strainer (see Note #2) over a one cup measuring cup. Strain infused liqueur, allowing the strawberries to naturally drain for 1 minute (do not press them into the strainer), then discard the strawberries. Place a clean strainer on top of an 8 ounce glass canning jar. Strain infused liqueur again into the small jar, seal the jar tightly with lid, and store refrigerated until ready to use.
Notes
- For best flavor, infuse for a minimum of 2 days and no more than 3 days. After 3 days at room temperature, you run the risk of the fruit going bad and ruining the liqueur.
- If your strainer isn’t fine enough, place a couple of layers of cheesecloth over the strainer to help catch any tiny seeds or pulp from flowing through.
- Keep your strained Strawberry Infused Campari in a sealed glass container, and store refrigerated for up to 6 months.
- Recipe can be increased to make as much as you need. However, it’s best to make only a little more than you think you will need so this infused liqueur doesn’t go to waste.
- Makes about 5 servings (1 ounce per serving).
Nutrition Facts
Calories
68.19Fat (grams)
0.05 gSat. Fat (grams)
0 gCarbs (grams)
7.61 gFiber (grams)
0.32 gNet carbs
7.29 gSugar (grams)
0.79 gProtein (grams)
0.11 gSodium (milligrams)
0.16 mgCholesterol (grams)
0 mgNutritional information provided is strictly an estimate and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods. The nutritional calculations include the values for the strawberries. Nutritional values will be reduced slightly, as you will not be consuming the strawberries in this recipe.
Step by Step Instructions
PREPARATION
Organize all your tools and ingredients before you begin. Getting all your ingredients in one place at the beginning will shorten your prep time.
Note: Although the photo shows more, you will only need 3 large strawberries for this recipe.
STEP 1
Rinse and dry 3 large fresh strawberries. Hull and discard the tops. Quarter each strawberry lengthwise. Drop cut strawberries into a 16 ounce glass canning jar, and set aside.
STEP 2
Pour ½ cup Campari liqueur into the jar (making sure to cover the strawberries). Seal the jar tightly with a lid, swirl it around a couple of times, and set the jar in a cool dark place (room temp). Every 24 hours for 3 days (once per day), gently shake the jar for 3 seconds (see Note below).
Note: For best flavor, infuse for a minimum of 2 days and no more than 3 days. After 3 days at room temperature, you run the risk of the fruit going bad and ruining the liqueur.
STEP 3
Set a small fine mesh strainer (see Note below) over a one cup measuring cup. Strain the contents of the jar into the measuring cup, allowing the strawberries to naturally drain for 1 minute (do not press them into the strainer). Discard the strawberries. Place a clean strainer on top of an 8 ounce glass canning jar. Strain infused liqueur again into the small jar.
Note: If your strainer isn’t fine enough, place a couple of layers of cheesecloth over the strainer to help catch any tiny seeds or pulp from flowing through.
SERVING
Seal the jar tightly with lid. Store refrigerated until ready to use.
Notes:
Keep your strained Strawberry Infused Campari in a sealed glass container, and store refrigerated for up to 6 months.
Recipe can be increased to make as much as you need. However, it’s best to make only a little more than you think you will need so this infused liqueur doesn’t go to waste.
Makes about 5 servings (1 ounce per serving).
VIDEO
How to Make Strawberry Infused Campari!
Blog Comments & Tips
Strawberry fields forever!
If you enjoy a Negroni cocktail, then I think you will love this Strawberry Infused Campari. This recipe was originally created as a special liqueur for my Strawberry Negroni cocktail. This strawberry infused liqueur can also be used for many other cocktails. If you do a lot of summertime entertaining, I’m sure this make ahead recipe will come in handy.
In my experience, Campari liqueur is a delightful addition to summer cocktails and balances out the sweetness in some drinks. Campari is a bitter Italian liqueur and considered a bitters by many mixologists. It’s also an acquired taste for some, because of its bitter linger on the palate. I find interesting when combined with other spirits, but I would definitely not serve it on its own (way too bitter).
My Strawberry Infused Campari has just enough subtle fruitiness to make it interesting, and to add something extra special to a cocktail. The infusion process does not eliminate the bitter characteristics of Campari, which means this Strawberry Infused Campari is definitely not a sweet spirit. The strawberries simply enhance the Campari to give it more depth of flavor and slightly less bitterness. Check out the Pimp My Recipe section below for a few cocktail ideas on how to use this Strawberry Infused Campari.
How do you ensure the best results from this recipe?
My 6 tips to making Strawberry Infused Campari:
Use fresh organic strawberries (not frozen), and Campari liqueur.
The key to this recipe is patience, as it rests for up to 3 days. Just a little time and a 3 second shake of the jar once per day is all it takes to make this recipe.
While it’s infusing, keep the jar in a cool dark place on your kitchen counter or pantry (not in the fridge). This allows the fruit to fully infuse the alcohol. Direct sunlight will affect the infusion process and increase the risk of the fruit spoiling and tainting your Campari, so be mindful of where you are storing it.
Make sure to double strain your infused liqueur. To help preserve it, you need to filter out any pieces of fresh strawberries.
Once you have infused and double strained your liqueur, store it in a tightly sealed glass jar (mason jar works great), and keep it refrigerated.
Don’t be tempted to make a large batch unless you are entertaining and need to serve a crowd, or you are sure you’re going to use it. Although infused liqueur will last up to 6 months in the fridge (some say longer…but, I don’t agree), it doesn’t retain the same fresh flavor if stored a long time. Best to make a fresh batch when strawberries are in season!
Need some cocktail ideas for how to use this Strawberry Infused Campari? Below are a few ways to customize and Pimp My Recipe.
Pimp My Recipe:
Make a Strawberry Negroni Cocktail: Try this easy 3 ingredient cocktail recipe for a Strawberry Negroni.
Make a Strawberry Negroni Sbagliato: Strawberry Infused Campari, Prosecco, sweet vermouth, and Prosecco.
Make a Strawberry Campari Spritz: Strawberry Infused Campari, Prosecco, and soda water.
Make a Strawberry Orange Garibaldi Cocktail: Strawberry Infused Campari and orange juice.
Make a Strawberry Americano Cocktail: Strawberry Infused Campari and soda.
Make it with More Strawberry Flavor: In my small batch recipe, only 3 large strawberries are needed for ½ cup of Campari liqueur. If you want more strawberry flavor, just add a few more (5 large would be plenty). If you decide to add more strawberries, make sure to double strain using a cheesecloth to catch all those strawberries bits and seeds!
Make it with Another Kind of Alcohol: If you are not a fan of Campari, you can use the same principles for making other infused alcohol. Just substitute the Campari with either gin, vodka, or tequila. Since these types of alcohol are more pure, you will only need 2-3 large strawberries per ½ cup of alcohol. Strawberries lend a wonderful flavor when infused in Aperol (which has a similar bitter orange flavor like Campari, but not as bitter). If you infuse Aperol, use the same strawberry to alcohol ratio as we recommend in our main recipe.
Enjoy and let me know what you think by commenting below, rating my recipes, subscribing, following, and liking Prep My Recipe on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok! Don’t forget to subscribe to get updates on new recipes and tips & tricks.
Santé!
Mich
Footnote: Remember to shake the jar gently once a day, and to shake it gently. Otherwise it will disintegrate the strawberries!
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