Does the Campari go bad?

The Campari is another one of those incredible Italian inventions. Perhaps not as iconic as pasta or pizza, this aperitif is nonetheless a surprising complement to a spritz and is sure to become a favorite for any cocktail aficionado.

The Campari, however, can last quite a long time if stored in its service cart. When it’s been a while since you bought this red liqueur, you’ll wonder how long it really lasts.

Does the Campari go bad?

Campari, if stored properly, can last for over 10 years, much longer than anyone will have a bottle on hand. However, you will notice that your Campari may develop a slight change in aroma or flavor depending on how and where you store it. If stored incorrectly, it can deteriorate and go bad after a few years.

What is Campari?

Campari is an Italian alcoholic liqueur. It has 20-28% alcohol. It is made from an infusion of various herbs, roots, berries and fruits.

It is characterized by a deep red color with an acquired but iconic bitter taste. This drink is an apéritif (which just means “before”), and is usually intended to accompany a meal or to be drunk just before it.

Does the Campari go bad?

You may think that any alcoholic drink can last forever, but in reality they also have a limited shelf life.

If you store a full or nearly full bottle in a cool, dry place, and out of direct sunlight, your Campari will not spoil for a long, long time.

However, and it can take years for you to notice a change in its aroma or flavor, the Campari eventually goes bad.

So yes, the Campari, after more than 10 years, goes bad. It is not a threat to your health, it can just taste disgusting.

How long is Campari open?

Although liqueurs can be enjoyed for up to 12 months after opening, you should take any off-color, smell, or taste as a warning that they are past their prime.

Surprisingly, Campari can be consumed for 10 years or more if stored properly. Drinks like Campari last the longest.

The liqueurs are made through the fermentation process. Because of this, the aging of the drink usually slows or stops when it is bottled.

Although you can keep Campari in your pantry for many years if stored properly, we recommend consuming it within 6-8 months of opening the bottle.

Liqueurs made with herbs and fruit, such as Campari, reach their peak flavor during the first half year.

Does unopened Campari go bad?

An unopened bottle of Campari will not be affected much unless it is stored in unsuitable conditions. 

Campari can go bad if kept for more than 10 years unless it is kept unopened in its original bottle in an airtight container.

How can you tell if the Campari has gone bad?

It’s never a good day when our drinks go bad and have to be thrown away. If stored improperly, your Campari can go bad. To know if the Campari is good or bad, check these signs:

Smell

If you are a Campari consumer, you will know that it has a very marked aroma.

The aroma profile of the Campari has a mixture of the bitter smell of orange peels and gentian with a light note of cherry and cinnamon.

However, this rich and luscious smell can change over time. If Campari is kept open for a long time without proper storage, its strong and genuine bitter aroma will fade and it will smell very mild.

Taste

The true and authentic bitter taste of Campari can be easily distinguished, it is unlike any other drink. It has a deep bitter, herbaceous, and smoky flavor that is truly unique.

If you don’t feel that overwhelming bitterness in your mouth after just a few sips, your Campari is no longer useful. Time to get a new bottle. 

Aspect

Sometimes you can see and know if your Campari is good or not. Here are some signs:

• If you notice sugar pooling around the bottle or its cap, that’s wrong. 
• If the dark red color of the Campari appears washed out, it’s bad.
• If the consistency has become thicker, it’s bad.

Sometimes though, even with these changes, you can shake the Campari to re-incorporate any ingredients that may have separated, and if the flavor is still good, it should be safe to drink.

How should you preserve Campari to keep it fresh for as long as possible?

Your storage technique will determine how long your Campari will stay fresh.

Keep these points in mind if you want to get the most out of a bottle of Campari without sacrificing aroma or flavor.

• Be sure to store your Campari on a shelf in a cool, dark place.
• Letting sunlight hit the bottle can cause it to go bad.
• Bottles that have been opened must be tightly closed. Use the original bottle stopper, a new cork, or a wine stopper to seal an opened bottle.
• Keep the bottle upright at all times. This will prevent the liquid from coming into contact with the stopper, which can cause corrosion and worsen the taste of the drink.
• To minimize oxidation, reseal the bottle tightly.
• Try to avoid transferring the Campari to another bottle. If you do, be sure to store it in a glass bottle.
• Store the Campari at room temperature.

Following these simple guidelines will help you prolong the life of your drink, while maintaining its marked authenticity.

What are the best ways to serve Campari?

Campari is a versatile drink and can be used in many different cocktails and recipes. Here are some of our favourites.

campari and soda

This is perhaps the most iconic way to serve Campari. You can make it with 2 parts soda and 1 part Campari. Add ice and you’re done.

If you like, you can also add a few lemon or orange slices to this drink for a delicious citrus garnish.

Negroni

The Negroni is a delicious drink and is especially perfect for an after-lunch cocktail. This Italian drink is a simple combination of equal parts Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth.

Fruit salad

Fruit salad? With Campari? It may sound a bit surprising, but adding Campari to your fruit salad will definitely enhance its flavor . Do not stop trying it!

Related questions

Now that we’ve gone over Campari and seen how long it lasts, let’s look at some related questions!

Does the flavor of Campari change depending on where it is made?

Yes, Campari changes depending on where it is bottled and sold. Campari appears in different alcoholic degrees in different countries.

The graduation can range between 21% alcohol and 28.9% alcohol.

The taste may vary slightly from one country to another, but the bottling is the same.

Does Campari have a shelf life?

An unopened bottle of liquor has an indeterminate shelf life.  In the case of open bottles, the more sugar the Campari has, the faster its flavor will tend to deteriorate. However, you can expect Campari to lose its flavor in about 10 years.