Garibaldi Cocktail
The Garibaldi is a bright Italian aperitivo made with bitter Campari and fresh orange juice. It is simple to pour, but a quick froth of the juice gives it that soft, sunny texture people love at aperitivo hour.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mItalianDrinks
The Garibaldi cocktail comes from Italy and uses just two main ingredients: Campari and orange juice. Campari brings a bittersweet, herbal edge, while orange juice rounds it out with fresh citrus sweetness.
This drink is often served before dinner as an aperitivo, which means a light drink meant to wake up your appetite. It is lower-effort than many cocktails because you build it right in the glass.
For the most pleasing texture, use fresh orange juice and froth it briefly. Frothing means adding tiny air bubbles with a blender, milk frother, or hard shake, making the juice feel light and almost creamy without adding dairy.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
4 items · 1 cocktail
- 1 1/2 ounces Campari
- 4 ounces fresh orange juice, chilled
- Ice cubes
- Orange wedge or orange half-moon, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Place a highball or rocks glass in the freezer for a few minutes if you have time. A cold glass helps the drink stay crisp without needing extra dilution.
2. Juice the orange
Squeeze fresh oranges until you have 4 ounces of juice. Strain out seeds. Leave a little pulp if you like texture, or strain it fully for a smoother drink.
3. Froth the juice
Pour the orange juice into a small blender and blend for 10 to 15 seconds, or use a handheld milk frother until foamy. If you do not have either tool, shake the juice hard in a sealed jar for about 20 seconds.
4. Add the Campari
Fill the chilled glass halfway with ice. Pour in 1 1/2 ounces Campari. This goes in first so the orange juice can float and mingle as you pour.
5. Pour in the orange juice
Slowly add the frothy orange juice over the ice. Pour gently to keep some foam on top.
6. Stir lightly
Give the drink one or two gentle turns with a bar spoon or regular spoon. Do not over-stir, or you will lose the fluffy texture.
7. Garnish and serve
Add an orange wedge or half-moon to the rim of the glass. Serve right away while the top is foamy and the drink is well chilled.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Squeeze the orange juice up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate it in a covered jar. Froth it just before serving for the best texture.
- Storage: A mixed Garibaldi does not store well because the ice melts and the foam fades. If you have extra orange juice, keep it chilled separately and mix fresh drinks as needed.
- Orange choice: Sweet, juicy oranges such as Valencia, navel, or Cara Cara work well. Blood orange juice also makes a beautiful variation with a deeper berry-like flavor.
- No frother or blender: Shake the orange juice in a jar with a tight lid until it looks bubbly, then pour it over the Campari. It will not be as airy, but it still works.
- Adjust the bitterness: For a softer drink, use 5 ounces orange juice. For a bolder aperitivo, keep the orange juice at 3 to 3 1/2 ounces.
- Batching for guests: For 6 cocktails, combine 9 ounces Campari in a pitcher and keep 24 ounces fresh orange juice chilled separately. Build each drink over ice and froth or shake the juice in small batches right before pouring.
Cook's note
Campari is bitter by design, so this cocktail depends on the quality and sweetness of the orange juice. Bottled orange juice can work in a pinch, but fresh juice gives the drink a cleaner finish and better foam.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
What does a Garibaldi cocktail taste like?
It tastes bright, citrusy, and bittersweet. The orange juice adds sweetness and freshness, while Campari brings bitter orange, herbs, and a lightly medicinal edge that is typical of Italian aperitifs.
Do I have to use fresh orange juice?
Fresh orange juice is strongly recommended because it froths better and tastes cleaner. If you use bottled juice, choose a not-from-concentrate style and chill it well before mixing.
Can I make a Garibaldi less bitter?
Yes. Add more orange juice, use a sweeter orange variety, or serve it over plenty of ice. You can also start with 1 ounce Campari and 4 to 5 ounces orange juice if you are new to bitter cocktails.
What glass should I use?
A highball glass is common, but a rocks glass also works. Use whatever glass comfortably holds the ice, Campari, and orange juice with a little room for foam.
Is a Garibaldi the same as a Campari orange?
They are very similar. The Garibaldi is often treated as the Italian version of Campari and orange juice, usually with fresh, aerated orange juice for a softer texture.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium2 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate27 g
- 10%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars24 g
- Protein1 g
- 2%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium14 mg
- 1%
- Iron0.2 mg
- 1%
- Potassium248 mg
- 5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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