Italian Aperitivo Face-off
Campari v. Cappelletti
Sometimes, a question comes up that is simply too important to ignore. A question of such vital consequence to mankind that it must immediately be tested and put to rest. Today, dear friends, I have such a question. It’s an age old rivalry — the kind that puts the oldest of friends at odds and threatens to erupt in boozy argument. Also, it’s a question that required me to make — and consume — two cocktails at once. (You know, in the name of science). I am speaking, of course, of a classic Italian aperitivo face-off: Campari vs. Cappelletti. To the ring!
For you Negroni and Americano lovers out there (or for any of you with an Italian grandmother you call “nonna,”) Campari will not be unfamiliar. For the rest of you, I highly recommend you get smart on Campari immediately. It’s a worthy addition to your bar. Campari is a wonderfully (if not somewhat divisively) bitter aperitivo. There are those for whom the bitterness is a bit much, but once you get a taste for it, it’s hard to go back.
As for the Cappelletti, or more properly “Cappelletti Vino Aperitivo Americano Rosso,” I must admit to a certain ignorance until reading about it some months ago. Since then, we’ve been searching for a bottle at various area liquor stores, though mostly without success. Finally, we found a bottle at a specialty liquor store and…
