A Campari experience in Nolita turns into an unforgettable celebration of Italian aperitivo, combining bold flavors, great food, music, and New York energy.
I had the immense pleasure of being invited to experience Campari’s neighborhood takeover in Nolita this past week, and left with absolutely amazing memories of the night. I hadn’t had any experience with the beverage before, although I had indulged in non-alcoholic aperitivi before. From what I understood, Campari would be the more mature older sibling of the almost soda-like beverages I had had, and I was excited.
A Campari Spritz
-Courtesy of The Knockturnal
Campari had selected several stores and venues to take over for the night, where they exhibited the drink in an almost festival-like celebration across the neighborhood in what they called the Campari Spritz Square. My first stop was Kinto, a Japanese lifestyle brand. Inside, I was able to grab my Campari-themed tote bag and sunglasses, and finally stepped up to the makeshift bar to grab my first Campari Spritz cocktail. The bartender deftly created the concoction, a mix of two parts Campari, three parts Prosecco, and one part soda water, topped off with an orange wedge and ice. A beautiful crimson drink was born, with an herbal, citrusy aroma with sweet, summery notes. I took a sip, and the bittersweet taste overtook me. My first instinct was confusion, as the bold bitterness was unexpected, but as I kept sipping, I was able to discern strong flavors of orange peel, rhubarb, clove, cinnamon, and earthy herbs buried within. The layers were incredible, with citrus, herb, and spice weaving in and out of sweetness and bitterness. It was unlike anything I had ever had, and with the relatively higher alcohol content of 48 proof, I was immediately feeling a buzz.
As I depleted my glass, I took some time to look around at the offerings of Kinto. A Japanese lifestyle brand, the offerings were formulated with a design language in line with what I expected a modern Japanese brand to adhere to; simple and practical designs, highly functional, but also clean, beautiful, and with a personality of their own. I could tell why Campari had decided to partner with Kinto: they both held the promise of intent about the drink we drink, and the clothes we wear, and the items we use in life. Elegant yet practical without compromise seemed to be a theme both brands lived by.
A chef delivers fresh Cacio e Pepe
-Courtesy of The Knockturnal
My final stop was the restaurant Piccolo Morini, where Campari was making its final stand in an all-out party celebrating the drink, Italian food, and friends. The venue was full of people all having a good time, Campari Spritz in hand, with a DJ banging out jams that no one could resist. All aspects of the restaurant were dripped in Campari logos and colors, including the framed art, the couches, decorative pillows, and even the bar; the only bottle found on the shelves behind the counter was, of course, Campari. Waiters swung past the crowds with aperitivo-curated bites, including mushroom arancini, tomato ceviche, small two-bite bowls of pasta, and unlimited Campari Spritzes. The back of the restaurant had a chef crafting cacio e pepe rigatoni live, with a full workstation with all ingredients on hand and delivering bowls of the good stuff straight to waiting guests’ eager mouths. Several drinks in and I was rolling. The icing on top, no pun intended, was the final dessert service, a slew of Italian classics including tiramisu and mouth-watering zeppole. I was in love.
All of Piccolo Morini was covered in Campari
-Courtesy of The Knockturnal
By the time the night came to an end, I had gone from barely knowing what Campari was to understanding exactly why it has become such an iconic part of the Italian aperitivo ritual. What I initially found to be almost intimidating had transformed into something I couldn’t stop drinking, especially when paired with good food, music, and even better company. Campari Spritz Square managed to take that timeless Italian tradition and give it a distinctly New York personality: it was a celebration in every sense of the word, and if this experience taught me anything, it’s that Campari isn’t simply something you consume—it’s a force that brings people, places, and experiences together.
