Campari Spritz Square Took Over Nolita- and I Was Very Happy to Be There
- By: Julianne Elise Beffa
There’s something about a summer evening in New York that makes a good party feel even better, especially when it involves a cute outfit, your best friend, a table full of food and a very steady supply of Campari Spritzes. So when Campari took over Nolita for its second annual Campari Spritz Square, I knew exactly how I wanted to spend my Saturday.
My bestie and I leaned into the theme with little pops of red, grabbed our sunglasses and headed downtown ready to eat, drink and fully embrace the Italian aperitivo lifestyle. And after my experience at Campari’s Cannes Film Festival party a few years ago, I already knew this was one event I wasn’t about to miss.
We started our night at Piccolo Morini, which served as the centerpiece of the weekend. The 90-minute aperitivo experience paired Campari Spritzes with a curated menu and live DJ sets, creating the kind of atmosphere where you sit down for a drink and suddenly realize you’ve been happily hanging out for hours.
And yes, we ate. A lot. There was the best cheese wheel serving up my favorite dish, cacio e pepe.
One of my favorite parts of any event is when the food actually lives up to the hype, and Campari delivered. We got to try a little bit of everything while sipping our Spritzes and catching up, which made the whole experience feel more like a fun afternoon out with your best friend than a traditional brand event.
That’s really what made Campari Spritz Square work. It didn’t feel overly formal or like we were being shuffled from one activation to the next. Instead, the entire neighborhood became part of the experience. After Piccolo Morini, guests could wander around Nolita and stop into participating partners including KINTO, ELOREA and 7 Spring for complimentary Campari Spritzes and their own unique experiences.
It was the perfect setup for a summer Thursday night: start with food and cocktails, wander around the neighborhood, pop into another spot and keep the night going.
Of course, the Campari Spritz itself was the star. There’s a reason the classic Italian aperitivo has become such a warm-weather staple. The bittersweet Campari, bubbly Prosecco and splash of soda make for a cocktail that feels refreshing while still having plenty of personality. Add an orange slice and you’re basically halfway to an Italian vacation.
And if you’re now thinking, OK, but how do I make one at home? It’s incredibly easy. Combine two parts Campari, three parts Prosecco and one part soda water over ice in a wine glass, then garnish with an orange slice. Pour, stir and pretend you’re sitting somewhere along the Amalfi Coast.
What I loved most about the evening was how naturally everything came together. We dressed up, took way too many pictures, ate delicious food, drank Campari Spritzes and spent the day laughing and catching up. There was no pressure to rush through the experience. It was simply a really good excuse to get dressed, go downtown and enjoy New York.
And after my Cannes experience, I can confidently say my Campari rule is officially permanent: I will never skip a Campari party.
If the brand can transport me from the French Riviera to Nolita with a Spritz in hand, a great playlist and an afternoon of delicious food, I’m going to keep showing up. Especially if there’s a little red involved.
