I’ll start with a confession: I have never liked the Aperol Spritz. Every glass I tried hit me with a wall of bitterness, and knowing why it tastes that way never made the next sip any easier.
So when Campari Group invited me to taste its expanded aperitivo portfolio ahead of its Southeast Asia rollout, which starts right here in Singapore, I sat down as the sceptic at the table. I became a believer. Before you roll your eyes at the guy who got free drinks, hear me out: the bitterness never left the glass. What changed was everything around it, and most of all the fact that there are finally options to choose from. For Singapore drinkers, the next step is a series of masterclasses in Singapore led by brand ambassador Bystrik Uko. Their first Masterclass may have come and gone this past 18 September, but keep a look out on their socials for news on when the next one’s on their way.
At a Glance: What’s Coming to Singapore
- What: Campari Group’s spritz line-up grows to six. Aperol and Campari are joined by four more Italian names: Sarti, Cynar, Mondoro and the alcohol-free Crodino.
- Where it starts: Singapore is the first stop in Campari Group’s Southeast Asia push.
- What to book: the masterclasses in Singapore led by Bystrik Uko, where you’ll learn to build the perfect spritz (Sarti included) and to host an aperitivo hour of your own.
- When: future masterclass dates haven’t been announced yet, so watch Campari Group’s channels.
- What to bring: the friends you’d want at your aperitivo hour.
Which spritz to order:
Six Spritzes Instead of One
Campari Group is pushing spritz culture across Southeast Asia, and Singapore is its first stop. Alongside the familiar Aperol and Campari, the group is bringing in four more Italian names: Sarti, Cynar, Mondoro and the alcohol-free Crodino. That takes its spritz line-up to six.
If you’re new to all this, the aperitivo is an Italian ritual: the hour before dinner when friends gather over a light drink and a bite, and the evening slows down. The spritz is its most popular serve, an aperitif topped up with prosecco and a splash of soda. It’s a big deal globally, too. Campari Group says worldwide servings of the Aperol Spritz have grown from 60 million to around 1.5 billion a year in two decades, and that the drink now outsells the entire Champagne category worldwide.
For years, I assumed Campari Group made one drink, and my whole opinion of the category rested on that one bottle. It’s a bit like writing off every hawker centre in Singapore because of one bad plate of chicken rice. You’d miss out on a lot.
Why the Ice Goes to the Brim
Brand ambassador Bystrik Uko led the guided tasting and walked us through each bottle from the ground up. We heard about the origins and history, right down to why bartenders pack ice to the very top of every Campari drink. (Yes, that’s a thing, and I’ll now be pointing it out to every friend who complains about “too much ice”.)
A Campari Spritz, loaded with ice and an orange slice, the bittersweet red that has anchored the aperitivo since 1860
Campari is the bold red aperitif at the heart of the category, around since 1860. It carries the daytime spritz into the late-night world of the Negroni. Learning the story behind the bitterness didn’t make it taste any different. It made me want to understand the drink before I judged it.
Armando De Paolis, Managing Director, Asia Partnership Markets at Campari Group, said the plan is to adapt the ritual for Asia rather than import it wholesale. “Aperitivo in Asia won’t look exactly as it does in Italy. Our role is not to replicate an Italian ritual, but to work with local hospitality partners, chefs, bartenders and hosts to create experiences that are authentic to both the heritage of aperitivo and the cultures of this fascinating region,” he said. “Singapore is where that journey begins.”
Cynar: Yes, It’s Made From Artichokes
Best for: adventurous drinkers
My favourite of the night was the one I least expected to like. Cynar is an artichoke-based aperitif, and it pours scarily dark, the kind of colour that makes you brace for a punch of bitterness.
Instead, it turned out to be one of the most refreshing drinks of the lot, and every drink we tried that evening was refreshing. Campari Group calls it the connoisseur’s choice, with real herbal depth that craft bartenders love. I’d call it the hidden gem of the range. If you only order one new spritz from this line-up, make it this one.
Sarti Rosa for the Sweet Tooth
Best for: anyone who’d pick sweet over strong · 14% ABV
The Aperol Spritz, the bright orange drink that most of us think of when someone says spritz
Leading the expansion is Sarti Rosa, a vivid pink aperitif made in tribute to Casa Luigi Sarti & Figli, a Bologna house founded in 1885. In Europe it’s the pink spritz of terraces and lakesides, and it launched in the United States in 2026.
It sits at an approachable 14% ABV (alcohol by volume) and leans fruity, with blood orange, mango and passion fruit. If you’d pick something sweet over something strong, this is your spritz. And men, don’t be intimidated by the hot pink!
Mondoro for Bougie Evenings
Best for: birthdays and date nights
Mondoro Spritz, garnished with fresh mint and lemon, the premium sparkling pick of Campari Group’s six-strong line-up
For the more bougie among us, Mondoro is the one to reach for. It’s the premium sparkling base of the range, taking the bubbly half of the spritz upmarket.
In the glass, it brought sweet, flowery elderflower notes that reminded me of the Champagne you get at a wedding, only much better. It’s the spritz I’d pour for a birthday or a date night, when the occasion calls for something that feels a little special.
Crodino for the Friend Who Doesn’t Drink
Best for: non-drinkers · zero-proof
Campari Group is also bringing in Crodino, a zero-proof aperitif made since 1965. It’s built to give you the full Italian ritual, bite and complexity included, without the alcohol.
This one matters more than it sounds. Most of us have a friend who doesn’t drink and still wants to join the toast, and Crodino means they get a proper glass instead of a sad cup of iced water.
So, Which One Is Yours?
People are picky, and I was pickier than most. I tasted one drink, didn’t like it, and wrote off a whole category. This line-up fixes that.
- Sweet tooth? Start with Sarti.
- Adventurous? Go straight for Cynar.
- Celebrating? Pick Mondoro.
- Not drinking? Ask for Crodino.
- Old-school fan? Relax, because the Aperol isn’t going anywhere.
Learn It From the Source: Masterclasses in Singapore
- Who: led by brand ambassador Bystrik Uko
- What you’ll learn: how to build the perfect spritz (Sarti included) and how to host an aperitivo hour of your own
- When: dates to be announced on Campari Group’s channels
- Bring: the friends you’d want at your aperitivo hour
If your taste buds gave up on spritzes years ago, this is the line-up to bring them back. Keep an eye on Campari Group’s channels for masterclass dates, round up the friends you’d want at your aperitivo hour, and give the spritz a second chance. You might find your drink!
Photos and Visuals courtesy of Campari Group.
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