Gaspare Campari

Gaspare Campari (1828–1882) was an Italian drink maker.

Born in Cassolnovo, Lombardy,, the tenth child of a farme he was making drinks at the Bass Bar in Castelnouvo by age 14.

During the 1840s Campari sold a bitters-style aperitif throughout Italy, initially under the name Bitter all'Uso d'Holanda. In 1860 he formulated the product we know today as Campari. His recipe, which Campari keeps confidential, contained more than 60 natural ingredients including herbs, spices, barks and fruit peels.

In 1862 he remarried and settled in Milan, the home of his second wife. He ran a cafe in front of Milan's historic cathedral, theDuomo. He also opened up Cafe Campari nearby. His two sons, Davide and Guido, would go on to take over the business, which would become Davide Campari - Milano and Gruppo Campari.