Americano cocktail
Americano, despite its name, is originally an Italian cocktail. The drink is a simple bitter cocktail made with campari, red vermouth and soda water. Americano is considered a father cocktail to Negroni that contains no soda water instead.
Americano was invented in 1860 in Milan and was knows as Milano-Torino due to the fact that its ingredients campari and vermouth were from Milan and Torino respectively. When the cocktail became popular with the tourists from the US, the drink was renamed into Americano.
- Prep Time:
- Total Time:
- Type: Cocktail
- Units: 2
Equipment
- Lowball glass
Ingredients
- 25 ml bitter campari
- 25 ml red vermouth
- 50 ml soda water
- lemon twist
Instructions
- Fill a short glass with ice cubes.
- Build up by adding the campari and then vermouth to the glass.
- Top up with soda water.
- Finally add the garnish of lemon twist.
FAQ
What is an Americano cocktail?
The Americano is a refreshing Italian aperitif made with equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, topped with soda water. It is light in alcohol and designed to stimulate the appetite before a meal.
How does an Americano taste?
It has a bittersweet flavour, with herbal notes from the vermouth and a citrusy bitterness from the Campari, balanced by the fizz of soda water.
How does it compare to other aperitif cocktails?
It’s more refreshing and lower in alcohol than many bitters. If you like the balance of sweet and bitter, you might also enjoy the Aperol Spritz or the sparkling fruitiness of a Bellini.
Where did the Americano come from?
The drink dates back to 1860s Milan, first served in Gaspare Campari’s bar. Its name comes from its popularity with American tourists.
What glass is it served in?
Traditionally in a highball glass, filled with ice and topped with soda water.
Which other cocktails are related?
The Americano is directly linked to the Neroni, which swaps soda water for gin, and the whiskey-based Boulevardier.