Americano
A bittersweet classic of Campari, sweet vermouth and soda water — fresh, sparkling and perfect before dinner.
Ingredients
- Campari45 ml
- Sweet vermouth, rosso45 ml
- Soda water, chilledtop up
- Orange, for garnish (optional)1 twist
Method
- Fill a rocks glass generously with ice.
- Pour the Campari and sweet vermouth directly over the ice.
- Top up with chilled soda water to taste.
- Stir gently to preserve the bubbles.
- Express the orange peel over the glass to release its oils, rub it around the rim, then add it as a garnish.
About this drink
The Americano was born in the 1860s at Gaspare Campari’s bar in Milan, originally named Milano-Torino after its ingredients’ home towns. Its name changed to Americano in the early 1900s, reportedly because American tourists took to it. Its simple 1:1:1 balance of bitter, vermouth and fizz has made it a timeless aperitivo.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between an Americano and a Negroni?
The Americano is the Negroni’s forebear: Campari and sweet vermouth topped with soda water, without gin. Add gin and you have a Negroni; the Americano is the lighter, more thirst-quenching version.
Can you make an Americano without Campari?
No. Campari is the drink’s bitter backbone, and without it you simply have sweet vermouth and soda water. Aperol works as a sweeter, less bitter substitute, but then you are really moving towards a spritz.
