LIQUORMASTERY

AMERICANO COCKTAIL RECIPE

Created on August 2, 2023
Table of Contents
  1. Ingredients
  2. Method
  3. Recipe Tips
  4. What's In An Americano?
  5. History
  6. FAQ's

The Americano is a classic cocktail known for its blend of bittersweet flavors, originating in Italy during the 1860s. This refreshing, low-alcohol cocktail, sometimes called a Milano-Torino, is traditionally served in an old-fashioned glass and garnished with a slice of lemon or orange.

Red-orange Americano cocktail in a rocks glass, with ice and an orange twist.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ Ounces Campari
  • 1 ½ Ounces Sweet Vermouth
  • 2 Ounces Soda Water (to top)
  • 1 Orange Twist (garnish)

Method

  1. Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice cubes.
  2. Pour the Campari and Sweet Vermouth over the ice.
  3. Top off with soda water.
  4. Stir gently to mix the cocktail.
  5. Garnish with an orange twist.
  6. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

  • Chill your glass beforehand for an extra refreshing drink. It'll help reduce the dilution from the ice as well.

  • Try substituting the soda water with tonic for a slightly bitter edge.

  • Adjust the amount of Campari and Vermouth to taste.

  • Add more soda water if you prefer a lighter cocktail.

  • Another popular garnish for this drink is the lemon twist. Which one you choose is completely up to you, and whatever you have on hand.

What's In An Americano?

The Americano is a balance of bitterness from the Campari and sweetness from the Vermouth, topped off with the fizziness of soda water.

Campari

This Italian bitter gives the Americano its signature tang. While any Campari would work, opting for the original Campari brand ensures authenticity. Its complex blend of herbs and fruit delivers the desired bitter note.

Sweet Vermouth

This fortified wine brings sweetness and depth to the cocktail. Martini & Rossi Vermouth is often preferred for its rich and balanced flavor profile.

History

The Americano cocktail originated in Italy during the 1860s and was initially called the Milano-Torino due to its use of Campari from Milan and Vermouth from Turin. It gained popularity among American tourists during prohibition, hence its current name. Today, it's enjoyed worldwide, especially as a pre-dinner cocktail.

FAQ's

What Does An Americano Taste Like?

The Americano has a distinctive bittersweet flavor. The bitterness of Campari is balanced by the sweetness of Vermouth, and the soda water adds a refreshing touch. The choice of garnish, lemon or orange, can add a hint of citrus, complementing the cocktail's overall flavor.