Skip to main content
SipSelect
Back

Americano

Curated Recipe
Glass
Highball
Difficulty
Easy
ABV
~8%
bittersweeteffervescentherbal

Ingredients

  • 1 ozcampari
  • 1 ozsweet vermouth
  • 2 ozclub soda

Instructions

Fill a highball glass with ice. Add Campari and sweet vermouth directly into the glass. Top with club soda and stir gently to combine. Garnish with an orange slice or twist. The Americano is the Negroni's lighter, more refreshing ancestor — bitter, sweet, and effervescent. It's the perfect aperitif for those who find a Negroni too strong.

Sips & Tips

Technique

This is a built drink — no shaker or mixing glass needed. The order matters: ice first, then Campari and vermouth, then soda on top. Stir gently to integrate without killing the carbonation. Use large ice cubes or a single large cube to slow dilution.

Balance

The Americano is an equal-parts drink, so the quality of both the Campari and vermouth matters. Use Carpano Antica or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino for the sweet vermouth — their richness balances Campari's bitterness. The soda should be well-chilled and added gently to preserve its fizz.

History

The Americano was created in the 1860s at Gaspare Campari's bar in Milan, originally called the 'Milano-Torino' (Campari from Milan, vermouth from Turin). It was renamed 'Americano' because of its popularity with American tourists during Prohibition. It's also the first drink James Bond orders in Casino Royale (the novel, not the film).

The Americano is where Italian aperitivo culture begins — bitter, bubbly, and perfectly suited to a long afternoon. It's the Negroni for people who want to keep drinking. Cheers.

Variations

Negroni

Replace the soda with 1 oz gin for the famous Negroni. It's stronger, more complex, and one of the world's most popular cocktails — but the Americano came first.

Americano Highball

Increase the soda to 4 oz for an even lighter, more refreshing version. This is closer to how Italians drink it in summer — long, cold, and very sessionable.

You might also like