Americano

The Americano is a classic Italian aperitivo that perfectly balances bitterness, sweetness, and effervescence. With just three core ingredients—Campari, sweet red vermouth, and soda water—it delivers a surprisingly complex flavor while remaining light, refreshing, and low in alcohol.

Served traditionally in an Old Fashioned glass over plenty of ice, the Americano is designed for slow sipping before a meal. Its vivid red color, citrus garnish, and gentle fizz make it as visually appealing as it is satisfying on the palate. This is a cocktail that invites you to take your time and enjoy the ritual.

The Americano is especially interesting because it sits at the crossroads of history and modern cocktail culture. It is officially recognized by the IBA (International Bartenders Association) and is considered one of the foundational bitter cocktails that paved the way for modern classics like the Negroni. Simple to prepare, yet endlessly elegant, it is a must-know recipe for any home bartender.

Instructions

Official Recipe:

1. Fill an Old Fashioned glass with fresh ice cubes, ideally large and solid to slow dilution.
2. Pour 30 ml Bitter Campari directly over the ice.
3. Add 30 ml sweet red vermouth.
4. Top with a splash of chilled soda water (about 30–60 ml, to taste).
5. Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine, keeping the carbonation as much as possible.
6. Garnish with half an orange slice and a fresh strip of lemon zest, expressing the oils over the surface before dropping them in.

Note: Adjust the amount of soda water to your preference. Less soda gives a more intense, bitter profile; more soda makes it lighter and more refreshing.

Tips

• Use very cold ingredients: Keep Campari, vermouth, and soda well chilled. A cold build preserves carbonation and keeps the drink crisp.
• Choose quality vermouth: The Americano showcases the vermouth. Use a fresh, high-quality sweet red vermouth and store it in the fridge once opened.
• Control dilution: Use large, clear ice cubes to slow melting. This keeps the flavors focused without watering the drink too quickly.
• Express the citrus properly: Twist the lemon zest over the glass to release aromatic oils, then rub it lightly on the rim for extra fragrance.
• Balance with soda: Start with a small splash of soda, taste, and add more if you want a lighter, more sessionable drink.
• Mind your glass size: An Old Fashioned glass of 250–300 ml is ideal. Too large a glass can tempt you to over-dilute with soda.
• Serve immediately: The Americano is best enjoyed right after building, while the soda is lively and the ice is still firm.

Classic Variations

• Negroni: Replace the soda water with 30 ml gin. Stir with ice and serve over fresh ice or up. Richer, stronger, and more spirit-forward.
• Boulevardier: Replace soda with 30 ml whiskey (typically bourbon). A deeper, warmer take with notes of caramel and oak.
• Americano Highball: Serve in a Highball glass and increase the soda water to create a longer, lighter, spritz-style drink.
• Garibaldi Twist: Keep the Campari but replace vermouth and soda with freshly squeezed orange juice for a softer, fruitier profile.
• White Americano: Use a bianco/vermouth blanc instead of sweet red vermouth for a paler, more floral and citrus-driven version.

Flavor Profile

On the first sip, the Americano opens with bright, zesty citrus from the garnish and the bitter orange notes of Campari. The gentle fizz from the soda lifts the aromas and makes the drink feel light and refreshing.

Mid-palate, the sweetness and herbal complexity of the sweet red vermouth round out the bitterness, adding notes of dried fruit, spices, and subtle vanilla. The interplay between bitter and sweet stays beautifully in balance.

The finish is moderately bitter, clean, and dry, with lingering citrus and herbal tones that stimulate the appetite—ideal for an aperitivo. Despite its simplicity, the Americano feels layered and sophisticated, yet never heavy.

History

The Americano is one of the great Italian aperitivo classics and an official IBA cocktail. Its roots go back to the late 19th century, evolving from the “Milano-Torino”—a simple mix of Campari from Milan and sweet vermouth from Turin, served over ice.

According to popular lore, the drink gained the name “Americano” because it was particularly favored by American tourists in Italy, especially during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The addition of soda water made the drink lighter and more approachable, perfectly suited to pre-dinner drinking.

Over time, the Americano became a staple in Italian cafés and bars, symbolizing the relaxed ritual of aperitivo. It also played a crucial role in cocktail history: the Negroni, another IBA classic, is widely believed to have been born when Count Camillo Negroni asked for his Americano to be strengthened with gin instead of soda. Today, the Americano endures as a benchmark low-ABV cocktail—timeless, elegant, and effortlessly refreshing.

Cheers!