Americano Cocktail
This cocktail, originally known as the Milano-Torino, was created by Gaspare Campari in the 1860s at Caffe Camparino in Milan, Italy. American ex-pats living in Italy often topped the cocktail with soda water, which then became known as the Americano.
Offering up this drink as a signature cocktail at your next gathering may help keep some guests out of trouble. It has a much lower alcohol-by-volume (ABV) than other mixed drinks. Campari averages around 24% ABV and the sweet vermouth is around 16.5% ABV (compare to vodka, which is usually around 40-45%). Campari has a fairly strong bitter note, so if you tend to like drinks a touch sweeter, try substituting Aperol for the Campari.
Bonus trivia note: The Americano is the first cocktail ordered by James Bond in Ian Flemming’s Casino Royale.
Yield: 1 cocktail
Ingredients
1.5 oz. Campari
1.5 oz. Italian Sweet Vermouth*
Seltzer or Soda Water
Lemon twist or orange slice
Instructions
Combine the Campari and Sweet Vermouth in a high ball glass.
Top with ice and seltzer. Garnish with a lemon twist or orange slice.
Notes
*Traditionally, the sweet vermouth should be an Italian variety, such as Punt e Mes or Cocci Storico Vermouth di Torino. Carpano Antica is another great option, if you’re feeling fancy.
