July 2, 2020

The Americano, the Ultimate Light Refresher

The Americano cocktail balances a pleasant citrusy bitterness with a sweet herbal background and crisp bubbly soda.

The classic Negroni's little cousin that takes its place when you're in need of something a bit more easy-going.

The Americano cocktail is easy to make, has more complexity than your average vodka soda, and is great for so many occasions.

A real "patio pounder" if you will.

Americano with sweet vermouth

Patio Pounder:

A refreshing low-alcohol cocktail that can be consumed in larger than normal quantity without forgetting whose pool party you're at.

The Americano was created in the late 1800's by topping up the Milano-Torino (Campari and Sweet vermouth) with soda water and an orange garnish, and supposedly it became quite popular with Americans looking for an overseas drink during the prohibition.

Although it does not have the same popularity as the Negroni, this absolutely should be on your list of drinks to whip up quickly.

Measuring Campari with a jigger

What is Campari exactly?

Campari is a bitter Italian aperitif made from a signature of herbs, spices, roots etc...

It has a distinct herbal bitterness, complimented by flavors of sweet candied orange. Campari's bright red color is one of the three ingredients of a Negroni and is responsible for all sorts of different bitter and herbal drink recipes.

It can be sipped on the rocks or in some soda water, or you can go one extra step and make it an Americano instead.

Pouring Cocchi vermouth into an Americano

What vermouth should I use?

For an Americano any good quality sweet vermouth will do.

Sweet vermouth is a fortified red wine made with all different types of botanicals that are specific to each maker so every brand of vermouth has a different flavor.

Don't use dry vermouth or Blanc vermouth in an Americano. Dry vermouth is an entirely different thing made from white wine and it will not give you the classic Americano flavor we're going for.

a few great options: Cocchi di Torino, Carpano Antica, Put e Mas

topping the Americano with soda

How to Make an Americano Cocktail

Making highball style drinks is always super easy but there are a few tips to keep in mind.

  1. Be gentle with soda water. The more you jostle it around the more bubbles you lose which is why you pour it right into the glass without measuring in a jigger.
  2. Add the vermouth and Campari to a glass with ice, top with soda and stir once or twice carefully.
  3. Squeeze the oils from an orange peel over the finished drink for a great citrus fragrance with every sip.

To do this use a vegetable peeler to take a piece of orange peel about 3 inches long, hold it over the drink skin side down and quickly squeeze the peel to release the vibrant oils trapped in the skin.

The finished Americano cocktail

Last drop in a metal straw and enjoy.

Exact measurements are up to you and if you like a different ratio of ingredients adjust it!

Americano Cocktail Recipe

The Americano is the light and bubbly cousin to the Negroni. It is a bitter, sweet refreshing, and perfect for summer.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 oz Campari
  • 1 1/2 oz Sweet Vermouth
  • ~3-4 oz Soda Water
  • Orange Peel - (optional)

Instructions

  • Fill a highball or large rocks glass with ice.
  • Pour in the Campari and Sweet Vermouth.
  • Slowly top with soda estimating the measurement to avoid pouring multiple times.
  • Gently stir once to mix.
  • Express the oils of the orange peel over top and drop in for garnish.

Notes

Be gentle with the soda water. Every time you pour it you will lose carbonation so don't measure it with a jigger.
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 1 drink
Tag me at @mydrinkinghobby when you make this!

Share the Americano!

Pinterest Americano

When looking for refreshing drinks the Americano should be on your list of summer cocktails to enjoy this year (and every year for that matter).


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