Americano
Campari, sweet vermouth and soda over ice. Bitter, light and easy to drink slowly.
- Time
- 3 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Glass
- Highball
- Strength
- 1 UK units
How to make an Americano
- Fill the glass. Fill a highball glass right to the top with ice. More ice keeps the drink colder and stops the soda going flat.
- Pour the bitter and vermouth. Pour in the Campari and sweet vermouth and give it one slow stir, about 5 seconds, until the colour is even.
- Top with soda. Add soda to fill the glass, around 60 to 80 ml. Pour it gently so you keep the bubbles.
- Garnish. Tuck an orange slice into the glass, or squeeze a peel over it for oils.
- Glass
- HighballNo highball? A tumbler or wine glass.
- Ice
- Ice cubes
- Garnish
- Orange sliceOr: A twist of orange peel.
What you need to make an Americano
Bottles we'd use
- CampariThe drink needs Campari. Aperol is too sweet and too weak.Find it on Amazon
- Sweet vermouthMartini Rosso is easy to find; Cocchi Vermouth di Torino is richer.Find it on Amazon
Links to Amazon are affiliate links: if you buy through them, Bar Bandol may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The Americano story
The Americano began in Milan in the 1860s as the Milano-Torino, named for its two ingredients: Campari from Milan and vermouth from Turin. Accounts differ on why it became the Americano. Some say Italians noticed American visitors ordering it, others say it was a nod to the boxer Primo Carnera, who won a world title in the 1930s.
It is a low-strength drink, which is why it was a popular pre-dinner order. The soda lengthens it and softens the bitterness. If it tastes too sharp, use more vermouth; if it is too sweet, add a squeeze of orange.
Americano: your questions answered
What is in an Americano?
An Americano is made with 25 ml Campari, 25 ml sweet vermouth and soda water to top. Garnish: orange slice.
How strong is an Americano?
Made to this recipe, an Americano contains about 1 UK units of alcohol per drink. That is worked out from typical bottle strengths, so it changes with the bottles you use. UK guidelines advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week.
What glass do you serve an Americano in?
Serve an Americano in a highball over ice. No highball? A tumbler or wine glass.
