Kitchen Recipe Collection
Italian Americano Cocktail
The precursor to the Negroni. A highly refreshing, lower-alcohol highball combining Campari, Sweet Vermouth, and sparkling water.
- Prep
- 3 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 3 min
- Servings
- 1
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- italian
Ingredients
Scaled for 1 serving
- Campari
- Sweet Vermouth (Vermouth Rosso)
- soda water
- ice cubes
- orange slice or lemon peel
Equipment
- Highball glass or rocks glass
- Bar spoon
Instructions
- 1
Prepare Glass
Fill a highball glass (or a large rocks glass) completely with fresh ice cubes.
- 2
Measure Campari
Pour 1.5 oz (45ml) of Campari directly over the ice.
- 3
Measure Vermouth
Pour 1.5 oz (45ml) of Sweet Vermouth over the ice.
- 4
Stir Base
Briefly stir the Campari and Vermouth together to chill.
- 5
Add Soda
Top the glass with soda water (about 2-3 oz, or to taste).
- 6
Final Stir
Stir gently once to lift the heavier spirits up through the soda water.
- 7
Prepare Garnish
Cut a half-moon slice of a fresh orange.
- 8
Alternative Garnish
Alternatively, use a long strip of lemon peel, expressing the oils over the top of the drink.
- 9
Garnish
Slide the orange slice into the glass alongside the ice.
- 10
Serve
Serve immediately. It is the perfect daytime or early afternoon cocktail.
Cooking Tips
- Because this is a long drink, the quality of your ice and the fizziness of your soda water are crucial. Use highly carbonated water.
- Keep your Sweet Vermouth in the refrigerator to prevent it from oxidizing and tasting like flat wine.
Variations
- The 'Milano-Torino': The exact same drink (Campari from Milan, Vermouth from Turin), but served without the soda water.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- Originally known as the Milano-Torino, it was renamed the 'Americano' because it became incredibly popular with American tourists in Italy in the early 20th century.
Nutrition Estimate
150 calories · 0g protein · 14g carbs · 0g fat · 0g fiber per serving
