The Americano cocktail (not to be confused with the Caffè Americano) was created in the 1860s at Gaspare Campari’s bar in Milan, Italy. The signature drink is made with Campari, sweet vermouth and sparkling water. It’s bittersweet, bubbly, low ABV and refreshing.
More Campari drinks: Negroni, Boulevardier, Negroni Sbagliato.
Ingredients in an Americano Cocktail
- Campari – An Italian bitter.
- Sweet Vermouth – Such as Gallo.
- Soda Water – Or mineral water to top.
- Orange Twist – To garnish.
Americano cocktails are often served in both short and tall glasses. Choose a double old fashioned glass or a highball glass.
How To Make
In a glass filled with ice, pour in Campari and sweet vermouth.
Top off with soda water and stir gently to mix.
Garnish with an orange wedge, orange slice or an orange twist.
History
The Americano was created at Gaspare Campari’s bar in Milan, Italy in the 1860s. People think that the name comes from the fact that the drink was very popular with American tourists of that era.
This drink is said to be the original recipe behind the Negroni. In Florence, Italy, the Italian Count Camillo Negroni tweaked the Americano recipe by replacing the soda water with gin and the Negroni was born.
It is also recognized as one of James Bond’s go-to drinks in the original book series. In the 1953 book, “Casino Royale,” it is the first drink that James Bond orders.
Tips for Making
- The Americano is a low ABV cocktail, making it a great choice for day drinking or when you don’t want to consume much alcohol.
- Sweet vermouth should be stored in the fridge after opening. It begins to change flavor within a month—we recommend a fresh bottle for the best possible version of this recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an Americano and a Negroni?
An Americano has sparkling water and a Negroni has gin. So an Americano cocktail is much more light, where a Negroni is a very stiff drink.
What is in an Americano cocktail?
Campari, sweet vermouth and sparkling water.
What does an Americano cocktail taste like?
An Americano is a light, sparkling cocktail that is slightly sweet, bitter and has flavors of citrus.
More Recipes to Try:
Get our FREE recipe guide with our most popular recipes of all time!
Get the Guide
Free Popular Recipe Guide
Our top 25 recipes of all time!
Print
Get the Recipe
Learn to make the Americano cocktail using Campari, sweet vermouth and sparkling water. You’ll love this refreshing Italian cocktail.
Instructions
-
In a glass filled with ice, pour in Campari and sweet vermouth.
-
Top off with soda water and stir gently to mix.
-
Garnish with an orange wedge or an orange twist.
Notes
- The Americano is a low ABV cocktail, making it a great choice for day drinking or when you don’t want to consume much alcohol.
- Sweet vermouth should be stored in the fridge after opening. It begins to change flavor within a month—we recommend a fresh bottle for the best possible version of this recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Americano Cocktail
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
English
العربية
Nederlands
Français
Deutsch
Italiano
日本語
한국어
Русский
Español
Svenska
Türkçe
اردو
Tiếng Việt