Equal parts Campari and sweet red vermouth, poured over ice and lengthened with a splash of soda water, compose the Americano, one of the foundational aperitivo cocktails of Italian drinking culture. Garnished with citrus peel, it is recognized by the IBA among its Unforgettable classics. At roughly 14 percent alcohol by volume, the drink balances Campari's herbal bitterness against the rich, wine-like sweetness of the vermouth, with the soda adding effervescence. Also called the Milano-Torino for the origins of its two principal ingredients, it remains a benchmark of the bitter-sweet aperitif style.
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Americano
Milano-Torino
Ingredientes
- Campari 1 oz
- Sweet Vermouth 1 oz red
- Lemon peel Twist of
- Orange peel Twist of
Instruções
Pour the Campari and vermouth over ice into glass, add a splash of soda water and garnish with half orange slice.
O Americano é um clássico IBA Unforgettable que combina partes iguais de Campari e vermute tinto doce sobre gelo, finalizado com um toque de água com gás e decorado com casca de cítrico torcida. A 13,71% ABV, é um dos coquetéis de aperitivo originais e uma pedra angular da cultura italiana de bebidas.
History & Origins
The Americano originated in Milan, Italy, at Gaspare Campari's bar in the 1860s, where it was originally called the Milano-Torino — a reference to Campari (from Milan) and sweet vermouth (from Turin). It earned the name Americano in the early 20th century, reportedly because American tourists favored the drink during Prohibition. It is also notable as the drink that James Bond orders in Ian Fleming's first novel, Casino Royale.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Bitter orange and herbal complexity from the Campari, layered with the dried fruit and spice of sweet vermouth, lifted by the bright oils of the citrus peel garnish. Palate: Bitter and sweet in equal measure; Campari's rhubarb and orange bitterness meets the vermouth's rich vanilla and cherry sweetness, with soda providing a refreshing effervescence. Finish: Long and pleasantly bitter, with lingering herbal notes.
Pro Tip
Always express the citrus peel over the glass before garnishing to release the essential oils, which dramatically enhance the aroma and flavor of this aperitivo.
Técnicas Utilizadas
Compare Americano
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Americano an IBA classic cocktail?
The Americano is one of the International Bartenders Association's Unforgettable Cocktails, celebrated for its simplicity and historical importance as the predecessor to the Negroni. Its combination of Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water creates a bittersweet, low-alcohol aperitivo at approximately 13.71% ABV.
How is the Americano related to the Negroni?
The Americano is the direct predecessor of the Negroni; legend holds that Count Negroni asked for his Americano to be strengthened by replacing the soda water with gin, creating the Negroni around 1919 in Florence. The Americano predates the Negroni by several decades, making it one of the foundational Campari cocktails.
Why is it called the Americano?
The cocktail is believed to have been named after the many American tourists who drank it at Milan's Caffè Campari during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as Americans reportedly enjoyed the bittersweet Campari-vermouth combination. The soda water addition also distinguished it from the more spirit-forward Italian preparations.
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