AMERICANO COCKTAIL
The Americano is one of the most famous and appreciated cocktails, a drink with the unmistakable color of a beautiful dark red, perfect both for happy hour and after dinner.
Making it at home is very simple, and since I am a fan but not as skilled in cocktail making, in this case, I got some help from a talented bartender in Milan.
The recipe for the AMERICANO includes ingredients: Bitter, Red Vermouth, and Soda, all completed with an orange slice; it will only take 5 minutes to prepare the most delicious AMERICANO cocktail you have ever tasted, perfect to serve to your friends as an aperitif or after dinner.
The ingredients of this famous drink unite two cities: Turin, the home of Vermouth, and Milan, the kingdom of Campari.
In the recipe, I will explain how to measure the quantities precisely (it would be better to use a jigger, the measuring tool used by bartenders), how to mix it (grab a bar spoon), and how much ice to add to avoid watering it down too much, and don’t forget the right glass: a low tumbler.
Now that I’ve told you the perfect tools to prepare the AMERICANO COCKTAIL to perfection, don’t worry, even a regular glass will do just fine, a regular spoon for mixing, and a kitchen measuring cup instead of a jigger because what really matters are the right doses and proportions of the ingredients. And now, everyone ready to prepare the AMERICANO!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Portions: 1 glass
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz dry vermouth
- soda
- 1/2 slice orange
- 1 lemon (zest only)
- ice (a few cubes)
Tools
- Glass
Steps
Before starting to prepare the Americano, thinly slice an orange and cut it in half, then peel the lemon (best with a vegetable peeler) removing a bit of the inner white part. So when your AMERICANO COCKTAIL is ready, you’ll just need to add them without waiting.
Fill the typical AMERICANO glass (a low tumbler) with ice up to ¾. Pour in this order: Campari, Red Vermouth, and finally a splash of soda. Quickly stir with a bar spoon (or a regular spoon). Squeeze the lemon zest to release the essential oils and then place it in the glass, garnish with the half orange slice, and in less than 5 minutes your AMERICANO is ready!
TIPS
SODA: Don’t worry if you don’t have a siphon or pre-made Soda from the supermarket, alternatively, you can use very sparkling water.
ICE: To prevent the ice from watering down your drink too much, measure all the ingredients first so you don’t waste time during preparation.
HISTORY AND CURIOSITIES AMERICANO
The origins of the AMERICANO have always sparked debates. Some say it was born as a “variation” of the popular Milano-Torino cocktail (red vermouth and Campari bitter) to which soda was added, others tell that it was created in honor of boxer Primo Carnera, the first European to win the heavyweight title overseas, against American John Shirley. The Americano was even mentioned in the 50s by the writer of 007 and made famous by the film of the same name where James Bond drinks this cocktail sitting at the Royal les Eaux at l’Hermitage in Paris.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
How do you make an Americano?
The Americano is prepared using the build technique and is served in an Old fashioned glass. Pour directly into the glass full of ice the red vermouth and the Vermouth and add the soda. It’s possible to garnish the drink with a slice of orange and lemon zest.
What’s the difference between Negroni and Americano?
The main difference between the Negroni and the Americano is that the Americano contains soda, while the Negroni has Gin. This is because Count Negroni, in 1919, asked the Florentine bartender to replace the soda with Gin.
How much alcohol does an Americano have?
The Americano was created as an aperitif cocktail. Its alcohol content is around 11°, making it a medium cocktail, also suitable for accompanying a chat after dinner.
