Americano

Campari, sweet vermouth and soda: the bittersweet aperitivo that became the Negroni’s parent.

• Campari30 ml
• Sweet vermouth30 ml
• Soda waterto top
• Orange wheelto garnish

Build the Campari and vermouth in a rocks glass over ice. Top with soda water, stir once and garnish with an orange wheel.

CREATED

Late 1800s

CREATOR

Unknown

STATE

Italy

LOCATION

Italy

The Americano’s name means “American-style” in Italian, a nod to the popularity of vermouth-and-bitters cocktails from the United States. Italian vermouth producers began selling vermouth with bitters already added as “vermouth Americano”, and bars added bitter liqueurs such as Campari, sometimes topping the drink with soda. Ferruccio Mazzon’s 1920 Il Barista includes two Americano recipes and documents its evolution from dressed-up vermouth.