The recipe
for your table
Fill a tumbler or small long drink glass with ice cubes.
Pour in the Campari and vermouth.
Top up with a splash of cold soda water and stir once.
Garnish with half an orange wheel.
The story
The drink originated in the 1860s at Gaspare Campari's bar in Milan, as the 'Milano-Torino' — Campari from Milan, vermouth from Turin. When American tourists fell head over heels for it in droves at the beginning of the twentieth century, the Italians jokingly renamed it 'Americano'. An extra piece of literary history: in Casino Royale, it is not a Martini but an Americano that James Bond orders first. Anyone who wants to experience Milan's aperitivo culture starts here.
The right glass
The Americano is versatile: in Milan, it is served both in a low tumbler and in a small highball glass. A 34- to 35-cl tumbler gives it that classic aperitivo feel; choose a model with some texture for the retro look of a Milanese bar. The most important rule: plenty of ice and a generous orange garnish. If you prefer to serve it in a small long drink glass with plenty of ice, take a look at our long drink glasses.
RCR Alkemist Tumbler 35 cl (6 pieces)
Arcoroc Islande Long Drink Glass 33 cl (6 pieces)
Both sets — €52.90 together, free shipping from €50.
Variations & twists
More soda water makes it an even lighter terrace drink; less soda water brings you close to a Milano-Torino, the original without bubbles. With grapefruit soda instead of soda water, you get a modern, refreshing twist. The next step on the bitterness ladder is called Negroni. Looking for more inspiration? Browse all 80 cocktail recipes.
Serving tip
The Americano is ideal for guests who want “something light”: around 10% ABV in the glass. Serve it with salty snacks—the bitterness and salt make each other taste better.
Americano or Negroni: the difference
Put the two side by side and the difference is one ingredient. Both use equal parts Campari and red vermouth; where the Negroni gets 3 cl of gin, the Americano uses a splash of soda water. That is the difference between just over 24 percent ABV and about 10 percent. The Americano is also the older of the two: the Negroni only came about when Count Camillo Negroni asked for something stronger around 1919. If you want the link between the two, pour in prosecco instead of soda water and you have a Negroni Sbagliato.
Which red vermouth should you choose
Because there are only three ingredients in the glass, you immediately notice the vermouth. A classic Italian red vermouth such as Carpano Antica or Cocchi Vermouth di Torino adds depth, with vanilla and bitter herbs that balance the Campari. Cheaper vermouth is often sweeter and flatter, which makes the cocktail syrupy. More important than the brand is storage: vermouth is wine and deteriorates after opening. Keep the bottle in the refrigerator and use it within a month or six weeks; otherwise, you will mainly taste oxidation instead of herbs.
How much alcohol does it contain
Campari is around 25 percent ABV and sweet vermouth around 15, and together that amounts to just 6 cl of spirits in a glass that is otherwise filled with soda water and ice. In the glass, that brings you to about 10 percent ABV, comparable to a generous glass of wine. That is precisely why the Americano became the standard aperitif in Italy: you can have two before dinner without the evening getting out of hand. Leave out the soda water, and you immediately jump to around 25 percent ABV and completely change its character.
Americano cocktail or americano coffee
If you search online for americano, you mostly get coffee. The confusion is understandable, because both names refer to Americans in Italy, but otherwise they have nothing in common. The coffee is espresso diluted with hot water; the cocktail is Campari with sweet red vermouth and soda, served cold and bitter. In an Italian bar, you order the cocktail as an americano and the coffee as caffè americano. If you still want to combine coffee and alcohol, you end up with a carajillo or an espresso martini, which are entirely different drinks.
Frequently asked questions
What is in an Americano cocktail?
An Americano consists of 3 cl Campari, 3 cl sweet red vermouth, and a splash of soda water, served over plenty of ice and garnished with half an orange slice. No shaker is needed: everything goes directly into the glass and is then gently stirred once.
What is the difference between an Americano and a Negroni?
An Americano has soda water where a Negroni has gin. Both use equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, but the sparkling water keeps the Americano light and approachable, while the gin makes the Negroni much stronger. Historically, the Americano is the older of the two.
How much alcohol is in an Americano?
An Americano contains around 10 percent alcohol by volume. Campari and sweet vermouth are both relatively low in alcohol, while the soda water and melting ice dilute it further. This makes it one of the lightest classic cocktails and a good choice for a long evening.
Which glass do you use for an Americano?
A 34 to 35 cl tumbler or a small highball glass is the classic choice; in Milan, you see both served side by side. More important than the shape is what goes in it: plenty of ice and a generous orange garnish. See our tumbler glasses.
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