Americano cocktail
There are various tales circulating on how the American cocktail originated. And connecting the dots is as mysterious as an Indiana Jones puzzle. Having originated in Milan, Italy, it quite resembles the Milano Torino, which is made with two common ingredients – Campari and red vermouth. The Negroni, on the other hand, is made using three ingredients: Campari, red vermouth, and soda. Making both of the cocktails a bit stronger in alcohol content than the Americano cocktail, which has the addition of soda, making it a bit diluted
Campari, the bitter-tasting Italian aperitif, is irreplaceable in the americano cocktail, making it the most essential ingredient of the cocktail. Red Vermouth helps smooth the bitterness of the Campari, giving it a pleasant, sweet, and bitter taste. The soda further enhances the cocktail by diluting it and smoothing out the flavours. Now this is one of the many cocktails where the garnish is as vital as any ingredient. The citric flavour of the Malta orange also contributes to the cocktail’s flavour.
The origin of the Americano cocktail
The Americano cocktail’s history dates back to 1860, when it was first served at the GASPARE CAMPARI bar in Milan, Italy—the man behind the Campari Aperitif. The drink was initially named Milano-Torino primarily because of the two ingredients used in it. Later, around the 20th century, its popularity rose amongst American tourists, and by adding soda to the Milano Torino, the drink came to be baptised as “Americano”. Which further led to the invention of the Negroni. No Americano – No Negroni. For all those who love the Negroni, thank the Americano, and for those who hate 😛
The great-grandfather of the Negroni, it’s one of the few great-tasting cocktails with Campari. It ranks at top of my go-to drinks for being very light on the tummy and easy to make it. You could do it yourself without processing any bar knowledge or having to hire a bartender to do it for you. The taste and the vibrant red colour are a delight to your taste and eyes without actually filling you, keeping your tummy light. One of the cocktails you could have any time of the year. On a hot summer noon, it does wonders.
Cocktail Ingredients
- Campari 30ml
- Vermouth 30ml
- Ice
- Soda
- orange
Equipment
- Highball / Collin glass
- Measuring jigger
How to make an Americano cocktail
- Fill a highball glass with ice
- Add 30 ml Campari and 30 ml vermouth to the glass
- Top up with a club soda
- Squeeze and drop an orange zest to it
A nice, refreshing cocktail that can be enjoyed at any time of day. I recommend it if you’re looking for a not-very-strong but great-tasting cocktail. The soda does wonders for the cocktail by taming the bitterness of the Campari. If you don’t like Campari and have trouble finishing it? “Americano cocktail” is the answer
Cheers!!
Drink responsibly
