• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Inside The Rustic Kitchen
  • Recipe Index
  • FREE Italian Food Club
  • Tips & Tricks
  • About Us & Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • My Recipe Box
  • About us
  • Subscribe!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Americano Cocktail

    Published: Sep 6, 2021, Last updated: Sep 3, 2021 by Emily This post may contain affiliate links.

    11 shares
    • Facebook
    • Yummly
    • Reddit
    Recipe Print
    A close up of an Americano cocktail with a slice of orange and ice
    An Americano cocktail on a marble surface with olives in the background

    How to make a classic Americano cocktail! Perfect served as part of an Italian aperitivo with some marinated olives, Taralli or any snack you like. Made with just 3 simple ingredients it's so refreshing and delicious!

    An Americano cocktail on a marble work surface with olives in the background

    The Americano was first served at Gaspare Campari's bar, Caffe Campari in the 1860's although back then it was known as The Milano-Torino because Campari comes from Milan and Vermouth comes from Torino.

    It's thought that the name changed to The Americano after it became popular amongst American tourists visiting Italy and the name has stuck ever since.

    Just like a classic Negroni, this bitter cocktail is perfect served as an aperitivo (aperitif) with nibbles to stimulate your appetite before dinner in true Italian style!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients - what you need
    • Step by step photos and recipe instructions
    • Recipe tips and FAQs
    • Food to serve with an Americano
    • 📖 Full Recipe

    Ingredients - what you need

    See the photo below that shows you everything you need to make this recipe plus some important tips on ingredients!

    An overhead shot showing all the ingredients you need to make an Americano cocktail
    • Campari - made with an infusion or fruit and herbs with a strong bitter taste, Campari has a unique flavour and can't be replaced with anything else.
    • Vermouth - make sure you use a red dry vermouth, it doesn't need to be the Martini brand although it is good quality.
    • Soda water - soda water or sparkling water will do.
    • Orange slices - fresh slices of orange complete the drink.

    Step by step photos and recipe instructions

    Put ice in a short tumbler or glass and add equal parts of Campari and red vermouth (photos 1 & 2).

    Step by step photos showing how to make an Americano cocktail

    Stir the Campari and vermouth together then top up the glass with a splash of soda, garnish with slices of fresh orange (photos 3 & 4).

    Recipe tips and FAQs

    • Use plenty of ice - this cocktail is best served cold!
    • Garnish - you can garnish the cocktail with either orange or lemon.
    Why is it called The Americano?

    The cocktail was first named The Milano-Torino because of the origins of the liqueurs used but it's thought that the name changed to The Americano after it became hugely popular amongst American tourists.

    What's the difference between an Americano and Negroni?

    Both cocktails are very similar except a Negroni uses gin instead of soda water which makes it stronger.

    Do I need a cocktail shaker to make this?

    No, this cocktail doesn't use a cocktail shaker, simply pour the ingredients into each glass and stir.

    A close up of an Americano cocktail with a slice of orange

    Food to serve with an Americano

    Here are some of our favourite delicious Italian snacks that are perfect for serving with cocktails.

    • Grissini - Italian Breadsticks
    • Taralli Pugliesi (Italian Snack)
    • Easy Marinated Olives - Ready In 5 Minutes
    • Burrata with Crispy 'Nduja & Gremolata
    • Rosemary Focaccia Bread
    • Stracchino and Sausage Crostini

    If you’ve tried this Americano cocktail or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW US on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST or sign up to our NEWSLETTER to see more of our delicious food

    📖 Full Recipe

    Step By Step Photos AboveMost of our recipes come with step by step photos, helpful tips and tricks to make it perfectly first time and even video!
    Save RecipeSaved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    A close up of an Americano cocktail in a glass with orange and ice
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Americano Cocktail

    How to make a classic Americano cocktail! Perfect served as part of an Italian aperitivo with some marinated olives, Taralli or any snack you like. Made with just 3 simple ingredients!
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 2 minutes
    Total Time 2 minutes
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 109kcal
    Author Emily Kemp

    Ingredients

    • 1 fl oz Campari (30ml)
    • 1 fl oz Red Vermouth (30ml)
    • 1 splash soda water
    • 1 orange slice for garnish
    • Ice

    Instructions

    • Fill a short tumbler or glass with ice.
    • Pour in equal amounts of Campari and vermouth and stir to combine.
    • Top up the glass with a splash of soda, stir once more and garnish with a slice of fresh orange.

    Notes

    • Use plenty of ice - this cocktail is best served cold!
    • Garnish - you can garnish the cocktail with either orange or lemon.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
    Helpful Info for All Recipes
    • I always use extra virgin olive oil in all of my recipes unless stated otherwise
    • When I use canned or jarred tomatoes of any kind I always use Cirio or Mutti brands for the best results and flavour.
    • All vegetables are medium sized unless stated otherwise
    • All recipes are tested and developed using a fan (convection) oven
    • Find out more about how nutrition is calculated.
    • Check out our must have Italian Pantry Staples.
    • You can also find all our Essential Kitchen Tools for Italian Cooking.
    Did you try this recipe?Mention @insidetherustickitchen or tag #insidetherustickitchen! We'd love you see what you're getting up to in the kitchen!

    More Drinks

    • Martini Macchiato Cocktail
    • Puccini Cocktail
    • Homemade Limoncello - Quick & Easy Recipe
    • Espresso Martini

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Ciao, we're Emily and Nathan. Our years living in Italy taught us how to cook authentic and delicious Italian food. We're here to help you put a beautiful meal on the table with tried and tested recipes you can trust. more about us!

    As seen in

    A collage of high profile online publication logos

    Popular Recipes

    • Tiramisu - Authentic Recipe!
    • Mushroom Ravioli With Parmesan Cream Sauce
    • Eggplant Parmigiana (Parmigiana di Melanzane)
    • Italian Beef Ragu - A Classic Recipe
    • Lobster Ravioli with Vodka Cream Sauce
    • Authentic Italian Tomato Sauce - Quick, Easy & Delicious

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us & Contact
    • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
    • Accessibility Statement

    My Recipe Box

    • Sign up for email updates and save all your favourite recipes!

    Recipes

    • Pasta
    • Mains
    • Desserts

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Copyright © 2022 Inside the Rustic Kitchen

    11 shares