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Americano Cocktail

This classic Americano Cocktail recipe is a bubbly Italian drink with bittersweet, complex flavor. Made with only three ingredients – Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda – it’s refreshing and easy to make. No cocktail shaker required!

A bottle of Campari stands in the background with two Americano cocktails.

If you love a Negroni, then this Americano cocktail will be right up your alley! This drink has very similar flavor, but is served in a taller glass with bubbly club soda instead of gin – which makes it more like a spritz. It’s light and refreshing, with a touch of warmth, perfect for enjoying all year ’round.

Why I ❤️ This Americano Cocktail Recipe

I welcome any excuse to be reminded of our family’s trip to Italy earlier this year. This delicious drink takes me right back to the heart of Milan, on the piazza by the fantastic Milan Cathedral. Here’s why I love this cocktail:

  • 3 ingredients. When you already have Campari and sweet vermouth on hand for Negronis, it’s super easy to also make Americanos. Just grab some club soda!
  • Easy. Simply pour the three ingredients over ice and give a quick, gentle stir. No drink-making experience or cocktail shaker required!
  • Gorgeous flavor. The bubbly Americano is a tall glass of complex flavor that combines bitter, sweet, and warm in one glass. It’s just as lovely on a hot summer day as it is sitting by the fire.
  • An Italian classic. I enjoyed my first Campari spritz and Americano cocktail while visiting Milan, where Campari was born.

What Is An Americano Cocktail?

An American cocktail is an Italian cocktail made with equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth. It’s served over ice with a bit of soda water or club soda to lighten up the alcohol and balance both the bitterness of the Campari and the sweetness of the vermouth. It’s traditionally garnished with an orange slice.

What’s The Difference Between an Americano and a Negroni?

An Americano and a Negroni are very similar, with both drinks containing Campari and sweet vermouth.

The major difference is that a Negroni adds gin, packing more of an alcohol punch. And an Americano adds club soda, which dilutes the drink and makes it more like a spritz.

The smaller difference is in the appearance. A Negroni is served in a shorter glass, while an Americano is served in a taller glass.

The Americano is considered the pre-Negroni, meaning that the Negroni may have been inspired by the Americano.

The ingredients for Americano cocktail are labeled: sweet vermouth, Campari, club soda.

Americano Cocktail Ingredients

The ingredients list for this Italian cocktail is beautifully simple. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredient amounts.

  • Campari – This red Italian liqueur has bitter-sweet (heavier on the bitter!), complex flavor. You can find it near the other liqueurs at the liquor store.
  • Sweet vermouth – Vermouth is a fortified wine, typically combined with brandy. Sweet vermouth adds depth and a touch of sweetness to this cocktail.
    • Tip: Once you open a bottle of vermouth, you’ll want to store it in the fridge; it’ll stay good for up to 3 months. Use it in other vermouth cocktails, such as a Manhattan and the Spanish Tinto de Verano.
  • Club soda – I love bubbles! Any unflavored sparkling water will work in this drink, yet brands like Topo Chico and Fever Tree are extra lively. I like to keep it in the fridge so that the finished drink is as cold as possible.
  • Orange slice – This garnish is optional, yet I highly recommend it. To bring out a bit more of the orange flavor in the Campari, rub the orange slice around the glass rim before you tuck it into the drink!

What Is Campari?

Campari is an Italian liqueur that is known for its bitter, slightly sweet complex flavor with herbal and orange notes. It shows up in many cocktails, from a Campari spritz to other classic Italian drinks. Campari has an alcohol content of 24-28.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), and is distinguished by its bright red color. It’s typically mixed with other alcohols or club soda or soda water because its strong flavor.

How To Make An Americano Cocktail

To make an Americano, here’s what you’ll need to do. Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.

  • Combine ingredients. Add ice to a highball glass, then pour the Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda over the ice. Give a quick, gentle stir to combine.
Orange slices garnish a tall bubbling glass of Americano cocktail.
  • Garnish (optional). Tuck in a fresh orange slice, if you like. Enjoy!
A hand holds a tall glass of Americano cocktail garnished with orange slices.

Serving Suggestions

Add some small bites, to enjoy this drink as an aperitivo – like they do in Italy! A few serving suggestions include:

A bottle of Campari stands in the background with two Americano cocktails.

Americano Cocktail

Yield: 1 drink
prep time: 5 minutes
total time: 5 minutes
This classic Americano Cocktail recipe is a bubbly Italian drink with bittersweet, complex flavor. Made with only three ingredients – Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda – it's refreshing and easy to make. No cocktail shaker required!
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Ingredients

  • ounces Campari
  • ounces sweet vermouth
  • 4 ounces club soda, chilled

Instructions

  • Add ice to a highball glass, then pour in the Campari and sweet vermouth.
  • Top with club soda and give it a quick, gentle stir to combine.
  • If desired, garnish with a thin orange slice. To bring out more of the orange flavor in the Campari, you can also run the orange slice around the glass rim first!

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 148kcal Carbohydrates: 13g Protein: 0.03g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!

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