The Americano: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Some cocktails feel as old as café culture itself. The Americano—bittersweet, bubbly, effortlessly relaxed—is one of them. It’s a drink that predates the Negroni, helped shape the spritz, and defined Italian aperitivo long before the world learned the word aperitivo. Refreshing yet complex, low-ABV yet deeply flavorful, the Americano is a timeless ritual in a glass.

I. Origins

Before It Was the Americano, It Was the Milano–Torino

The story of the Americano begins in the late 19th century with a drink known as the Milano–Torino. Named after its two core ingredients—Campari from Milan (Milano) and sweet vermouth from Turin (Torino)—the Milano–Torino was a simple but powerful expression of Italian drinking culture:

• bitter red aperitivo

• fortified aromatic wine

It was bold, balanced, and distinctly Italian.

The Soda Water Evolution

As café and bar culture expanded, bartenders began lengthening the Milano–Torino with soda water. This small change transformed the drink:

• lower alcohol

• more refreshment

• enhanced aroma

• perfect for pre-dinner sipping

Thus, the Americano was born—a lighter, more social iteration of the Milano–Torino.

Why “Americano”?

By the early 20th century, American tourists in Italy—especially during the interwar years—embraced the bittersweet European aperitivo tradition. They wanted drinks that were:

• less alcoholic

• longer

• refreshing rather than boozy

According to legend, the Italians noticed this preference and dubbed the sparkling Milano–Torino the “Americano”—“the American-style version.”

It stuck.

II. Historical Evolution

Fame Through Campari Ads and Café Culture

During the 1920s–1950s, Campari launched iconic advertising campaigns throughout Italy, many featuring the Americano. Posters and café menus cemented it as the aperitivo drink of commuters, artists, and Milanese business professionals.

It became a Milan staple at:

• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

• cafés along Corso Venezia

• train station bars

• neighborhood aperitivo stops

The drink represented balance: bitter, sweet, cold, refreshing.

Role in the Negroni Story

The Negroni didn’t replace the Americano—the Negroni evolved from it.

Around 1919, Count Camillo Negroni ordered an Americano but asked for gin instead of soda water. The bartender obliged. The result was a stronger, more assertive drink, and the Negroni was born.

The Americano remains the gentler sibling of one of the world’s most iconic cocktails.

James Bond and Pop Culture

In Casino Royale (1953), Ian Fleming describes James Bond ordering an Americano: a drink perfectly suited for travel, daylight, and pre-meal sipping. Bond prefers it when pacing his alcohol intake.

This placed the Americano into Western pop-culture consciousness.

The Rise of Low-ABV Drinking

In the 2010s and 2020s, as low-ABV cocktails gained popularity, the Americano surged back into relevance. Bartenders leaned heavily on its:

• sessionability

• aperitivo pedigree

• photogenic color

• ability to pair with food

The Americano is now a staple at:

• natural wine bars

• Italian restaurants

• craft cocktail bars

• spritz-forward aperitivo cafés

It is no longer overshadowed by the Negroni—it stands confidently as its own classic.

III. Ingredients & Technique

The Americano’s structure is archetypal:

1. Bitter Aperitivo (Campari)

The backbone. Bracing, citrusy, herbal, iconic. Campari brings:

• gentian bitterness

• orange peel aromatics

• unmistakable ruby color

2. Sweet Vermouth

Turin-style vermouth adds:

• depth

• spice

• vanilla and cocoa notes

• botanical warmth

Using a high-quality vermouth elevates the drink dramatically.

3. Soda Water

More than dilution—soda adds:

• lift

• texture

• effervescence

• refreshment

Cold soda water is essential to prevent rapid dilution.

4. Garnish

Traditionally:

• orange peel

• orange wheel

Modern variations include grapefruit peel or a dehydrated orange wheel.

5. Ice

Serve always with:

• full cubes or

• a single large cube

Never crushed ice—it over-dilutes the drink.

6. Build Technique

The Americano is always built in the glass:

1. Ice

2. Campari

3. Vermouth

4. Soda (top)

5. Single stir

Never shake. Never stir aggressively. The Americano is a drink of subtle integration.

IV. Cultural Significance

1. A Gateway to Italian Bitters

For many drinkers, the Americano is their first step into the world of:

• Campari

• amari

• vermouth

• aperitivo rituals

It is Italy’s most approachable bitter cocktail.

2. Low-ABV Lifestyle

The Americano embodies the modern move toward:

• long drinks

• slow drinking

• food-friendly cocktails

• aperitivo as lifestyle rather than occasion

It perfectly represents Italy’s philosophy: drink well, not fast.

3. A Terrace Icon

Like many aperitivo classics, the Americano thrives outdoors:

• bustling piazzas

• sunny terraces

• seaside cafés

• urban patios

Its red color and effervescence make it a natural showpiece.

4. A Democratic Cocktail

The Americano is ordered by artists, students, executives, travelers, and connoisseurs alike. It is neither pretentious nor simple—just timeless.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Americano

Ingredients

• 1 oz (30 ml) Campari

• 1 oz (30 ml) sweet vermouth

• 2–3 oz (60–90 ml) soda water

• Garnish: orange slice or orange twist

Method

1. Fill a highball or rocks glass with ice.

2. Add Campari.

3. Add sweet vermouth.

4. Top with cold soda water.

5. Give one gentle stir.

6. Garnish with an orange twist or wheel.

Specs

• Glass: Highball (modern) or rocks (classic)

• Ice: Full cubes

• Garnish: Orange wheel or twist

• Style: Low-ABV Italian aperitivo

Technique Notes

• Keep soda water very cold for maximum effervescence.

• Vermouth must be refrigerated once opened—freshness matters.

• Do not overshake or overstir; carbonation should remain lively.

• Adjust sweetness by modifying vermouth quantity.

Variations & Lineage

• Americano Highball: Extra soda for a longer drink.

• Americano Sbagliato: Use Prosecco instead of soda.

• White Americano: Bianco vermouth + white bitter aperitivo.

• Americano Rosato: Use rosé vermouth for berry aromatics.

• Americano Milano: Add a grapefruit wedge.

• Americano Torino: Add a dash of aromatic bitters.

Service & Pairing Tip

Pairs beautifully with:

• olives

• grissini

• burrata

• prosciutto

• bruschetta

• fried snacks (arancini, croquettes)

Ideal for aperitivo hour, summer afternoons, or as a palate-opening first drink of the evening.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

Aperitivo for the Modern Era

The Americano is the blueprint for modern low-ABV drinking. It paved the way for:

• the Spritz

• the Negroni Sbagliato

• amaro sodas

• vermouth-centric cocktails

Why It Endures

• Balanced without complexity

• Refreshing without being sweet

• Bitter without being aggressive

• Perfect for any season

• Versatile with food

• Historically significant

The Americano is more than a cocktail—it’s a ritual, a lifestyle, a piece of Italian café culture poured over ice.