OLD FASHIONED COCKTAILS-Americano:
When was the Americano Invented?
The Americano cocktail was invented in Italy in the late 19th century. It was originally called the “Milano-Torino” because it was made with Campari, a bitter liqueur from Milan, and vermouth, a sweet fortified wine from Turin. The cocktail was later renamed the “Americano” in honor of American tourists who were known for ordering the drink in Italy.
The Americano became a popular drink in the early 20th century, and it was even enjoyed by James Bond in Ian Fleming’s novel “Casino Royale”. Today, it is still a classic cocktail that is enjoyed by people all over the world.
What You Need:
- Campari
- sweet vermouth
- Club soda
- Ice
- Orange peel, for garnish
How to Make a Americano?
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add 1 ½ oz of Campari to the glass using a jigger.
- Add 1 ½ oz of sweet vermouth to the glass.
- Stir the ingredients gently using a stirring spoon for about 10-15 seconds, or until the mixture is chilled and well combined.
- Top up the glass with club soda.
- Garnish with an orange peel by twisting it over the cocktail to release the oils and aromas, and then dropping it into the glass.
Tip For Making it:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The Americano is a simple cocktail that relies on the quality of its ingredients. Choose a high-quality Campari and sweet vermouth for the best flavor. If you prefer a sweeter or more bitter cocktail, experiment with different brands of Campari and sweet vermouth until you find your perfect combination.
- Adjust the proportions to suit your taste: The Americano can be adjusted to suit your taste by changing the proportions of Campari and sweet vermouth. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, add more sweet vermouth. If you prefer a more bitter cocktail, add more Campari.
- Stir gently: The Americano should be stirred gently to avoid diluting the cocktail too much. Use a mixing glass and a stirring spoon to combine the ingredients without creating too much turbulence in the glass.
- Use a highball glass: The Americano is traditionally served in a highball glass filled with ice. This allows the cocktail to remain cold and refreshing without becoming too diluted.
- Garnish with an orange peel: The orange peel adds a bright citrusy note to the cocktail and complements the bitter flavors of the Campari. Twist the peel over the cocktail to release the oils and aromas, and then drop it into the glass.
- Top up with club soda: The club soda adds a refreshing and effervescent element to the Americano. Add the club soda last, and be sure to top up the glass gently to avoid creating too much foam.
Frequently asked questions:
What type of Campari should I use in it?
Use a high-quality Campari with a smooth and balanced taste for the best results. The bitterness of the Campari is a key element in the Americano, so it’s important to choose a brand that you enjoy. Experiment with different brands until you find your perfect combination.
What type of sweet vermouth should I use in this Cocktail?
Use a sweet vermouth that you enjoy, and experiment with different brands and styles to find your perfect combination. The sweet vermouth should be balanced with the bitterness of the Campari to create a refreshing and flavorful cocktail.
Can I adjust the proportions of it?
Yes, the Americano can be adjusted to suit your taste by changing the proportions of Campari, sweet vermouth, and club soda. If you prefer a sweeter or more bitter cocktail, experiment with different proportions until you find your perfect combination.
What is the proper way to garnish it?
The traditional garnish for an Americano is an orange peel, which adds a bright citrusy note to the cocktail. Twist the orange peel over the cocktail to release the oils and aromas, and then drop it into the glass.
Americano
Americano has its roots in Italy, dating back to the 1860s. In the early twentieth century, many Americans in Italy enjoyed the wine so much that they called it Americano out of kindness, and it was passed down from there. Another theory is that the name comes from the Italian word amaro, which means "bitter". The inventor of Campari's bitter liqueur was Gaspare Campari, who also created this Americano. The Campari in this ingredient is bitter and sweet, and the other main ingredient, red vermouth, is sweet, so it is a wonderful combination of bitter and sweet. Together with the soda water, the whole wine is sweet and bitter, yet refreshing, balanced and lingering!
Ingredients
- 2 cups of ice
- 1 ½ oz bitter orange aperitif (such as Campari®)
- 1 ½ oz sweet vermouth
- 3 oz soda, or as needed
- 1 piece of orange peel
Instructions
Add ice to a water goblet. Pour in Campari and vermouth. Stir and top with soda water. Squeeze a twist of orange peel over the drink and drop it in.
Notes
The Americano is a simple and versatile cocktail that can be adjusted to suit your taste. You can experiment with different proportions of Campari and sweet vermouth to create a sweeter or more bitter cocktail. You can also adjust the amount of club soda to control the level of carbonation in the drink. Enjoy and have fun experimenting!
