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    Home » Classic Cocktails » The Americano Cocktail is a Delicious Classic

    Published: Dec 25, 2020 · Modified: Feb 25, 2022 by Kevin Mayfield · This post may contain affiliate links.

    The Americano Cocktail is a Delicious Classic

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    The Americano Cocktail was well known even before Ian Fleming included it in his spy novels.

    An Americano cocktail with an orange wheel in a bar setting
    Looking for a tangy, refreshing cocktail on a summer day? Or an aperitif with some bite? Look no further than this European delight.

    The Americano Cocktail is a Mid Century Delight

    This drink has been around since the mid-1860's and is said to have originated in Milan by bartender and inventor, Gaspare Campari. Campari is classified as an aperitif, meaning an alcoholic drink that is said to stimulate the appetite. These drinks tend to be more bitter than sweet.

    It was originally called a "Milan-Torino" or "Mi-To" for short, because it used ingredients from both Milan (Campari) and Torino (sweet vermouth). This early version was missing the splash of sparkling water. It is said that the name Americano came about because so many American tourists enjoyed it while traveling in Milan during Prohibition. It became a mid century favorite thanks to everyone's favorite spy, Bond. James Bond.

    James Bond's First Cocktail

    Fans of James Bond all know the story of the Vesper and the fact that he prefers his Martinis to be shaken and not stirred. But they may not know that Ian Fleming had Bond drink an Americano as his first cocktail in 1953's book, Casino Royale.

    Ingredients for an Americano Cocktail

    Okay, I admit that I make my Americanos with just a slight deviation. As you probably have guessed by now, I am a fan of Dubonnet. I use it in my Manhattan cocktails and several others. Dubonnet is technically not a vermouth. but it has been used interchangeably by fans for many decades. Here's what you need for this simple, but delicious drink:

    • Campari
    • Sweet vermouth
    • Sparkling water or club soda (these terms are used interchangeably)

    I prefer to use my classic ISI Sodamaker when I need a spritz to top off a drink with sparkling water. But Ian Fleming saw things differently. He was a fan of Perrier. As he wrote, "expensive soda water was the cheapest way to improve a poor drink."

    Tips for Success

    There's not much to making an Americano, just remember to use equal amounts of the ingredients and you can't go wrong. But keep the following pointers in mind:

    • Depending on how truly authentic you want to go, you can use either a lemon wedge or an orange wedge as a garnish. I prefer the orange because it gives this very dry drink a little sweetness.
    • If you're not a big Dubonnet fan, by all means use a vermouth such as Cinzano Rosso. While I didn't use it for this post, I did include my mid century Cinzano ashtray in the picture as a small hat-tip to that excellent vermouth.

    How do you prefer your Americano cocktail? Before dinner? Or sipped on a hot day to cool off?

    An Americano cocktail with an orange wheel in a bar setting

    The Americano Cocktail is a Delicious Classic

    Kevin Mayfield
    You don't need to be a brilliant spy to know that the Americano is perfect before a meal or on a hot day outside a lovely cafe.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 mins
    Total Time 2 mins
    Course Classic Cocktails
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 Cocktail
    Calories 148 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 ½ ounces Campari
    • 1 ½ ounces Sweet Vermouth
    • Splash of sparkling water
    • Orange slice

    Instructions
     

    • Add one scoop of ice to an old fashion glass
    • Pour in the Campari and vermouth, and stir to mix
    • Add a splash of sparkling water
    • Add orange garnish (or lemon, if you prefer)

    Notes

    Use a tall high-ball glass and add more sparkling water for a more refreshing cocktail

    Nutrition

    Calories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 1g
    Keyword Americano, Campari, Casino Royale cocktail, Ian Fleming cocktail, James Bond cocktail, madmen cocktails, mid century cocktail, rat pack cocktails
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    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

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