Americano Drink
Modified: Published: by Nora Breyer Combine Good Flavors 0 Comments
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A classic Americano drink is made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and sparkling water for a bittersweet Italian aperitivo cocktail that is light, bubbly, and wonderfully easy to build right in the glass.
Just as I was about to take a photo of my Campari Soda cocktail, it occurred to me that there is another really great cocktail made with Campari: the Americano! So I snapped a photo of it right after, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.
Ready for a Campari cocktail that feels just a little more dressed up, without making your evening more complicated?
The Americano cocktail is a classic Italian aperitivo drink with Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water. It is bright, bittersweet, gently sparkling, and made directly in the glass. No shaker, no fuss, just a beautiful drink to sip before dinner or during a slow summer afternoon.
This Americano cocktail recipe is slightly lighter and more refreshing than the classic IBA-style version because I like adding a little extra sparkling water. Garnish it with an orange slice, orange peel, or a lemon twist if you want to make it extra pretty.
What’s so awesome about this recipe:
Just a few ingredients
🔪 How to make an Americano Cocktail
Fill a rocks glass or old-fashioned glass with ice cubes & a few orange slices.
Pour the Campari and sweet vermouth directly over the ice.
Add sparkling water or soda water. Use 2 oz for a slightly stronger drink or 3 oz for a lighter, more refreshing Americano drink.
Give the drink a gentle stir. You want to combine everything without losing too many bubbles.
Garnish with an orange slice, orange peel, or lemon twist. Serve right away while the drink is cold and sparkling.
Party tip: Batch Version!
For a party-sized batch serving 6, combine:
6 oz (180 ml) Campari
6 oz (180 ml) sweet vermouth
Keep the mixture chilled in the fridge until ready to serve.
To serve, fill each glass with ice and pour 2 oz (60 ml) of the chilled Campari-vermouth mixture into each glass.
Top each drink with 2–3 oz (60–90 ml) sparkling water or soda water.
Garnish each Americano cocktail with an orange slice, orange peel, or lemon twist just before serving.
Do not add the sparkling water to the batch ahead of time, or the bubbles will fade.
Note
From Nora’s Cocktail Bar
I love this cocktail as the slightly more elegant sibling of a simple Campari Soda. It still has that beautiful bitter Campari sparkle, but the sweet vermouth gives it a little more depth and makes it feel like a proper aperitivo moment. Simple enough for a quiet evening, but pretty enough to make the glass feel special.
Nora’s Tips
- CHILL. Use chilled sparkling water so the drink stays crisp and refreshing.
- VERMOUTH. Once opened, sweet vermouth belongs in the fridge. It is wine-based and tastes much better when stored properly.
- LIGHTER. Use the full 3 oz sparkling water if you want a lower-intensity drink for summer afternoons.
- STRONGER. Use just a splash of soda water if you want to stay closer to the classic Americano cocktail build.
- GARNISH. Orange brings out the warmer citrus notes, while lemon makes the drink feel brighter and sharper.
Tools you’ll need
Some of the equipment links below may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
More Cocktail Recipes
Looking for more drinks to try? Here are a few easy cocktail recipes that are simple, pretty, and perfect for making an ordinary evening feel a little more special.
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Americano Cocktail
Ingredients
- Cubed ice
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz Sweet vermouth
- 2-3 oz Sparkling water or soda water
For garnish
- Orange slice orange peel, or lemon twist
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass or old-fashioned glass with Cubed ice.Cubed ice
- Pour in 1 oz Campari and 1 oz Sweet vermouth.1 oz Campari, 1 oz Sweet vermouth
- Top with 2-3 oz Sparkling water or soda water.2-3 oz Sparkling water
- Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with an Orange slice, orange peel, or lemon twist.Orange slice
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
For a lighter and more refreshing summer version, use 3 oz sparkling water.
Keep opened sweet vermouth refrigerated.
Blood orange slices make a beautiful seasonal garnish when available.
Batch Version
For 6 drinks, combine:6 oz (180 ml) Campari
6 oz (180 ml) sweet vermouth Keep the mixture chilled until ready to serve.
To serve, pour 2 oz (60 ml) of the chilled Campari-vermouth mixture into each ice-filled glass. Top each drink with 2–3 oz (60–90 ml) sparkling water and garnish with an orange slice, orange peel, or lemon twist.
Do not add the sparkling water until serving, or the bubbles will fade.
Nutrition
⛑️ Food Safety
- Wash hands, utensils, and work surfaces before preparing food or drinks.
- Use clean glasses, jars, cutting boards, and utensils.
- Keep raw eggs, raw flour, and unbaked dough or batter away from ready-to-eat foods.
- Do not eat raw dough or batter that contains raw flour or raw eggs.
- Keep perishable ingredients chilled until ready to use.
- Do not leave perishable foods or drinks at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if the temperature is above 90 °F / 32 °C.
- Refrigerate leftovers and perishable items promptly in airtight containers.
For further information, check Safe Food Handling – FDA.
