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    Home » Drinks

    Americano Cocktail

    5 from 1 vote

    By Pina Bresciani ⁠— July 25, 2019 (updated March 21, 2025) — Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    Pinterest image for americano cocktail

    Move over negroni! At just 3 ingerdients, this Americano cocktail will fast become your favorite drink! Similar in flavor profile to a negroni, but on the lighter side, it's perfect  for when you're in the mood for something bright and refreshing. 

    americano cocktail in a glass surrounded by ice cubes

    Have you ever had an americano cocktail? If not, I suggest you try one! Perfect for those summer days, where it's hot and you're in the mood for a refreshing drink to cool down, Sure, you could go for an aperol spritz, but why not give something different a try? Trust me, you'll be glad you did!

    What is an Americano Cocktail?

    It's a bitter cocktail that is generally drank as an aperitivo, or aperitif, before a meal. All the bitter flavors open up the palette, and stimulate the appetite.

    The Americano was actually created before the negroni, even though the negroni is now much more popular. Personally, I like the flavor of the americano much better.

    The main ingredients in an americano cocktail are:

    • Campari
    • Red sweet vermouth
    • Club soda

    What is Campari?

    Campari is an alcoholic Italian liqueur that is red/crimson in color. It’s alcohol content varies from between 20.5% to 28% in strength.

    What is Vermouth?

    Vermouth is a fortified wine, meaning it's wine spiked with distilled alcohol to raise the proof, and then flavored with herbs and spices,. hile every brand has its own special recipe, there are two main varieties of vermouth: sweet, which is reddish-brown in color (used in this americano cocktail), sweetened with sugar and sometimes called Italian vermouth; and dry, which is straw-colored, typically more bitter and sometimes called French vermouth.

    What does an Americano Cocktail Taste Like?

    I'm not going to lie- it's definitely bitter (which I personally love). If you know what a negroni tastes like, an americano tastes like a negroni but without the gin. It's big and bold in flavor, but not as strong as a negroni.

    2 glasses with americano cocktails in them with a decanter in the background

    The Americano Cocktail Ratio:

    To make a classic americano cocktail, the ratio to follow is 1 part campari, 1 part vermouth and 2 parts club soda. As long as you follow this ratio, you will end up with a delicious cocktail.

    For example, you can do 1 oz campari, 1 oz vermouth, and 2 oz club soda. This particular recipe uses a tall cocktail glass, so the measurements used are 2 oz campari, 2 oz vermouth, 4 oz club soda.

    If you don't like your cocktails as strong, you can add more club soda than the recipe calls for.

    How to Make an Americano Cocktail - Step by Step

    Fill a tall cocktail glass with 5-6 ice cubes. First add campari to the glass (step 1)

    Then pour in the vermouth (photo 2)

    Step by step photos on how to make an americano cocktail (steps 1-2)

    Top with club soda (step 3)

    Stir with a spoon so all the ingredients combine. Garnish with orange slices and strawberries (step 4)

    Step by step photos on how to make an americano cocktail (steps 3-4)

    Top Tips to Make an Americano Cocktail:

    • This americano cocktail recipe is made for a tall cocktail glass. If you're using a smaller glass, you can halve the recipe.
    • The recommended vermouth to use for this cocktail is a red sweet vermouth. I used Cinzano Rosso, but there are so many red vermouths out there you can use.
    • This cocktail is on the stronger side. To make it less strong, you can add more club soda than the recipe calls for.
    • Garnishing this cocktail with orange slices and strawberries is optional, but I would recommend it. It makes the cocktail look pretty, and by the time you're finished the cocktail, you'll have wonderful liqueur-soaked fruit to eat!
    • To get the exact measurements and proportions for this cocktail, make it with a shot glass (as shown in the process steps)

    Overhead shot of 2 glasses with americano cocktails in them garnished with oranges and strawberries

    Other Cocktail Recipes You Might Like:

    • Campari Spritz
    • Hugo Cocktail
    • Campari Soda

    If you’ve tried making this Americano Cocktail, or any other recipe on the blog please let me know what you thought of it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND PINTEREST to see more delicious food and what I’ve been up to.

    Recipe

    americano cocktail in a glass surrounded by ice cubes
    Print Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Americano Cocktail

    An Americano cocktail is a delicious campari cocktail made with campari (of course!), sweet vermouth, and club soda. Its bitter and refreshing flavor will open your palette for a big meal and cool you down on a hot day.  
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 196kcal
    Author Pina Bresciani

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces campari
    • 2 ounces sweet vermouth
    • 4 ounces club soda

    Instructions

    • Fill a tall cocktail glass with 5-6 ice cubes. 
    • First add campari to the glass. Then pour in the vermouth. Top with club soda. 
    • Stir with a spoon so all the ingredients combine. Garnish with orange slices and strawberries. 

    Recipe Notes

    • This americano cocktail recipe is made for a tall cocktail glass. If you're using a smaller glass, you can halve the recipe.
    • The recommended vermouth to use for this cocktail is a red sweet vermouth. I used Cinzano Rosso, but there are so many red vermouths out there you can use.
    • This cocktail is on the stronger side. To make it less strong, you can add more club soda than the recipe calls for.
    • Garnishing this cocktail with orange slices and strawberries is optional, but I would recommend it. It makes the cocktail look pretty, and by the time you're finished the cocktail, you'll have wonderful liqueur-soaked fruit to eat!
    • To get the exact measurements and proportions for this cocktail, make it with a shot glass (as shown in the process steps)
    Nutrition Facts
    Americano Cocktail
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 196
    % Daily Value*
    Sodium 23mg1%
    Carbohydrates 17g6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    My name is Pina and I love Italian food and culture! Here you'll find delicious Italian-inspired recipes with a fresh west coast spin. Buon Appetito! About Me

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