The Americano

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/11/24
Tested by
Sean Michael Johnson
Photo of Sean Michael Johnson
Tested by Sean Michael Johnson
Sean is an award-winning bartender with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the head bartender at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Gabriel Kreuther, crafting cocktail menus that have caught international attention. To date, he has made over 1 million cocktails, and counting.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The Americano is a gentle introduction to the unique and bitter taste of Campari. It is a fascinating drink with a long and rich history, and it was the first cocktail mentioned in the James Bond novels. This is an iconic and delightful aperitif that you can enjoy before any meal.

The cocktail recipe itself is extremely simple: Equal parts of Campari and sweet vermouth are poured over ice and topped with soda. It's about as refreshing as a Campari cocktail can get, and the bittersweet taste will delight your palate. That is not to say that the Americano is for everyone. The flavor profile is decidedly Campari, which is bitter and not in line with the inherent tastes of many Americans. Yet, if you can give it a chance and train your palate to enjoy Campari, the Americano will soon become a favorite.

Americano cocktail recipe in a glass with a lemon wedge

The Spruce Eats
What You'll Need to Make The Americano Cocktail Recipe
A Great Cocktail Jigger
A Sharp Paring Knife
A Classic Old Fashioned Glass

"The Americano cocktail is one of the reasons for Campari’s sustained success. It is the perfect vehicle for the red bitter aperitif. This recipe correctly displays the foundations of the low ABV libation. Equal parts, build, top with soda water. Simplicity itself." —Sean Johnson

Americano cocktail recipe in a glass with a lemon wedge
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for the Americano cocktail recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats

  2. Pour the Campari and vermouth into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes.

    Campari and vermouth poured over ice

    The Spruce Eats

  3. Top with the soda.

    Soda water added to Americano cocktail

    The Spruce Eats

  4. Garnish with a lemon or orange slice or twist. Serve and enjoy.

    The Americano cocktail garnished with lemon

    The Spruce Eats

Tips

  • Pour a quality clear soda water without sweeteners or extra flavors. Club soda is the most popular option, though seltzer and mineral water make fine Americanos as well.
  • Ensure your sweet vermouth is fresh. The fortified wine does not have the long shelf life of distilled spirits and will go stale just three months after the bottle is opened.
  • Switch to a highball glass and add more soda for a tall thirst quencher.

When Was the Americano Invented?

A classic cocktail, the Americano was first served in the 1860s at Gaspare Campari's bar in Milan, Italy. It was originally named "Milano-Torino" because of the origins of its two primary ingredients: Campari calls Milan home and the sweet vermouth was made in the style of Torino, Italy. The cocktail was later renamed because of its popularity among American tourists around the turn of the 20th century and prior to Prohibition.

What's the Difference Between the Americano and Negroni?

Campari is best-known for two famous cocktails: the Americano and Negroni. Both drinks use equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, but the Negroni does not include soda, opting for an equal measure of gin instead. The Americano actually spurred the creation of the Negroni in the 1920s. It's said that Count Camillo Negroni ordered "an Americano with gin" while at a cafe in Florence, Italy. It's unclear if that story is true, however.

James Bond and the Americano

It seems that Ian Fleming also had a fascination with the Americano. This is the first cocktail ordered by James Bond in "Casino Royale," Fleming's first 007 spy novel. However, the Vesper martini (or the manner in which it was ordered) overshadowed the Americano in the books and movies.

The Americano did make a few appearances in the series. In the short story, "A View to a Kill," Fleming explains where Bond thinks it appropriate to enjoy an Americano. He writes that "One cannot seriously drink in French cafes" and that gin, whiskey, and vodka have no place on sunny sidewalks. In this venue, "Bond always had the same thing—an Americano."

How Strong Is the Americano?

You can, of course, top the Americano with as much soda water as you like, and this will affect the strength of the cocktail. As an estimate, if the total volume is around 5 ounces, this Campari cocktail weighs in at a gentle 9 percent ABV (18 proof).

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
385 Calories
2g Fat
81g Carbs
7g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 385
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 26mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 81g 29%
Dietary Fiber 19g 67%
Total Sugars 32g
Protein 7g
Vitamin C 356mg 1,781%
Calcium 198mg 15%
Iron 4mg 23%
Potassium 970mg 21%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Article Sources
The Spruce Eats uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Regan, G. The Negroni, Drinking to la Dolce Vita, with Recipes and Lore. 2015.