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Americano

The Americano is the quintessential Italian aperitivo. When it was first created at Gaspare Campari’s bar in Milan in the 1860s, it was named Milano-Torino for its two main ingredients: Campari from Milan and Cinzano from Turin. The drink quickly became popular as an afternoon quencher at outdoor caffès in the Italian piazzas. The name changed during Prohibition due to the mass of thirsty American tourists who fell in love with it. Some fifty years later, this drink would inspire one of the most fantastic aperitifs ever: the Negroni (page 42). It is little noted that the Americano is the first cocktail that James Bond orders in Ian Fleming’s first novel Casino Royale, long before he orders a Martini.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 drink

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Campari
1 1/2 ounces Dolin Rouge sweet vermouth
1 orange half-wheel
3 ounces chilled club soda

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pour the Campari and vermouth into a Collins glass. Add large cold ice cubes and the orange half-wheel. Cover the glass with a small shaker and shake gently. Top off with the club soda.

  2. tasting notes

    Step 2

    Dominant Flavors: bitter fruits and subtle spices

    Step 3

    Body: light, effervescent

    Step 4

    Dryness: dry

    Step 5

    Complexity: medium

    Step 6

    Accentuating or Contrasting Flavors: surprising sweetness contrasting bitter flavors with undertones of herbs and botanicals

    Step 7

    Finish: medium, bittersweet

  3. Step 8

    Glass: Collins

Cover of Speakeasy by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric featuring a coupe glass with a brown cocktail and lemon wheel garnish.
Reprinted with permission from Speakeasy: The Employees Only Guide to Classic Cocktails Reimagined by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric, © 2010 Ten Speed Press. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.
TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesCampariAmaroLiqueurVermouthEasyQuick5 Ingredients or FewerCookbooks
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