Not to be confused with the morning espresso drink, the Americano cocktail is meant to start your evening. The lightly alcoholic drink is a touch bitter; it whets your appetite and goes wonderfully with little predinner snacks. The formula is simple: a mix of bitter liqueur and fruity fortified wine lightened with sparkling water. Build it right in the glass you plan to drink from, starting with a splash of soda water first—that way, the heavier vermouth and bittersweet Campari don’t just sit on the bottom of the glass.
Carpano Antica Formula is a luscious, vanilla-tinged sweet vermouth that’s easy to like in this low-ABV aperitivo; if you prefer your Americano a bit more bitter and herbal, try it with Punt e Mes. We’re living in a new age of quirky, delicious smaller-batch vermouths (both American and international); your best local wine or spirits shop may have some treasures. A few of my current favorites: Fred Jerbis Vermut, Foro Rosso sweet vermouth, and juicy Cucielo Rosso, which is new to the US. Whatever bottle you open, stash it in the fridge—like wine, it won’t last forever.
A simple orange twist boosts the drink’s aroma, but for a bit more sweetness, you can garnish with an orange slice instead. For a touch of savory flavor, toss in an olive or three.
If the equal-parts nature of the aperitif and vermouth feels familiar, you may notice that switching out the sparkling water here for gin will turn your drink into a negroni. Remove the third wheel altogether, and you’ve got the bold and brassy Milano-Torino.
Got more Campari to use up? Make a Campari Spritz, Negroni Sbagliato, Frozen Garibaldi, or a Siesta; or visit our friends at Epicurious for more Campari cocktail recipes.
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