Americano Cocktail: A Low Proof Italian Refresher

Before there was the negroni, before there was the boulevardier, there was the original Italian Campari cocktail: the Americano.

The Americano has been around since the 1860s, and to this day you’ll find people sipping them in European cafes on sunny afternoons alongside the Aperol Spritz. Ah, the days of travel. How I miss thee. I’m sure I’ll get to visit Europe, or anywhere for that matter, at some point in the future again. Right? RIGHT??

I digress.

I love the Americano Cocktail for a few reasons. One, is the fact that it’s relatively low ABV. Sometimes going straight for a negroni during happy hour  is a recipe for a disaster. One thing leads to another and a couple hours later all of your productive evening plans are no more.

However, with an Americano you can get much of the same experience in the way of flavors. And you get this with a drink that’s less boozy, yet just as intriguing.

The second reason I like the Americano so much is the fact that it’s so easy to make. You can make one in less than 2 minutes and be on your way.

Even the easiest of classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or a Manhattan are going to take longer than that.

So with this drink you get the ease of a highball, but the taste and complexity of something more difficult to make.

And to be able to have this in a drink you’re able to sip and savor and not get wasted on? That’s a win in my book.

How to Make an Americano Cocktail

So, you want to know how to make it? Buckle up, you’re in for a doozy…(sense the sarcasm).

Simply take 1.5oz of Campari and add to a Collins Glass

Take 1.5oz of good sweet vermouth, also add to glass.

Add ice.

Top with Club Soda.

Stir.

There you go, Americano.

Even easier than you were expecting, wasn’t it?

You can also play with the ratios to your liking here. If you want a super low proof cocktail, go .75oz of each and adjust the amount of Club soda to taste.

I think with cocktails it’s important to have a wide array of options at your disposal for different situations. Hosting a group of friends on the deck in the midst of summer? Daiquiri.

Need a late night, after dinner digestif? The Artsy Bird.

And if you want to drink, but still want to be able to get stuff done during the rest of the day? You can do a lot worse than an Americano.