Americano Recipe

Prepare glass

Select an old-fashioned (rocks) glass. Fill it with 4 large ice cubes to chill while you measure the spirits.

Measure spirits

Using a jigger, pour 1 oz Campari and 1 oz sweet vermouth into a mixing glass or directly into the chilled rocks glass if you prefer a build-in-glass method.

Build the drink

If using a mixing glass: add the measured Campari and vermouth over fresh ice in the mixing glass and stir gently for 10–15 seconds to chill and lightly dilute. Strain into the prepared rocks glass over the ice. If building directly in the rocks glass: dump the ice from the glass, add fresh ice, pour Campari and vermouth over the ice, and gently stir once or twice.

Top with soda

Carefully top with approximately 2 oz chilled soda water (about a 1:2 ratio of spirits to soda by volume) so the soda floats and preserves a slight effervescence. Pour slowly over the back of a bar spoon or down the ice to keep bubbles lively.

Garnish and finish

Express an orange peel over the surface by holding it skin-side down 2–3 inches above the glass and giving it a quick twist to spray oils onto the drink. Rub the peel rim on the glass edge and drop it into the drink (or use a slice of orange). Serve immediately.

For a slightly lighter Americano, increase soda to 3–4 oz. For a more aromatic touch, substitute the orange peel with a lemon twist or add a thin orange wheel on the rim.