Aperitif/Liqueur · Highball · Bittersweet
Americano Recipe
Campari and sweet vermouth topped with soda — the low-proof original the Negroni was built from. Campari's bitter orange bite meets sweet vermouth and a soda top — lighter and lower-proof than a Negroni, built as an easy-drinking aperitivo rather than a stronger pre-dinner spirit.
- Prep Time
- 1.5 min
- Method
- Stirred
- Glass
- Highball glass
- Strength
- Light
Every recipe on Sipped Right is tested for taste and balance before it's published.
Last updated October 20, 2026
About the Americano
The Americano predates the Negroni and is widely considered its direct ancestor — Campari and sweet vermouth topped with soda water instead of gin. It's said to date to the 1860s at Gaspare Campari's own bar in Milan, originally called the Milano-Torino before "Americano" stuck, reportedly after its popularity with American visitors during Prohibition.
Equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth at 1 oz each, topped with soda water to fill the glass, keeps this meaningfully lighter than the Negroni's full 1:1:1 spirit ratio — the soda dilutes rather than a third measured spirit. Add gin instead of soda water and it becomes a Negroni — the Americano is essentially the Negroni's low-proof ancestor.
Ingredients
- Campari1 oz
- Sweet vermouth1 oz
- Soda water2 oz , to top
- Orange slice, for garnish1 slice
Method
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Measure and pour the Campari and sweet vermouth into the glass.
- Top with soda water.
- Stir once gently.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
Glass & Garnish
Highball glass, full of ice. Garnish with an orange slice.
Notes
Equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, topped with soda water — the direct ancestor of the Negroni.
Tools Used
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FAQ
- What's the best vermouth for an Americano?
- A classic Italian sweet vermouth like Carpano Antica or Cinzano Rosso is standard — its rich, slightly bitter sweetness balances Campari without overpowering the soda's lightness.
- Can I make an Americano without soda water?
- Not really — the soda top is what keeps this a light, low-proof aperitivo. Skipping it and adding a spirit like gin instead turns it into a Negroni, a different, stronger drink.
- Does an Americano need an orange slice?
- It's the traditional garnish and echoes the citrus notes already in the Campari and vermouth, though it's easy to serve without one.
- What's the difference between an Americano and a Negroni?
- They share the same Campari-and-sweet-vermouth base — an Americano tops with soda water for a lighter, lower-proof drink, while a Negroni adds gin for a stronger, spirit-forward one.
- What's the origin of the Americano cocktail?
- It's widely considered the Negroni's direct ancestor, dating to the 1860s at Gaspare Campari's own bar in Milan, originally called the Milano-Torino before 'Americano' stuck during its popularity with American visitors.
- How do I scale an Americano up for a party?
- Batch the Campari and sweet vermouth together ahead of time using the servings control above, then top each glass with fresh soda water individually right before serving, so the fizz doesn't go flat.
