Easy
Bitter
3 minutes
Highball Glass
Ingredients
How to Make a Americano
Bar tools you’ll need
Jigger
Knife
Bar Spoon
How to Mix
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Fill a Highball Glass with Ice Cubes.
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Pour in Red Italian Bitter Liqueur and Sweet Vermouth.
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Top with Soda Water.
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Stir with a Bar Spoon until chilled.
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Garnish with a Wheel Orange.
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Sip and enjoy!
All about the Americano Cocktail
The Americano is a classic, spirit-forward cocktail built on balance. It brings together Red Italian Bitter Liqueur and Sweet Vermouth, topped with Soda Water, in a Highball Glass over plenty of Ice Cubes, it’s a drink that’s easy to make and even easier to enjoy. The simple prep and staple Ingredients make it reachable for anyone wanting to shake up their at-home bar game. Whether you’re new to Americano recipes or learning to work an Americano with Espresso Machine for Americano Coffee Iced, this is a formula that feels effortless but tastes like you’re somewhere sunny and stylish.
Americano strikes with light, bittersweet, and citrusy notes, where vibrant herbs and gentle sweetness swirl in bubbly balance. Each sip lifts the mood with crisp elegance and finishes clean, never overwhelming.
The most widely accepted legend says the Americano surfaced in Italy in the mid-1800s during the country’s unification, as a bittersweet aperitivo made for Americans seeking lighter drinks. Some legends highlight Turin, others favor Milan-both connect the cocktail to busy café culture and a surge of visitors from across the Atlantic. Over the years, it’s become a staple of Mediterranean social life, marking the start of friendly evenings and big conversations.
- Ice It Right for Crystal Clarity
Use one large King Cube or hand-cut chunk. It melts slower and keeps your Americano fizzy, not watered down. Try freezing filtered water with a citrus twist inside for a slow-release of aroma. - Vermouth Mastery
Choose a Barrel-Aged Sweet Vermouth and chill it before pouring. Cold Vermouth mixes smoother with the Red Italian Bitter Liqueur and Soda. - Soda Precision for Perfect Fizz
Always top with chilled Club Soda and pour it gently down the side. This keeps the bubbles fresh and lifts all those herbal notes. - Stir Like a Pro
Use a Bar Spoon and stir gently from the bottom up. Aim for 10-12 turns to mix without killing the fizz. - Garnish That Pops
Express Orange oils over the top before adding the Orange wheel and try a Lemon half-wheel or a few Green Olives for a unique twist.
- Express The Orange Peel
Hold the Orange wheel over your drink and twist it skin-side down, releasing oils for extra aroma. Drop it in for the classic look and more flavor. - Add A Lemon Half-Wheel
Slip a Lemon Half-Wheel alongside the orange for a sharper citrus hit and a vibrant look. - Try Green Olives
Skewer a few Green Olives and set them across the rim for a savory edge-a fun twist that nods to other Italian cocktails. - Serve In A Chilled Highball
Pop your Highball Glass in the freezer for a few minutes before starting-your Americano cocktails stay cooler, longer.
Americano FAQ
The Americano stands out for its use of both Red Italian Bitter Liqueur and Sweet Vermouth topped with Soda Water, creating a balanced bittersweet flavor and effervescence that’s lighter compared to more spirit-forward cocktails.
Yes, the Americano is very accessible, using only simple steps and a few ingredients. With a Highball Glass, Bar Spoon, and some Ice Cubes, you can whip up an impressive cocktail without advanced skills.
An Americano for Americano Coffee Iced is different from the Americano cocktail, but both drinks show the versatility of the name, connecting Italian tradition and simple build techniques. If you want an iced coffee, use your Espresso Machine; if you want the classic cocktail, follow the traditional recipe.
The Americano brings bittersweet, herbal, and citrus notes that mingle with light, effervescent bubbles, offering a taste that’s both crisp and balanced.
