How could I not love a drink called Americano? Don’t be fooled by the name however, this historic Italian cocktail is made from 100% Italian ingredients. I took a long (seemingly endless) break from cocktails due to my pregnancy and breastfeeding, but I was happily reunited with this old favorite at Martini’s 150th birthday party last week. It was like rekindling an old flame, and the setting was ripe for romance. The stunning Villa Erba on Lake Como was adorned with mood-lighting, live music, a red carpet and celebrities dressed to the nines. At some point in the evening I suddenly found myself face to face with an Americano. I looked him up and down and whispered “Don’t I know you from somewhere?” He cunningly declined to respond, but as I brought him to my lips the memories came flooding back and I couldn’t stop myself. It all felt much less romantic at 6:30 the next morning when my baby was wailing from her crib and my head was exploding, but that’s another, much less entertaining, story. But no matter how much I curse his name afterwards, we both know I’ll always be back for more.
So in honor of Martini’s big birthday, here is the one and only, 100% Italian, Americano cocktail.
Americano
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz Maritini Rosso (sweet/red vermouth)
- splash of soda
- half an orange slice
Fill a tumbler with ice and stir to chill the glass. Pour out any water from melted ice, then pour the Campari and vermouth over ice into glass. Add a splash of soda water and garnish with half orange slice.
