• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

  • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizers
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches
      • Drinks/Cocktails
      • Sauces & Dressings
    • Method
      • Crockpot
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot
      • Air Fryer
      • Casseroles
    • Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
      • Italian
      • Mexican
      • European
      • Indian
      • Romanian
      • Mediterranean
      • Middle Eastern
      • American
    • Ingredient
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Beef
      • Seafood
      • Lamb
      • Vegetarian
      • Pasta
      • Spices
    • Holiday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Thanksgiving
      • Game Day
      • Valentine's Day
      • St. Patrick's Day
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Mother's Day
      • Memorial Day
      • Father's Day
      • 4th Of July
      • Labor Day
      • Halloween
    • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • Shop
  • About Jo
FREE recipe eBook!
Search...
All Recipes
Instant Pot
30 Minute
One Pot Meals
Soups
Dips & Dressings
Baking
Pasta
Sandwiches
Sides
Drinks/Cocktails Italian
5 from 4 votes

Americano Cocktail

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru 4 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Americano Cocktail – Sweet vermouth, Campari, soda, and a hint of my own secret ingredient. This cocktail is bright, citrusy, and perfect as a summery treat at the end of the day. Simply mix the ingredients over ice and enjoy!

americano cocktail garnished with blood orange in two glasses

When it comes to an alcohol-forward cocktail, this style is exactly what I’m talking about. Made with citrusy aperitif liqueurs, an alcohol percentage level that I can palate, and a perfect balance of sweet and bitter. This Americano cocktail exactly what I crave when I need a pick-me-up at the end of the day!

I’m a fan of Americanos made with a splash of soda water. It gives your drink some lovely bubbles as well as making it easier to sip and enjoy. Along with my own twist on this classic cocktail, I think these couldn’t have come out better. I have feeling you’ll agree!

What is an Americano cocktail?

No, this isn’t an espresso shot topped off with with hot water. I’m sure that was evident upon seeing the photos! This Italian cocktail in its most basic form is made with just sweet vermouth and Campari. It gained popularity after it was ordered by James Bond in Casino Royale. I mean, who doesn’t want to feel like the world’s most elusive spy?

With time, versions of the Americano cocktail made with soda water were born to give the drink a bit of fizz, and also to help ease the sweet and tart flavor of the vermouth.

ingredients needed to make americano cocktail

Ingredients

  • Sweet vermouth – Such as Cinzano, Martini & Rossi, Carpano, or Dolin.
  • Campari – See below for substitutes.
  • Lemons – For both juice and garnish.
  • Soda water – Or sparkling water.

What is Campari?

This bright red aperitif boasts a bold sweet and bitter flavor. Its popularity and worldwide recognition is thanks to its necessity in both this classic Americano cocktail and the Negroni.

It has a citrusy orange flavor somewhat similar to Aperol. In fact, if you can’t find any Campari or you simply want a lighter fare with a bit lower alcohol percentage, you can use Aperol as a replacement in this recipe. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone!

process shots showing how to make an americano cocktail

How to make an Americano cocktail

  1. Fill a glass with ice and pour in the vermouth, Campari, and lemon juice. Top the glass with soda water and gently stir.
  2. Garnish with lemon or orange slice or twist and enjoy!

I used a blood orange slice since I love its color. I know it’s not used in a traditional Americano, but it made all the difference here. It adds a really nice fresh flavor to the drink that I think you’ll love!

overhead shot of americano cocktail in two glasses

How to serve an Americano

While traditionally served in a highball or rocks glass, you can drink it out of any receptacle you have! Enjoy it out of a king’s chalice, sip it out of your favorite coffee mug. You’ll enjoy it regardless.

For food pairings, this bright and citrusy drink is lovely with seafood. Try it with these easy recipes:

  • Lemon Dill Pan Fried Salmon
  • Honey Soy Shrimp
  • Cilantro Lime Salmon
  • Sole Meuniere
  • Shrimp Scampi
  • Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon
americano cocktail in two glasses garnished with blood orange

Ready to harness your inner bartender? Try these simple homemade cocktails:

  • Manhattan Drink
  • Negroni
  • Pomegranate Cider Mimosas
  • Aperol Spritz
  • Whiskey Sour
  • Cosmopolitan Cocktail
  • Mojito Recipe

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

two americano cocktails in short classes, garnished with blood oranges
Print
5 from 4 votes

Americano Cocktail

Prep 5 minutes
Cook 0 minutes
Total 5 minutes
Rate Recipe
Americano Cocktail – Sweet vermouth, Campari, soda, and a hint of my own secret ingredient. This cocktail is bright, citrusy, and perfect as a summery treat at the end of the day. Simply mix the ingredients over ice and enjoy!
1

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounce vermouth (such as Cinzano)
  • 1 1/2 ounce Campari
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 ounce club soda
  • ice

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Fill a glass with ice and pour in the vermouth, Campari, and lemon juice. Top the glass with soda water and gently stir.
  • Garnish with lemon or orange slice or twist and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 149kcal (7%)Carbohydrates: 13g (4%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 1g (2%)Sodium: 6mgSugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin C: 2mg (2%)
© Author Jo

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

two americano cocktails in short classes, garnished with blood oranges

Did You Make This?

We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram at @jocooks or hashtag #jocooks so we can see your creations!

Rate Recipe
Add Your Photo!
  • 99
Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
iPad showing title of ebook 30 recipes from around the world
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Jeanne Collard
Jeanne Collard
Posted: 2 years ago

5 stars
My husband and father-in-law loved the bitterness of this drink – and how easy it is to prepare!

0
Reply
Lizzie in Los Angeles
Lizzie in Los Angeles
Posted: 11 years ago

5 stars
Woo-hoo this looks so pretty. May need to whip up a couple of these this evening.

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Lizzie in Los Angeles
Posted: 11 years ago

Good thing it’s Friday!

0
Reply
Dave at eRecipeCards
Dave at eRecipeCards
Posted: 11 years ago

5 stars
That is just beautiful!!!

I had a bit of a bender last night (started with beer, ended with wine… always a mistake), so i can not really appreciate the imagined taste (right now, it is imagined as tasting like stomach bile)… But honestly, tomorrow afternoon I am thinking this will sound great!

So, if we do stupid things, why are they called adult beverages???

0
Reply

sidebar

Headshot of Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
Collage of recipe ebooks
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

Pasta Favorites

baked mac and cheese in a black cast iron skillet.
45 mins

Baked Mac And Cheese

freshly made crack chicken penne with a wooden spoon in a skillet.
40 mins

Crack Chicken Penne

chicken pot pie pasta in a white serving bowl with a wooden serving spoon.
50 mins

Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

freshly made one pot pasta in a dutch oven.
20 mins

One Pot Pasta

tomato spinach chicken pasta in a white bowl.
30 mins

Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.
30 mins

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

baked feta pasta in a white bowl garnished with fresh basil.
50 mins

Baked Feta Pasta (Tik Tok Pasta)

sideview shot of chicken fajita pasta in a white bowl with a fork inside
45 mins

Chicken Fajita Pasta

side close up shot of swedish meatball pasta in a beige braised garnished with parsley
30 mins

Swedish Meatball Pasta

overhead shot of a bowl of haluski
40 mins

Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles)

A stack of cookbooks
Grab a copy!

My Cookbooks

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Dinner Favorites

smothered pork chops in a skillet garnished with parsley.
1 hr 15 mins

Smothered Pork Chops

a wooden spoon lifting a salisbury steak out of the skillet
30 mins

Salisbury Steak

beef lo mein in a black wok.
30 mins

Beef Lo Mein

side shot of beef and broccoli in a skillet
15 mins

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

shepherd's pie in a skillet with a serving taken out of it.
1 hr 25 mins

Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

a serving spoon inside a skillet with chicken broccoli rice casserole.
30 mins

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

side view shot of two italian stuffed peppers in a bowl
2 hrs 30 mins

Italian Stuffed Peppers

side view shot of a bowl with a scoop of spaghetti bolognese in it
40 mins

Spaghetti Bolognese

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok
Visit our Other Site: Craving Home Cooked

Explore

Recipes
Cookbooks
About Jo
Contact

Legal

Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
© 2023 Jo Cooks
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
wpDiscuz