The last throws of summer have been unrelentingly hot here, leading us to want something more on the light and refreshing side for our afternoon imbibing. We have don’t a number of spritzes already, including the the Venetian Spritz, the Bitter Intentions and the Negroni Sbagliato, so we decided to go with a classic this time. The Americano, like the Negroni, was born from the Milano-Torino cocktail invented in 1860’s by Campari creator, Gaspare Campari, at his Caffè Campari bar in Milano. The original is just equal parts Campari and Punt e Mes sweet vermouth. Add gin and it’s a negroni; add seltzer and it’s an Americano.
Americano
- 2 oz. Campari
- 2 oz. Sweet Vermouth
- Seltzer
Add the Campari and sweet vermouth to a Collins glass full of crushed ice. Top up with seltzer and garnish with an orange wheel.
Typical of the spritzes, these are light, refreshing and much less boozy than cocktails. Exactly what you are looking for on a hot afternoon of leisurely drinking.
Cin-cin