Stir with ice and strain into a chilled coupe
Boulevardier
Bourbon warmth, bitter orange, and rich sweet vermouth.
Build over cubed ice, add soda, and stir gently
Americano
A low-proof aperitivo built directly over ice, where one splash of soda opens the bittersweet core.
Edited by CocktailSteps Editorial Team
- Time
- 4 minutes
- Level
- Easy
- Glass
- Rocks glass
- Approx. ABV
- 14% · Medium-low
- Tradition
- Italian
- Profile
- Sweet · Bitter · Citrus · Herbal
Ingredient totals
Ingredients
Amounts below make one drink. The method, Quick Check, and guided Make use these one-glass amounts.
1 ozCampariRecommended brandCampari Bitter
1 ozSweet red vermouthRecommended brandCocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino
1 splashSoda waterRecommended brandFever-Tree Premium Club Soda
0.5 slicesOrange sliceOptionalRecommended brandSunkist Navel Orange
1 pieceLemon zestOptionalRecommended brandSunkist Lemon
Measured method · one drink
How to make Americano
These steps make one glass. For more drinks, use the ingredient totals above to set up, then repeat this method for each serving.
- 01
Build equal parts
Cubed ice · 1 oz Campari · 1 oz vermouth
Fill a rocks glass with cubed ice, then add 1 oz Campari and 1 oz sweet red vermouth.
Build equal parts visual check - 02
Add a splash of soda
1 splash soda water
Add 1 splash of soda water, keeping the bubbles lively and the ice in place.
Add a splash of soda visual check - 03
Stir gently
Stir · 5 sec
Stir gently for 5 seconds to combine without flattening the soda water.
Stir gently visual check - 04
Add the orange
½ orange slice
Set ½ fresh orange slice inside the glass beside the ice, if using.
Add the orange visual check - 05
Finish with lemon zest
1 lemon zest
Express 1 lemon zest over the surface and rest it beside the orange, if using.
Finish with lemon zest visual check
Stir gently for 5 seconds to combine without flattening the soda water.
AI-assisted illustration of one step. Follow the measured method above; sound is optional.Key move
Keep Campari and vermouth equal, then open them with only a splash
Technique note
Why this build works
Equal ounces of Campari and sweet red vermouth make a bitter-sweet base without a distilled spirit. Soda loosens that dense mixture and brings its aromas upward with the bubbles. A splash leaves room for preference: begin with a small pour, gently combine, and record the volume you enjoy for the next glass. Orange flesh and lemon oil give different citrus notes, so the two garnishes are not redundant.
Common failure points
- The drink is watery and the bitter finish vanishes.
- Do not fill a large glass to the brim with soda. Begin with a small measured splash over solid ice and add more only after tasting.
- The first sip is almost plain soda and the last is syrupy.
- Guide the spoon to the bottom and lift gently to distribute the Campari and vermouth. Stirring only the surface does not mix the denser base.
Measure or substitute
Sweet red and rosso vermouth describe the same broad style, though brands differ. Dry vermouth is not an equivalent 1-ounce swap because it removes much of the balancing sweetness. Tonic also changes both sweetness and bitterness compared with soda.
Recipe references
These references describe the drink or its ingredients. Our measured build and teaching notes are CocktailSteps adaptations; proportions and methods may differ from the reference.
Set the station
Tools
JiggerRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Japanese Style Jigger
Bar spoonRecommended brandCocktail Kingdom Teardrop Barspoon
Rocks glassRecommended brandRIEDEL Drink Specific Rocks Glass
Choose your bottle
Bottle buying guide
Best fit is our default. Spend less with Smart buy, or choose Upgrade when you want more character.
Campari
Sweet red vermouth
Know the pour
Medium-low
An equal-parts aperitivo and vermouth build lengthened by soda and serving ice.
Contains alcohol. Serve only to adults of legal drinking age and enjoy responsibly.
