Have a drink: the Americano

Most of the attention in the cocktail world goes towards drinks that pack a punch, but low alcohol cocktails are a truly a hidden gem. One of my favorites is the classic Americano—not to be confused with the coffee drink—this bright and refreshing sipper is one of of the best ways to round off an sunny afternoon.

Although bittersweet Campari is the lead in this drink, it's important to use a good vermouth as well. Any sweet vermouth will technically work, but it's worth investing in something with a more interesting flavor. Here I used Cocchi di Torino, a bold vermouth that is complex with notes of red fruits and bitter orange. It's delicious on its own, but it really dances with the Campari in this drink.

Americano Cocktail

1 ½ oz. Campari
1 ½ oz. sweet vermouth
Club soda
Citrus garnish

Pour the Campari and vermouth directly into a glass filled with ice. Top with soda, stir and garnish. A slice of orange is traditional, but I prefer the intense brightness of lemon peel.

Don't forget to refrigerate the vermouth when you're done making your cocktail! Because of its low alcohol content, it's prone to oxidation if left at room temperature. I would buy as small of a bottle as possible (the one pictured is 375 ml), write the date you opened it on the label, pop it in the fridge, and use it within a month or so for the best flavor.

Campari has a higher ABV and will happily live at room temperature, so I like to buy it by the liter and pour into a Manual decanter. The blazing red color looks great on your cocktail tray, and you'll have it at the ready for your next Americano.

Cheers!