Notes:

Tyson Buhler's original riff called for a grapefruit half wheel for garnish. Don't have fresh grapefruit handy? Use a half orange wheel like we did.

We did a side-by-side comparison using Smith & Cross instead of Wray & Nephew with great results. Any funky overproof rum is worth trying as a riff.

For the Grapefruit Soda, we used Q Sparkling Grapefruit - Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit would also be a good option. It will be a much different drink than what we made if you use lighter grapefruit soda like Squirt.

History of the Americano

Contrary to what its name might suggest, the Americano traces its roots back to the late 19th century in Italy, where it gained popularity from American tourists during that time. The name, Italian for "American-style" or "in the American way," echoes back to its beginnings.

The cocktail's origins are often attributed to Gaspare Campari, the founder of the renowned Campari brand when he mixed some sweet vermouth with his signature liqueur, calling it the "Milano-Torino" to pay tribute to the origin of its ingredients: the Campari aperitivo from Milan and the vermouth from Turin. The story goes that American tourists visiting Italy in the late 1860s found the local Italian wines a bit too strong for their taste. In an attempt to dilute the cocktail while still enjoying the Italian drinking experience, they began requesting to have their glasses filled with a splash of water, thus the birth of the Americano. The Americano's recipe eventually evolved to include equal parts Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water, creating the delightful balance of bitter, sweet, and effervescence that we know today.

One of the most notable aspects of the Americano's history is its role in the creation of the iconic Negroni cocktail. Legend has it that Count Camillo Negroni requested his bartender to strengthen his Americano by replacing the soda water with gin. This simple twist gave birth to the Negroni, which became an enduring classic in its own right.