The Americano is everything we want in a summer aperitif: low in alcohol, high in refreshment, and effortlessly elegant. A predecessor to the Negroni, it swaps gin for sparkling water, transforming that bold, bitter profile into a long, easy-sipping Highball. (The Americano itself evolved from the cocktail Milano-Torino, a simple mix of Campari from Milan and sweet vermouth from Turin, which was popular in Italy in the 1860s. When American tourists began ordering it with a splash of soda water, the drink became known as the Americano.) The pairing of sweet vermouth and Campari brings richness, depth, and just enough bite to make the drink feel composed, without requiring a strong base spirit. An orange half wheel is essential here, not just for aroma but for the subtle citrus notes it imparts as the drink evolves. It’s best enjoyed slowly, with extra cold seltzer close at hand and nothing urgent on your calendar.