People are sometimes curious to know how French people treat me, assuming that they’re not nice to me because I’m from the United States. France and America have deep roots together: Thomas Jefferson helped General Lafayette write the Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen (the French Bill of Rights), and Lafayette fought alongside the American colonists to gain our independence from Britain. Like any long-term relationship, we occasionally have our differences, but we survive our ups and downs and remain allies.
The Americano mirrors our countries’ friendship and highlights their differences. An equanimous hint of sweetness in the vermouth tempers any mild bouts of bitterness, and a pour of unbiased bubbles pleases all parties involved.
Directions
- In a short tumbler or rocks glass, mix the Campari and sweet vermouth. Add the sparkling water (you can add more, depending on how mild you want the drink), stir briefly, then add a small handful of ice. Garnish with the orange twist.
Reprinted with permission from Drinking French: The Iconic Cocktails, Aperitifs, and Café Traditions of France, with 160 recipes by David Lebovitz © 2020. Photographs © 2020 by Ed Anderson. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
