Americano

• 1 oz. Martini & Rossi Vermouth
• 1 oz. Campari
• Combine.
• Top with club soda and twist.

I don't know how much truth there is to this, but I'm told this drink is called an Americano because American soldiers in Italy had to add water to what they were served when they ordered coffee during one of the World Wars.

A proper Caffe Americano is made with a shot of espresso poured into about 8 oz. of hot water. If the water is poured over the espresso, it will break up the crema.

Some coffeehouses hold the attitude that watered down espresso is no different from drip coffee. So when you order Caffe Americano in such places, they might just give you your typical, every day cup o' joe.

Beware, some establishments hold that Caffe Americano is made by passing a whole mug full of water through the grounds! This is NOT Caffe Americano, it's Espresso Lungo taken way too far, coffee over extracted to the extreme, very bitter.

Cafe Americano prepared with coffee instead of water is called a Depth Charge and the respectable amount of shots to add to it is typically 3-4. Often prepared with syrups or heavily sugared, may be an east coast thing as I have seen nary a place in California that knew what I was talking about.