Americano Sbagliato

The Americano Sbagliato is a delightful and effervescent cocktail that builds upon its classic namesake. It maintains the iconic bittersweet partnership of Campari and sweet vermouth but elevates it by swapping out the standard soda water for sparkling wine, typically Prosecco. This substitution lends the drink a brighter, fruitier, and more complex character with a fine bubbly texture. It's an effortlessly elegant aperitif that is both simple to make and sophisticated to sip.
Americano Sbagliato

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Americano Sbagliato is classified as an aperitif cocktail, perfect for stimulating the appetite before a meal. It belongs to the "Sbagliato" family of drinks, characterized by the use of sparkling wine, and is a direct variation of the classic Americano. Its refreshing and relatively low-alcohol nature makes it a popular choice in the spritz category as well.

Serving

Serve this cold, bubbly drink in a rocks or Old Fashioned glass filled with ice for a classic presentation. Its moderate alcohol content makes it an excellent and approachable sessionable aperitif.
Serving size
Approximately 150-180 ml (5-6 oz)
Alcohol content
Approximately 10-13% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks Glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

While the Negroni Sbagliato has a famous (if possibly apocryphal) origin story from Bar Basso in Milan, the Americano Sbagliato is more of a logical evolution. As the "Sbagliato" style gained popularity, bartenders and home enthusiasts naturally applied the same "mistake" to the Americano, the direct predecessor of the Negroni. It's less a single invention and more a widespread, intuitive variation that emerged from Italy's vibrant aperitivo culture.
Origin
Italy, likely emerging in the late 20th century after the popularization of the Negroni Sbagliato. It follows the Italian tradition of aperitivo cocktails designed to be enjoyed before dinner.

Americano Sbagliato

"Sbagliato" translates to "mistaken" or "bungled" in Italian, referencing the story of the Negroni Sbagliato where a bartender mistakenly grabbed Prosecco instead of gin. The name "Americano Sbagliato" logically extends this concept to the Americano cocktail, where Prosecco replaces the traditional soda water. "Mistaken Americano" is a direct translation of this concept.
Original name
Americano Sbagliato
Alternative names
  • Mistaken Americano
  • Americano with Prosecco

Characteristics overview

This drink presents a beautiful ruby color with a lively effervescence, offering a bittersweet flavor profile balanced by citrus and herbal notes. The aroma is a pleasant mix of orange and wine, leading to a light, crisp texture and a clean, refreshing finish.
Flavor
Bittersweet, Citrusy, Herbal, Crisp, Fruity
Aroma
Orange Peel, Grapes, Bitter Herbs, Sweet Wine
Taste balance
Bitter, Sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, Lingering Bitterness, Slightly Sweet
Fizziness
Bubbly, Effervescent
Color appearance
Deep Ruby, Garnet, Clear, Bubbly
Texture
Light-bodied, Crisp, Sparkling
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, Year-round Aperitif

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, led by a distinct bitterness and a gentle fruitiness from the wine and vermouth. It is not overly sweet or alcoholic, with a high level of carbonation that keeps it light and refreshing.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You'll need three core Italian spirits: the bitter Campari, a rich sweet vermouth, and a bottle of chilled, dry Prosecco. The equal parts ratio of Campari and vermouth is topped with a generous pour of the sparkling wine.
  • Campari30 ml / 1 oz
    The essential bitter component of the drink.
  • Sweet Vermouth30 ml / 1 oz
    Use a quality Italian-style vermouth like Carpano Antica or Cocchi di Torino for best results.
  • Prosecco90 ml / 3 oz, or to top
    Chilled. A dry (Brut) Prosecco works best to balance the sweetness of the vermouth.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

This is a built drink, so no shaker is required. All you need is a jigger for accurate measurements and a bar spoon to gently combine the ingredients in the glass.
  • Bar Spoon for gentle stirring
  • Jigger for measuring

Instructions

This cocktail is built directly in the serving glass. Simply add ice, pour in the Campari and vermouth, top with Prosecco, and give a gentle stir before garnishing with orange.
1. Fill a rocks or Old Fashioned glass with cubed ice.
2. Pour in the Campari and sweet vermouth.
3. Gently stir the two ingredients to combine and chill them.
4. Top the glass with chilled Prosecco.
5. Give one final, very gentle stir to integrate the Prosecco without losing carbonation.
6. Garnish with a fresh orange slice or an expressed orange peel.

Garnishing

A simple orange garnish is all that's needed to complement the drink's flavors. A fresh orange slice or an expressed orange twist will add a bright citrus aroma and visual appeal.
  • Orange Slice or Twist. A half-wheel slice can be placed directly in the drink, or a twist can be expressed over the top and dropped in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. However, it is not considered vegan as Campari's coloring process has historically been debated, and some vermouths may use animal-derived fining agents.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-calorie cocktail, though most of its calories come from carbohydrates and sugar present in the vermouth, Campari, and Prosecco.
Calories
Averagely 140-160 kcal (585-670 kJ)
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 12-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 12-15 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfectly suited for pre-dinner gatherings or any classic aperitivo occasion. Its light and refreshing nature also makes it ideal for warm weather, brunches, and casual happy hours.
  • Aperitivo Hour
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Summer Patio Sipping
  • Brunch
  • Happy Hour

Pairing suggestions

The bittersweet profile of the Americano Sbagliato pairs wonderfully with classic Italian aperitivo snacks. Salty foods like olives, cured meats, and hard cheeses provide a perfect contrast to the drink's character, cleansing the palate between bites.
  • Salty Snacks (Olives, Potato Chips)
  • Cured Meats (Prosciutto, Salami)
  • Hard Cheeses (Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino)
  • Bruschetta with tomatoes

Americano Sbagliato: The Bubbly, Mistaken Aperitif

The Americano Sbagliato is an elegant, refreshing, and incredibly simple-to-make aperitif. By replacing the soda water of a standard Americano with Prosecco, it gains a festive effervescence and a layer of fruity complexity. Its balanced bittersweet flavor and moderate alcohol content make it an ideal choice to begin an evening, stimulate the palate, and enjoy with light snacks. It's a testament to the brilliance of Italian cocktail culture, where simple, high-quality ingredients create a truly sophisticated experience.

Similar Cocktails

Americano

The original version uses soda water instead of Prosecco, making it less alcoholic and slightly more mineralic.

Negroni Sbagliato

This is the more famous "mistaken" cocktail. The difference is that a Negroni Sbagliato is based on the Negroni (gin, Campari, vermouth), whereas this is based on the Americano (soda, Campari, vermouth).

Aperol Spritz

Another iconic Italian spritz, but it uses Aperol instead of Campari and sweet vermouth, making it less bitter and more orange-forward.

You May Also Like

Goombay Smash

A sweet, fruity, and potent rum punch from the Bahamas, combining coconut rum, dark rum, pineapple juice, and orange juice.

Vodka Tonic

A brilliantly simple and refreshing highball cocktail combining the clean taste of vodka with the crisp, bittersweet flavor of tonic water.

Select Spritz

A refreshing, bittersweet Italian aperitivo cocktail from Venice, made with Select Aperitivo, prosecco, and soda water.

Mezcal Sazerac

A smoky and complex twist on the classic New Orleans Sazerac, substituting traditional rye whiskey with the earthy character of mezcal.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Horsefeather

A spicy and refreshing highball made with rye whiskey, ginger beer, and aromatic bitters.

Zizz Cocktail

A delightful and obscure classic from the Savoy Cocktail Book, balancing gin's botanicals with sweet apricot and tangy citrus.

Corpse Reviver No. 1

A rich, aromatic, and spirit-forward cocktail combining Cognac, Calvados, and sweet vermouth for a complex, fruity, and herbal profile.

Scotch Rickey

A crisp, dry, and wonderfully refreshing highball featuring Scotch whisky, fresh lime juice, and sparkling soda water.