Cocchi Americano

Cocchi are the number one name in Vermouth, and the Americano is the base for the famous Americano spritz, which is the ultimate summer drink of Vermouth and tonic. This is absolutely essential to try once in your life and experience true Italian Aperitivo.

It was created by Giulio Cocchi, a renowned Italian distiller, in 1891 in the town of Asti, located in the Piedmont region of Italy. The name “Americano” reflects its original recipe, which was inspired by the American taste for slightly bitter, fortified wines.

Cocchi Americano is made from a base of white wine, which is fortified with the addition of alcohol and infused with a mixture of various herbs, spices, and botanicals. The specific blend of ingredients is a closely guarded secret, but it typically includes gentian root, cinchona bark, citrus peels, and other aromatic plants.

One of the key components in the formulation of Cocchi Americano is cinchona bark, which contains quinine. Quinine is a bitter compound that gives the wine its characteristic bitterness. Traditionally, quinine was used as a treatment for malaria, and it was this medicinal quality that led to the popularity of quinquina-style aperitifs like Cocchi Americano.

Cocchi Americano is characterised by its pale golden colour and complex flavour profile. It offers a delightful combination of sweet, bitter, and herbal notes, making it a refreshing and sophisticated aperitif. The moderate alcohol content and pronounced bitterness make it an excellent choice for cocktails, such as the classic “Americano” cocktail (a mixture of Cocchi Americano, Campari, and soda water) or the famous “Negroni” (a blend of Cocchi Americano, gin, and Campari).