The caffeine hit we didn’t know the Americano needed (until now).
About the cocktail
Ingredients
30mL espresso, strong plunger or filter coffee 30mL Antica or other heavy sweet vermouth 20mL Averna 10mL sugar syrup 30mL soda water Glass: latte or tumbler Garnish: lemon and orange wheels
Method
Pop your glass in the freezer for about 30 minutes until frosty Build all ingredients in the frozen glass Add ice and stir from the bottom to top Garnish with the lemon and orange wheels
Dan’s top tips
While the Americano calls for some classic ingredients you might already know and love, the Siciliano gets its punchy profile courtesy of a few lesser-known liqueurs. First up is Averna, an amaro, a type of bittersweet Italian liqueur, that brings a deeper, herbal, slightly citrusy flavour, subbing in for Campari. If you can’t get Averna, other amari should work in a pinch – so go with your favourite if you have one. The other switch-out from the Americano is Antica Formula, a classic Italian sweet vermouth that’s one of our favourites – and a great addition to a classic Negroni, too. There’s a richness and complexity to Antica that works perfectly alongside the bitter coffee, but any sweet (‘rosso’) vermouth will do fine. Speaking of coffee – since you want a small amount (30mL) of strong coffee, espresso is your best option. That said, strong plunger or filter coffee will work well, too, especially darker roasts.
What does the Siciliano cocktail taste like?
A Siciliano cocktail tastes like coffee, with a slightly sweet, citrusy and herbal edge.
What's the best type of coffee to use in the Siciliano?
Espresso coffee is ideal for a Siciliano because of its concentrated flavour, but a strong brew of plunger or filter coffee will work nicely.
- What are Averna and Antica?
Averna is an amaro, which is a type of herbal, bittersweet liqueur that originated in Italy. Antica is a vermouth – specifically, a sweet red style.
