Beericano deserves a place on the summer cocktail list
Italy’s aperitivo culture has always been about more than simply having a drink. It is a ritual—a moment in the late afternoon or early evening to slow down, socialize, enjoy a few small bites, and ease gracefully into dinner.
While the Negroni, Aperol Spritz, and Americano may be among Italy’s most recognizable aperitivo cocktails, there is another intriguing drink worth discovering: the Beericano.
Refreshing, pleasantly bitter, and surprisingly easy to drink, the Beericano takes inspiration from the classic Italian Americano cocktail and gives it a modern twist by replacing the traditional splash of soda water with beer.
The result is a cocktail that feels unmistakably Italian yet refreshingly contemporary.
What Is a Beericano?
The Beericano is essentially a beer-enhanced interpretation of the Americano, the celebrated Italian aperitivo made with equal parts Campari and sweet red vermouth, traditionally finished with soda water.
In a Beericano, beer takes the place of—or becomes the dominant sparkling component instead of soda.
That seemingly simple substitution changes the character of the cocktail considerably.
The bitterness of Campari meets the herbal sweetness and complexity of Italian vermouth, while the beer introduces carbonation, malt, hops, and a crisp finish. The result lands somewhere between an Italian aperitivo cocktail and an exceptionally sophisticated beer drink.
It is bitter without being overwhelming, refreshing without being overly sweet, and complex enough to encourage slow sipping.
Inspired by the Classic Americano
To appreciate the Beericano, it helps to understand the cocktail that inspired it.
The Americano traces its roots to Italy and the late 19th century. Originally associated with the Milano-Torino—a combination of bitter liqueur from Milan and vermouth from Turin—the drink evolved with the addition of soda water. That lighter variation became known as the Americano.
Its combination of Campari, sweet vermouth, and sparkling water eventually became one of the great classics of Italian aperitivo culture. It also provided the foundation for another legendary Italian cocktail: the Negroni, which replaces soda with gin.
The Beericano follows the same spirit of experimentation. Instead of making the Americano stronger, however, beer gives it another layer of refreshing complexity.
How to Make a Beericano
One of the pleasures of the Beericano is its simplicity. You do not need elaborate equipment or complicated techniques.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz Italian sweet vermouth
- 3–4 oz chilled beer
- Orange slice or orange peel
- Ice
Preparation
Fill a large rocks glass or wine glass with ice.
Pour in the Campari and sweet vermouth and stir briefly to combine and chill.
Slowly top with cold beer, pouring gently to preserve the carbonation without creating too much foam.
Give the cocktail a very gentle stir and garnish with a fresh orange slice or expressed orange peel.
Serve immediately.
Choosing the Right Beer
Beer selection can dramatically change the personality of a Beericano.
A crisp Italian lager or pilsner is an excellent starting point. I’d recommend a Peroni. Its clean flavor and refreshing carbonation allow the Campari and vermouth to remain at the center of the drink.
A pale ale can create a more assertive cocktail, with additional hop bitterness complementing Campari’s distinctive bitter-orange character.
Wheat beers can make the drink softer and slightly fruitier, while particularly hoppy IPAs should be approached carefully. Too much bitterness can compete with rather than complement the Campari.
For an Italian-inspired experience, a light, refreshing lager generally produces the most balanced result. Thus why Peroni is perfect.
Why the Beericano Works
At first, Campari, vermouth, and beer might sound like an unusual combination. In the glass, however, the ingredients have more in common than you might expect.
Campari contributes bitter citrus and herbal notes. Sweet vermouth adds herbs, spices, sweetness, and depth. Beer contributes grain, hops, bubbles, and refreshment.
The orange garnish brings everything together with a burst of aromatic citrus.
It is a wonderful example of balance—the same principle behind so many great Italian cocktails.
The Beericano also has another appealing characteristic: it is generally lighter in alcohol than many spirit-forward cocktails. That makes it particularly well suited to the leisurely nature of aperitivo, when the objective is not simply drinking but enjoying conversation, food, and atmosphere.
What to Serve with a Beericano
Like most aperitivo drinks, the Beericano becomes even better alongside something to eat.
Serve it with a simple Italian aperitivo spread featuring Castelvetrano olives, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salumi, focaccia, taralli, roasted nuts, bruschetta, or potato chips.
The cocktail’s bitterness and carbonation are especially effective alongside salty and savory foods. Rich cheeses and cured meats provide contrast, while the bubbles refresh the palate between bites.
For summer entertaining, try serving Beericanos alongside grilled vegetables, crostini topped with tomatoes and basil, or a selection of Italian cheeses.
A Cocktail Made for Italian-Style Summer Evenings
There is something particularly appealing about the Beericano during the warmer months.
Imagine a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean as the late-afternoon sun begins to soften. A bowl of olives sits on the table, dinner is still an hour away, and condensation gathers on a chilled glass filled with ice, brilliant red Campari, vermouth, beer, and a slice of orange.
That is precisely the environment in which this cocktail makes sense.
The Beericano isn’t overly formal or complicated. It embodies the relaxed elegance that makes Italian aperitivo culture so appealing: good ingredients, simple preparation, good company, and time to enjoy them.
Give Your Aperitivo a Beericano Twist
For anyone who enjoys the bitterness of a Negroni or Americano but wants something lighter and especially refreshing, the Beericano deserves a place on the summer cocktail list.
It respects the essential character of the Italian aperitivo while adding an unexpected ingredient that makes the familiar taste new again.
Serve it cold, accompany it with a few Italian snacks, and don’t rush.
After all, the best part of aperitivo isn’t necessarily what is in the glass.
It’s the Italian art of taking the time to enjoy it.
Salute!