Milano Torino Cocktail

Looking for a simple, yet sophisticated 2-ingredient cocktail? Then the Milano Torino (Mi-To) is for you! Made with Campari and sweet vermouth, and perfect for sipping!

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Why drink a Milano Torino cocktail? Because it's so pretty! Because it's perfectly balanced. Because it only has two ingredients!

The history of the Milano Torino (also called a Mi-To) goes back to the Caffé Camparino in Milan in the 1860s. The drink is named for the two cities of origin of its ingredients: Campari from Milan and vermouth from Turin.

If the makeup of a Milano Torino cocktail seems familiar to you, that's because it's the starting point for two other popular drinks. Add soda water and it becomes an Americano, add gin and it becomes the famous Negroni.

Jump to:

• Ingredients you'll need
• How to make a Milano Torino cocktail
• It's a low calorie and low alcohol cocktail
• What does a Milano Torino taste like?
• Recommended tools and equipment
• More cocktail recipes with Campari
• Try a Milano Torino cocktail when you want a simple, refreshing drink!
• Recipe

Ingredients you'll need

• Campari: If you know me at all, you know Campari is one of my favorite cocktail ingredients. It's got a wonderful bitter flavor, perfect for aperitifs.
• Sweet Vermouth: You can try a classic vermouth brand here, like Dolin, or find a boutique or local brand. Have fun with it.
• Orange slices: For garnish. Orange is a very nice complement to the Campari.

How to make a Milano Torino cocktail

Step 1: Slice your oranges

You can use an orange slice in a half-moon shape or a wedge of orange. Whatever suits your fancy.

Step 2: Mix up the drink

Pour the Campari and the vermouth into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Stir to chill. Then strain over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with the orange slice.

PRO TIP There's no need to shake this drink. A Milano Torino has no juice, so traditionally it should be stirred to chill it.

It's a low calorie and low alcohol cocktail

A Milano Torino cocktail only has about 150 calories, so there's no need to feel guilty when imbibing. At 16.95% ABV (alcohol by volume), it's a drink with a pretty low alcohol content. For comparison, wine averages about 12%, but spirits like whiskey, gin, and tequila can average 40% ABV or higher.

What does a Milano Torino taste like?

A Milano Torino is a drink that is perfectly balanced between bitter and sweet. The Campari brings bitter notes and citrus undertones, the vermouth provides sweetness and earthiness to smooth things out.

Recommended tools and equipment

• Cocktail shaker: Even though you don't shake a Milano Torino, making it in a cocktail shaker with a built-in strainer makes things easy. If you don't have one, you can stir it in a pint glass then pour through a fine mesh seive into the serving glass.
• Rocks glasses: Look for smaller ones, the Mi-To is a short drink.
• Paring knife and cutting board: To slice the oranges for garnish.

More cocktail recipes with Campari

• A Rosita Cocktail is one of my favorite (and a lesser-known) Negroni variations, made with tequila and a combo of sweet and dry vermouth. Make one and surprise all of your friends.
• Try a Jasmine Cocktail for a refreshing blend of lemon juice, orange liqueur and Campari. It's also a beautiful color.

Try a Milano Torino cocktail when you want a simple, refreshing drink!

• Only 2 ingredients!
• It's a refreshing aperitif, so drink one before a meal.
• A Milano Torino cocktail is relatively low in alcohol, so you can enjoy one responsibly.
• Once you learn to make this drink, you can try endless variations by incorporating additional ingredients to make a Negroni, an Americano, etc.

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Recipe