Milano Torino (Mi-To)
A bitter and herbal cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 16% ABV ∙
The Milano Torino (Mi-To) is a two-ingredient Italian aperitivo of equal parts red bitter and sweet vermouth, stirred and served over ice.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Red bitter 45 mlRosso vermouth 45 ml
- Strain into the ice-filled glass (preferably over a large cube or chunk of block ice)
- Garnish with an orange slice or wedge
Tips
- Stir for about 20-25 seconds, just until it's cold; there's no base spirit here, so any longer and the drink goes watery.
History
The Milano-Torino, nicknamed the Mi-To, is credited to Gaspare Campari, the Milanese liqueur maker who is said to have first served the two-ingredient drink at his own bar in Milan in the 1860s. Its name pairs the hometowns of its components: Campari bitter liqueur from Milano and sweet vermouth traditionally sourced from Torino (Turin), and the drink is widely described as the bittersweet template from which several Italian aperitivo classics descended.
Most notably, bartenders in Campari's bar are said to have lengthened the Milano-Torino with soda water for American clientele who found it too strong, giving rise to the Americano, while a later addition of gin produced the Negroni. The Americano in turn takes its own name from those American drinkers who reportedly requested the lighter, fizzier version.
FAQ
What is in a Milano-Torino?
Equal parts red bitter, such as Campari, and rosso (sweet) vermouth, garnished with an orange slice. It is essentially a Negroni without the gin.
How do you make a Milano-Torino cocktail?
Stir 45 ml each of red bitter and rosso vermouth with ice, then strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass, ideally over a single large cube or block. Garnish with an orange slice.
Is a Milano-Torino shaken or stirred?
Stirred, not shaken. Stirring chills and dilutes the bitter and the vermouth without whipping in air, so the drink stays clear and full-bodied rather than frothy.
What glass is a Milano-Torino served in?
An old-fashioned (rocks) glass, filled with ice and garnished with an orange slice.
How strong is a Milano-Torino?
About 16% ABV, well below a gin-based cocktail, because there is no full-strength spirit in it, only a red bitter and vermouth.
How is a Milano-Torino different from a Negroni?
A Negroni adds gin to the same red bitter and vermouth, making it more spirit-forward and considerably stronger.
