Drinks

Milano Torino Cocktail

June 17, 2022 by Jennifer

Yes, it’s another Italian cocktail to commemorate my recent trip to Italy. But unlike last week’s spritz, this drink is definitely on the more bitter side. So, for all you Campari lovers out there, this one’s for you.

Unlike my husband (and so many other people I know) I am not a Campari fan. It’s just too bitter for me. I’ve tried the age old start small and increase over time trick. I’ve tried mixing it with orange juice and changing the measurements, I’ve even tried all the classic cocktails from Negronis to Americanos. But no matter what, I cannot get past that bitterness! I wish I could. I mean, I was just in northern Italy where the spritz and the Negroni are as commonplace as bottles of water. I want to like it. I really do! But I don’t. That’s why I go for other cocktails. Cocktails like the Aperol Spritz. It’s still a bitter aperitif like Campari, but it’s more subtle and so significantly more enjoyable… at least for me.

While I don’t like Campari, I know there are plenty of others who do. So, it’s for you, the Americano and Negroni lovers out there, that I make today’s classic cocktail: the Milano Torino. It’s kind of a weird name for a drink, right? Well, it is until you know where it came from and what it means. Milano and Torino are the Italian names for the cities Milan and Turin, the two places where the two ingredients that makes up this cocktail come from. Campari comes from Milan and Sweet (or Italian) Vermouth comes from Turin. Put them together and you have the Milano Torino, Mi-To for short. It may sound like a simple cocktail, but it’s a drink that packs a punch and is a nice change of pace from the more common Negroni or Americano.

Speaking of Negronis and Americanos, turns out the Mi-To was their precursor. Created at Milan’s Caffè Camparino in the 1860’s, the Mi-To was the original Campari cocktail. Shortly thereafter soda was added to create the Americano, then gin replaced the soda early in the 20th century for the Negroni. While those later drinks are delightful options before dinner, the original Mi-To is definitely worth a sip… as long as you like Campari.