How To Make An Americano - Recipe

Unlike the quick, intense burst of espresso, an Americano offers a longer, more nuanced coffee experience. By diluting espresso with hot water, it bridges the gap between the strength of espresso and the mildness of filter coffee. Dive into our article to make your Americano at home.

The origin of the Americano

Originating during World War 2, the Americano, or Caffè Americano, meaning "American Coffee," was born from the preference of American soldiers stationed in Italy. Accustomed to the less intense drip coffee from the US, they found Italian espresso too strong. To bridge this gap, the Americano was introduced, offering a watered-down, more palatable version of espresso.

What’s an Americano?

The Americano, or Caffe Americano, is an espresso-based drink made by diluting one or two shots of espresso with hot water. This method reduces the espresso's intensity, closely approximating the gentler flavor of drip coffee.

Americano recipe

Ratio

• 1/3 espresso
• 2/3 hot water

Steps

1. Grind for a double shot of espresso.

2. Pour a short double espresso (2oz) into a 6-8 oz glass.

3. Pour 4-6 oz of hot water over the espresso.

How to make an Americano?

An Americano is simply prepared by diluting a double espresso with hot water. The best stregh for your americano is by following a 1:3 to 1:4 ratio. Adjusting this ratio adjusts the strength. While there's some debate over whether to add water or espresso first, ultimately it doesn't change the taste.

FAQ

Is an Americano just black coffee?

An Americano is different from regular black coffee through its preparation method of diluting espresso with hot water. This technique results in a unique taste that's less intense than espresso and offers a complexity not found in standard drip coffee.

Is Americano stronger than regular coffee?

An Americano's strength compared to regular coffee can vary, largely based on the water-to-espresso ratio used in its preparation. By adjusting this ratio, you can tailor an Americano to have a similar strength to filter coffee. Essentially, by adding more or less water, you can control whether the Americano is milder or closer in strength to your standard cup of filter coffee.

Do you put milk in Americano?

Traditionally black, an Americano's addition of milk or cream caters to individual preference. Enthusiasts might savor its undiluted flavors, whereas some find a dash of milk enhances its smoothness and texture, proving there’s no singular way to enjoy an Americano.