What is an Americano coffee? It is a shot or two of espresso diluted with hot water. The result looks like regular black coffee and has a similar strength, but it tastes different: richer and rounder, with a little crema on top and the roasty depth of espresso. A typical Americano uses 1 part espresso to 2–4 parts hot water.
The common story is that American soldiers in Italy during World War II added water to espresso to make it taste more like the coffee they knew at home. Whether or not that is exactly how it started, the name stuck.
What is an Americano coffee made of?
- Espresso: usually a double shot, about 36–60 ml.
- Hot water: about 120–240 ml, at around 80–90°C (175–195°F).
- Nothing else by default. You can add milk, cream or sugar to taste.
Cafés vary a lot. A small Americano might be a double shot with 120 ml of water; a large one might be three or four shots with 350 ml or more.
Americano vs coffee: what’s the difference?
The difference is how the coffee is brewed. Drip coffee is made by slowly passing hot water through medium-ground coffee and a paper filter. An Americano starts as espresso, made by forcing hot water through very fine coffee at about 9 bar of pressure, then adding water.
| Americano | Drip coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing | Espresso plus hot water | Gravity-fed hot water through grounds |
| Flavor | Bolder, rounder, more roasty notes | Cleaner, often brighter |
| Body | Medium, with some oils | Lighter (paper filter removes oils) |
| Crema | Thin layer on top | None |
| Typical caffeine (12 oz) | About 125–190 mg (2–3 shots) | About 140–200 mg |
| Time to make | About 1 minute with a machine | 4–6 minutes per pot |
The Mayo Clinic lists about 63 mg of caffeine in a 1 oz shot of espresso and about 96 mg in an 8 oz cup of brewed coffee, so caffeine in an Americano depends almost entirely on the number of shots. Café sizes and roasts change these numbers, so treat them as estimates.
What does an Americano taste like?
An Americano keeps the concentrated flavors of espresso, such as chocolate, caramel and roast notes, but softens the intensity. Compared with drip coffee, it usually has a fuller mouthfeel and less obvious acidity. The taste depends heavily on the beans and how well the espresso was pulled. A sour or bitter shot makes a sour or bitter Americano; see our guides to sour espresso and bitter espresso if yours tastes off.
Americano vs long black
A long black, popular in Australia and New Zealand, uses the same ingredients in the opposite order: hot water goes in the cup first, then the espresso is poured on top. This preserves more crema and gives a slightly stronger first sip. Long blacks also tend to use less water, so they are smaller and bolder.
Americano vs espresso
An Americano is espresso, just diluted. A single shot of espresso is about 30 ml of intense, syrupy coffee meant to be sipped in a minute or two. An Americano stretches the same shot into a larger, gentler drink with the same caffeine. If straight espresso feels too strong but you like its flavor, an Americano is the easiest way in. Read more about the base drink in what is espresso.
Other espresso-and-water drinks
- Lungo: a “long” espresso pulled with more water through the coffee, usually a 1:3 to 1:4 ratio. It is extracted longer instead of diluted after.
- Red eye: drip coffee with a shot of espresso added.
- Iced Americano: espresso poured over ice and cold water.
See more in our guide to types of coffee drinks.
How to make an Americano at home
With an espresso machine
- Heat the water. Use your machine’s hot water spout or a kettle. Aim for about 80–90°C; boiling water can make the drink taste harsh.
- Add hot water to the cup first: about 120–180 ml for a 6–8 oz drink. Adding water first keeps more crema, like a long black. Adding it after is more traditional. Try both.
- Pull a double shot directly into the cup, for example 18 g of coffee for 36 g of espresso in 25–30 seconds. Our guide to making espresso at home explains each step.
- Taste and adjust. Add more water for a milder drink or another shot for a stronger one.
Ratios to try
| Style | Espresso | Water | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong | Double (36–40 g) | About 80 ml | Bold, close to a long black |
| Classic | Double (36–40 g) | About 120–150 ml | Balanced, like strong drip |
| Mild | Double (36–40 g) | About 200–240 ml | Light, easy drinking |
Without an espresso machine
You can make an Americano-style drink with a moka pot or a concentrated AeroPress brew, then add hot water. It will not be identical, since there is no true espresso pressure, but the flavor is close. Our comparison of coffee brewing methods explains how each brewer differs.
How to make an iced Americano
- Fill a 12–16 oz glass with ice.
- Add about 120 ml of cold, filtered water.
- Pull a double shot and pour it over the top.
- Stir and add a splash of milk or simple syrup if you like.
Tips for a better Americano
- Pull a good shot first. Dilution does not hide flaws. If the espresso tastes balanced on its own, the Americano will too.
- Use filtered water for both brewing and diluting. Since most of the drink is water, off-tasting tap water shows through.
- Avoid boiling water. Water around 80–90°C keeps the drink smooth.
- Preheat the cup so the drink stays hot.
- Try different beans. Medium roasts with chocolate and caramel notes make a classic Americano. Fruity light roasts make a brighter, tea-like version.
How cafés serve it around the world
In Italy, a “caffè americano” is usually a small espresso topped with hot water, sometimes served with a jug of water on the side so you can dilute it yourself. In the US, it is often a large drink with several shots. In Australia and New Zealand, the long black is more common.
Why order an Americano?
- You want the flavor of espresso in a bigger, sippable drink.
- The café’s drip coffee has been sitting on a hot plate. An Americano is always made fresh.
- You want a low-calorie drink. A plain Americano has almost no calories.
- You want to taste a single-origin espresso without milk.
FAQ
Is an Americano stronger than regular coffee?
Not usually. A typical double-shot Americano has a similar or slightly lower amount of caffeine than a 12 oz cup of drip coffee. It can taste stronger because of the espresso’s concentrated flavor.
Do you put milk in an Americano?
It is traditionally served black, but adding milk or cream is common. With a lot of steamed milk, it becomes closer to a latte.
What is the difference between an Americano and a lungo?
A lungo is espresso extracted with more water through the grounds, while an Americano is a normal espresso diluted with hot water afterward. A lungo is smaller and can taste more bitter.
Should water or espresso go in first?
Both work. Water first keeps more crema and gives a slightly smoother start; espresso first is the classic Americano.
Can you make an Americano with decaf?
Yes. Use decaf espresso beans and follow the same steps. A decaf Americano has only a few milligrams of caffeine.
How many calories are in an Americano?
A plain Americano has fewer than 5–15 calories, depending on size. Milk, cream and sugar add calories.