What Exactly Is an Americano?
At its core, an Americano is beautifully simple. It's a coffee beverage made by diluting a shot of espresso with hot water. A barista pulls a single or double shot of espresso, then adds hot water, resulting in a larger drink that's less intense than
the espresso it started with. The process creates a coffee that has a similar strength to a cup of drip coffee but with the distinct, rich flavour profile that comes from an espresso base. Unlike lattes or cappuccinos, a classic Americano is served without milk, though you can certainly add it to taste.
A Taste of History
The popular origin story of the Americano dates back to World War II. American G.I.s stationed in Italy reportedly found the local espresso to be too strong and concentrated for their liking. To make it more palatable and similar to the drip coffee they were used to back home, they began asking for the espresso to be diluted with hot water. Italian baristas supposedly dubbed this creation the “Caffè Americano,” or American coffee, and the name stuck. This simple adaptation by soldiers became a global coffee staple.
Americano vs. Drip Coffee
While they might both appear as black coffee in a mug, an Americano and drip coffee are fundamentally different in preparation and taste. Drip coffee is made by letting hot water slowly filter through ground coffee, relying on gravity. An Americano, however, starts with espresso, which is made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee under high pressure. This pressure-brewing method results in a different flavour extraction. Many find an Americano has a richer, bolder taste and a fuller body than drip coffee, which can be smoother and highlight different floral or fruity notes.
The Americano vs. The Long Black
Here's where things get interesting for coffee aficionados. An Americano and a Long Black are nearly identical in their ingredients—espresso and hot water—but differ in their construction. For an Americano, the hot water is added to the espresso. For a Long Black, the opposite happens: the espresso shots are poured on top of the hot water. This subtle change has a noticeable effect. A Long Black tends to preserve more of the espresso’s crema—the reddish-brown foam on top—resulting in a slightly more aromatic and layered flavour profile. An Americano, where the water is added to the espresso, tends to have a thinner crema and a more uniform, mellow taste.
The Taste: Bold Yet Mellow
An Americano offers a unique flavour experience that sits between the intensity of a straight espresso and the subtlety of drip coffee. You get the deep, complex, and caramelised notes of the espresso, but softened and made more approachable by the hot water. It’s bold without being overwhelming. The final taste can be customised based on the type of coffee bean used and the ratio of espresso to water. Typically, ratios range from 1 part espresso to 2 parts water, but you can go up to a 1:4 ratio for a much milder cup.
How to Make a Great Americano
Making an Americano at home is simple if you have an espresso machine. First, pull a single or double shot of your favorite espresso into a mug. Then, heat fresh water to a temperature just off the boil—using boiling water can burn the coffee and create a bitter taste. Carefully pour the hot water over the espresso. A good starting point is a 1:2 ratio of espresso to water. For a double shot (about 60ml), you would add 120ml of hot water. From there, you can adjust the amount of water to suit your personal preference for strength.
