How to Make an Americano Coffee Drink: A Complete Brewing Guide

What is an Americano?

Definition and Characteristics

A Café Americano—also spelled Caffe Americano—is a simple yet refined coffee drink made by combining espresso shots with hot water. Its defining traits are a smooth body, light crema on top, and bold flavor without the heaviness of milk. A standard Americano is made using a double shot of espresso diluted with hot water in a typical coffee cup, giving it strength and complexity similar to drip coffee, but with richer roast notes.

Origins and History

The Americano’s roots trace back to World War II, when American soldiers stationed in Italy found local espresso too intense. To mimic the drip coffee from North America, they began diluting their espresso with hot water, birthing what’s now known globally as the Americano. It has since evolved into a staple across coffee shops, with both hot and iced Americano versions served year-round.

Differentiating Americano from Other Coffee Drinks

Americano vs. Drip Coffee

While both offer a black coffee experience, an Americano is made by adding water to espresso shots, whereas drip coffee is brewed by pouring water over ground coffee beans. The Americano has more crema, a denser mouthfeel, and a different extraction yield, owing to the brew espresso method.

Americano vs. Latte

A Latte combines espresso with steamed milk and often a light layer of milk foam, resulting in a creamy, mellow flavor. An Americano contains no milk by default and leans more toward a clean, bold profile.

Americano vs. Cappuccino

A Cappuccino is layered: 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 thick milk foam. The Americano, in contrast, is smooth, flat, and lacks dairy—unless you choose to customize it.

Essential Tools and Ingredients

Choosing the Right Coffee Beans

Start with high-quality espresso coffee beans. A dark roast or Espresso Roast like those from Common Room Roasters or Metropolis Coffee Company offers deep flavor, while something like a Guatemala medium roast provides subtle brightness. Freshly ground whole-bean coffee gives the best results—use a burr grinder to control consistency.

Equipment Needed

To make an Americano, you’ll need:

• Espresso machine (e.g., Breville Barista Touch, Nespresso Vertuo, or Nespresso® Espresso Roast capsules)
• Kitchen scale or coffee scale
• Tamping tool for consistent tamping pressure
• Filter basket and brew basket
• Optional: Gooseneck kettle for precise hot water control

Methods of Preparation

Hot Water Added to Espresso

The classic American-style preparation: brew your double shot of espresso and then gently pour hot water over it. This method preserves crema and offers a balanced flavor profile.

Espresso Added to Hot Water

This method, popular in Australia and New Zealand as the Long Black, involves adding the espresso shots into a pre-filled cup of hot water. It results in a stronger aroma and slightly different flavor due to how the crema interacts with the water.

Step-by-Step Preparation Guides

Using an Espresso Machine

1. Use a kitchen scale to weigh 18–20g of finely ground coffee.
2. Load into your filter basket, then tamp down evenly.
3. Brew a double shot (about 2 oz) using your espresso machine.
4. Heat 4–6 oz of water (195–205°F) in a gooseneck kettle.
5. Pour water over espresso or vice versa, depending on preference.
6. Serve in a warmed coffee cup.

Brewing with an AeroPress

1. Insert a paper filter and rinse it with hot water.
2. Add 17g of espresso roast coffee ground fine.
3. Pour 50ml of hot water; stir and steep for 30 seconds.
4. Press down gently.
5. Add 150ml more hot water to dilute.

Making with a Moka Pot

1. Fill the stovetop moka pot base with water and basket with fine espresso beans.
2. Heat until extraction completes.
3. Pour into cup and dilute with hot water to taste.

Using a Phin Filter (Vietnamese Style)

For a twist on the classic Americano, use a Phin filter:

1. Add 2 tablespoons of ground coffee to the filter.
2. Gently tamp.
3. Pour a small amount of hot water to bloom.
4. Fill with more hot water and let it drip.
5. Add more water if needed, or pour over coffee ice cubes for an iced Americano variant.

Expert Tips for Perfecting Your Americano

• Use a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:2 or 1:3 depending on desired strength.
• Preheat your cup for temperature stability.
• Control brew time (25–30 seconds for espresso) to ensure a balanced shot.
• Stir gently to integrate crema without breaking it.
• Store leftover coffee in food storage containers and freeze as coffee ice cubes.

Customization Options

Adding Milk

While not traditional, a splash of steamed milk or cold milk foam can mellow the flavor. For an iced version, try adding a swirl of cream over ice cubes.

Sweetening with Sugar

Add caramelized sugar, honey, or flavored syrups like hazelnut syrup for a personalized twist. You can also dust the top with cocoa powder for aroma.

Comparing Americano with Other Espresso-Based Drinks

Americano vs. Long Black

The Long Black uses less water and is brewed by pouring espresso shots into hot water, preserving crema. It’s bolder and stronger than a standard Americano.

Understanding Taste and Caffeine Content

An Americano’s taste profile is bold yet smooth, depending on your roast color and bean origin (South America, Africa, etc.). Caffeine content in a double shot Americano is about 120–150 mg, similar to a strong drip coffee, but less than an Espresso Martini or Caffè Mocha with extra ingredients.

Ideal Times for Americano Consumption

The Americano is ideal:

• As a morning energizer with breakfast
• Mid-afternoon when you want clean energy without dairy
• In social settings as a sophisticated alternative to sweeter specialty coffee drinks
• Before a workout for clean, fast-acting caffeine
• Paired with dessert to balance sweetness

It’s also a healthier option for those avoiding milk foam, sugar, or heavy cream. Some even say it carries health benefits from antioxidants and natural oils extracted from espresso.

Conclusion: The Art of Simplicity

The Americano is a beautiful contradiction—simple yet complex, bold yet smooth, minimalist yet full of nuance. Whether you’re learning from Scott Rao’s The Professional Barista’s Handbook or diving into Home Barista forums, there’s always room to refine your method. With just espresso shots, hot water, and a little practice, you can enjoy this timeless classic anywhere—from the highlands of South America to your home kitchen.

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)