Americano Coffee Guide: How to Make an Americano

A caffè Americano ("American coffee") is an espresso drink made with one or two shots of espresso diluted with hot water. Milk is sometimes added as well. Known as a long black in Australia and New Zealand, an Americano has the appearance of drip coffee with a subtly different flavor. While diluted, the espresso flavor shines through—even more so than a latte or cappuccino, espresso drinks made with lots of milk.

One of the biggest advantages of the Americano is that it can be made quickly—espresso takes less than a minute to brew. By contrast, a cup of coffee made with a French press, home coffee maker, or pour-over setup takes at least several minutes.

The name “Americano” is thought to have originated as an insult, but it's unclear if it first emerged in Spanish (café Americano) or Italian (caffè Americano). In either case, it's a reference to the stereotype that Americans like their coffee diluted. One theory suggests that the Americano was invented in Italy when American soldiers arrived in Europe during World War II. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of the term was in Central America in the 1950s. While the origin of the Americano may be cloudy, it’s clear that the coffee drink has grown in popularity among casual coffee drinkers and baristas alike.

The Americano and cold brew are both coffee drinks that start with a strong, concentrated brew diluted by water, but they are made using completely different brewing methods. An Americano starts out with a shot (or two) of strong espresso made in an espresso machine under high pressure. This process is very quick and puts ground coffee into contact with hot (190 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit) water for less than a minute. The espresso is then diluted with hot water—or cold water for an iced Americano.

Cold brew coffee, on the other hand, is made by soaking coarsely ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for six to 24 hours. After straining out the coffee grounds, the resulting coffee concentrate is typically diluted with cold water and/or milk. In terms of flavor, an iced Americano will taste more acidic and aromatic than cold brew. In terms of caffeine, cold brew and Americano coffee are both roughly as caffeinated as regular coffee. Of course, you can always reduce the caffeine by increasing the water ratio.

Preparing an Americano is relatively simple with an espresso maker.

1. 1. Grind the coffee beans. The best espresso comes from freshly ground coffee beans—preferably ground with a burr grinder, which produces more uniform particles than a blade grinder. Grind the beans directly into the portafilter for the freshest coffee possible.
2. 2. Tamp the beans. The next step is tamping. A tamper is a small, flat round weight with a handle—kind of like a stamp. You use the tamper to press the coffee grounds into an even disc. This will ensure that the portafilter can go into and come out of the machine properly and maximize the water's contact with the coffee. Don't press too hard, or the disc will become compacted. Apply light pressure and release with a slight twist.
3. 3. Prepare the cup. Fill a mug or glass about three-quarters full with hot water—roughly six ounces of hot water.
4. 4. Make a single or double shot of espresso. Gently slide the filter basket into the machine and turn the handle to lock it into place. Place an espresso cup underneath the portafilter. Depending on the design of your espresso machine, you'll need to flick a switch or press a button, and the coffee will stream out into the cup.
5. 5. Dilute the espresso. To preserve the crema (the creamy foam produced by espresso), pour the espresso into the cup of hot water and serve immediately. You can also pour the espresso into an empty mug or glass and top it off with hot water, but the crema might dissipate.

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