Home > The Ultimate Guide to the Americano: Recipe, Ratios, and History

The Ultimate Guide to the Americano: Recipe, Ratios, and History

Just espresso and water? Nope. Here's the real story behind the Americano, how to make it, and why it's not just watered-down coffee.
Disclaimer: Images on this page are for illustration and informational purposes. They represent general coffee brewing and equipment concepts, not specific brands, products, or cafés.

So, what's an Americano? It’s simple, sure, but there's a right way to do it. We'll get into its wartime story, the best way to make one (hot or iced), and why it's a coffee lover's secret handshake.

A classic hot Americano in a white ceramic cup, with a rich crema on top, placed on a dark wooden table.

What's an Americano, Anyway?

Is it just black coffee? Watered-down espresso? Nope. The Caffè Americano is a simple drink that really lets you taste the coffee, not a bunch of milk and sugar. 1

It's different from regular drip coffee. Drip coffee uses gravity, with hot water slowly filtering through grounds over several minutes. An Americano starts with espresso, which is made by forcing hot water through finely,ground coffee at high pressure (around 9 bars!) in under 30 seconds. 3

This speedy process pulls out a unique mix of oils and flavors, creating a richer, silkier coffee. 3 Adding hot water then "opens up" that intense espresso flavor, making it a longer, smoother drink. 8 Because there's no milk to hide behind, a bad espresso shot makes a bad Americano, but a good one is perfect.

A Wartime Original

The story goes back to World War II Italy. 1 American G.I.s found the local espresso a bit... intense. They were used to big mugs of drip coffee, not tiny, powerful shots. 5

A vintage, sepia-toned illustration depicting American G.I.s in a 1940s Italian cafe, being served coffee.

So, they asked baristas to add hot water to their espresso, making it bigger and more like the coffee from back home. 8 The Italians supposedly named it "Caffè Americano," which literally means "American Coffee." 11

That's the popular version, anyway. The name "café americano" might have also popped up in 1950s Central America for any weak coffee. 14 The Americano is basically a mashup of two coffee habits, Italy’s strong espresso and America’s love for a big cup.

The Two Ingredients

An Americano has only two parts, espresso and water, so the quality of each one is everything.

The Espresso Shot

A great Americano needs a great espresso shot, simple as that. You need an espresso machine that can hit a consistent 9 bars of pressure and a good grinder for a fine, even grind. 3 A perfect shot has layers.

A close-up macro shot of a perfect espresso shot being pulled into a glass, showing the layers of crema, body, and heart.

On top is the "crema," a reddish-brown foam that holds the best aromas and gives the drink a silky feel. 15 Below that is the brown "body" and the dark "heart," which adds a bit of bitterness to balance things out. 6 Most cafes use a double shot, or doppio , to make sure the flavor is nice and strong. 18

The Hot Water

Don't forget the water, it makes up most of the drink. 20 Use water that’s hot but not boiling, somewhere between 195-205°F (90-96°C). 11 Water that's too hot can scorch the espresso and make it taste burnt. 15

Filtered water is best. 25 Tap water often has chlorine or minerals that can make your coffee taste flat or chemical-y. 23 Clean water lets the real espresso flavor shine.

Espresso-to-Water Ratios

The classic ratio is 1:2, one part espresso to two parts hot water. 2 For a standard double shot (2 oz / 60ml), you’d add 4 oz (120ml) of hot water. That gives you a balanced, 6-ounce drink.

But this is just a starting point. Changing the ratio alters the drink's strength and overall taste.

Ever wonder why an Americano from a big coffee chain tastes different? They often use more water to fill bigger cups, which makes the drink milder. 9 Experiment at home to find the ratio you like best.

Chain Coffee vs. Home Brew: Big coffee chains often use a higher water ratio (like 1:4 or more) to fill larger cup sizes. This results in a milder, more diluted drink compared to the classic 1:2 ratio you might make at home.
Ratio (Espresso:Water) Example (for a 2oz/60ml Doppio) Resulting Flavor Profile
1:1 2oz espresso + 2oz water Intense & Bold: Very espresso-forward, strong body, slightly softened.
1:2 (Classic) 2oz espresso + 4oz water Balanced & Robust: The industry standard. Rich espresso flavor with a smooth finish.
1:3 2oz espresso + 6oz water Mellow & Smooth: Closer to a strong drip coffee. Less intense, very approachable.
1:4 2oz espresso + 8oz water Light & Tea-Like: Mild and delicate. Highlights subtle notes but can taste diluted if the espresso isn't bold.

How to Make a Hot Americano

  1. Get Ready: First, pre-heat your mug. Fill it with hot water and let it sit for a minute, then dump it. This keeps your drink hot for longer. 22
  2. Pull the Espresso: Brew a fresh double shot of espresso (about 2 oz / 60ml) directly into your warmed-up mug. 18
  3. Add Water: Heat filtered water to 195-205°F (90-96°C). Gently pour about 4 oz of water over the espresso. 9
A person pouring hot water from a gooseneck kettle into a mug containing a fresh shot of espresso to make an Americano.

The Great Debate: Water First or Espresso First?

The method above, water over espresso, is the traditional Americano. 1 It mixes the crema into the drink for a consistent flavor all the way through.

But there's another way called a Long Black, which is big in Australia and New Zealand. 11 For that, you pour the espresso shot on top of the hot water. This keeps the crema intact on the surface, giving you a bigger aroma and a creamier first sip. 22

Making an Iced Americano

An Iced Americano is super refreshing on a hot day. The trick is to build it in the right order so it doesn't get watery.

  1. Prep the Glass: Fill a tall glass with plenty of ice, about 1 cup. 33
  2. Add Water: Pour 4 to 6 ounces of cold, filtered water over the ice. 33
  3. Add Espresso: Brew a hot double shot of espresso. Immediately pour it over the cold water and ice. 34
A tall, refreshing Iced Americano in a clear glass filled with ice, showing the beautiful gradient as the espresso mixes with the water.

Why this order? Pouring hot espresso right onto ice melts it instantly, which waters down your drink. 35 Adding the espresso to cold water cools it down more gently, keeping your coffee strong and perfectly chilled.

The Golden Rule for Iced Americanos: Always pour hot espresso over cold water and ice, never the other way around. This prevents the hot espresso from instantly melting the ice, which would result in a weak, watery drink. This method ensures maximum flavor and a perfectly chilled coffee.

FAQs and Other Versions

Americano with Milk

Can you add milk? Of course. While it's traditionally served black, a splash of milk or cream is a popular way to soften the flavor, just like with drip coffee. 9

The "Instant Coffee" Americano

No espresso machine? No problem. 40 Dissolve one or two teaspoons of instant espresso powder in a tiny bit of hot water (about 1 oz / 30ml) to make a concentrated "shot." Then, just top it with another 4 to 6 ounces of hot water for a quick substitute. 37

The "Campari" Confusion

If you search for an "Americano recipe Campari," you'll find a cocktail, not a coffee. The Americano cocktail is a classic Italian drink made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water. 42 Same name, totally different (and delicious) drinks! 44

Works cited

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