The Americano is one of the most popular ways to drink coffee around the world: it has the flavor of espresso, but with a milder intensity and a larger serving size, ideal for sipping slowly. In this guide, we explain exactly what it is, the espresso-to-water ratio, how to prepare it with different coffee makers, and how it differs from a lungo or filter coffee.
What is an Americano?
An Americano is an espresso with added hot water. It is said that the name comes from World War II, when American soldiers in Italy diluted their espresso with water to resemble the filter coffee they were accustomed to back home.
The result is a cup with the aromas and body of espresso, but less concentrated: easier to drink, without losing the coffee's character.
Espresso and water ratio
There is no single recipe, but these ratios are a good starting point:
| Americano | Espresso | Hot water | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intense | 1 espresso (30-40 ml) | 60-80 ml | 1:2 |
| Classic | 1 espresso (30-40 ml) | 90-120 ml | 1:3 |
| Long | 1 double espresso (60 ml) | 150-200 ml | 1:3 to 1:4 |
Use water at about 85-90°C, not boiling, so as not to "burn" the espresso's aromas. And since water makes up almost the entire cup, the better it is, the better your coffee will taste: we explain this in the importance of water in a good coffee.
How to prepare an Americano with each coffee maker
With an espresso machine
This is the authentic way. Prepare an espresso (about 18g of finely ground coffee for a double) and add the hot water. Many machines have a hot water tap that makes this step easier, such as the Lelit Bianca. If you are just starting out, a machine like the Sage Bambino Plus or the Profitec Go 2.0 will give you an excellent espresso for your Americano.
With a moka pot
A moka pot doesn't make a real espresso, but it does create a concentrated coffee that works very well. Prepare the coffee as usual and add hot water to taste, roughly the same amount as coffee. Try it with the Bialetti Moka Express or the E&B Globe Moka Pot, and review the tips in how to make coffee in a moka pot.
With AeroPress
Prepare a concentrate using 18g of finely ground coffee and about 80-90 ml of water, press, and add hot water to fill the cup. The AeroPress Go is perfect for this, especially when traveling. More recipes in the art of the AeroPress.
Water first or espresso first?
In a classic Americano, water is added over the espresso. If you do it the other way around—water first, then espresso on top—you have a long black, very common in Australia and New Zealand: it preserves the espresso crema better and is slightly more aromatic. Try both and stick with the one you like best.
Americano, lungo, and filter coffee: differences
- Americano: espresso + hot water added afterward. A clean cup with the flavor of espresso.
- Lungo: an espresso where more water is allowed to pass through the coffee (about 50-60 ml). It is shorter than an Americano and slightly more bitter, because the extra water does pass through the coffee grounds.
- Filter coffee: prepared via drip, without pressure, with a roast and grind specifically designed for that method. It has a lighter body and more acidity. If you're torn between the two, we can help you at filter coffee vs. espresso.
If you want to learn about other espresso-based drinks, like the cortado or the flat white, you can find it all in our guide on types of coffee.
Which coffee to use for an Americano
Since water dilutes the espresso, coffees with body and sweetness work very well, as they can withstand the dilution without falling "flat":
- Brazil Mundo Novo / Natural Coffee: dense and sweet, with notes of dark chocolate, caramel, and raisins.
- Acevedo Caturra / Washed Coffee: from Huila, with notes of cocoa, brown sugar, and a floral touch.
- Mexico Bourbon-Typica / Washed Coffee: from Tacaná Volcano (Chiapas), with chocolate, aromatic herbs, and a citrus touch.
- El Salvador Bourbon Rainbow / Natural Coffee: fruity, with cocoa, honey, red berries, and plum.
For a balanced espresso, grind finely just before brewing; we explain how in how to choose the right grind. And if you don't have a grinder, you can request any of our coffees ground for espresso or moka pot. Find yours in our espresso coffee collection.
Frequently asked questions about the Americano
Does an Americano have more caffeine than an espresso?
No. It contains the same amount of caffeine as the espresso used to make it; the water only dilutes it. If you make it with a double espresso, it will have twice the caffeine of a single.
Can you drink an Americano with milk?
Of course. A splash of hot or cold milk softens the cup even further. If you're looking for something creamier, try a latte or a flat white.
What is the difference between an Americano and a "café largo"?
In many coffee shops in Spain, a "café largo" refers to an espresso with more water passed through the grounds, which is actually a lungo. An Americano, on the other hand, involves adding the water afterward.
