What Is an Americano? How to Make One at Home
An Americano is espresso topped up with hot water. It keeps the coffee at the centre of the cup while making it a longer drink than a straight espresso. The amount of water is flexible, so you can make yours shorter and more intense or fill a larger mug.
What goes into an Americano?
The classic drink has two ingredients: espresso and hot water. Many cafés use one or two shots, then add water to suit the cup and the customer's preference. There is no single mug size or water ratio that every café follows.
An Americano is different from filter coffee. With filter coffee, water passes through a bed of coffee grounds; with an Americano, hot water is added to espresso that has already been brewed.
How to make an Americano
Ingredients
- 1 or 2 shots of espresso
- Hot water, to taste
Method
- Make one or two espresso shots and pour them into a mug.
- Add hot water gradually, tasting as you go.
- Stop when the balance and mug size suit you.
If you prefer a more concentrated cup, use less water. For a longer, gentler drink, add more. The coffee and the size of the espresso shot both affect the final taste, so treat this as a starting point rather than a fixed rule.
Should you add the espresso first or the water first?
There is more than one way to pour the two ingredients. If you have a preference, make it that way; what matters for a simple home Americano is that you combine espresso with hot water and adjust the amount to your taste. If you are following a specific coffee machine's recipe, use its instructions.
Can you make an Americano without an espresso machine?
You can make a mug of instant black coffee without an espresso machine, but it is not an Americano. Dissolve the coffee in hot water according to the pack directions and adjust the strength to suit you. It is a simple alternative when you want a longer black coffee; browse Presto's instant coffee if you'd like to try that different kind of cup.
Americano at a glance
- Base: espresso
- Added liquid: hot water
- Strength: adjust the water to taste
- Milk: optional, though the classic version is served without it
Choose coffee for your home routine
For an espresso-machine Americano, begin with a coffee intended for espresso and follow your machine's guidance. Explore Presto's whole bean coffee and choose the format and flavour you enjoy.
