Americano
Ingredients
&w=3840&q=75){kind=small}
- 7/12 ounces espresso coffee beans – finely ground
- 6 ounces filtered water – just off the boil (for dilution)
Instructions
1. Grind the espresso coffee beans to a fine, even espresso grind.
2. Dose and tamp the grounds in the portafilter, aiming for a level, firmly compacted puck.
3. Pull a double shot of espresso (about 2 ounces) in 25–30 seconds; a thin, steady stream and deep crema indicate proper extraction.
4. Heat the filtered water to 190–205°F (just off the boil).
5. Pour the hot water over the espresso to reach an 8-ounce drink, pouring gently to preserve some crema.
6. Serve immediately while hot.
An Americano is a simple, elegant coffee drink made by diluting espresso with hot water. It preserves the espresso’s fragrant aromatics and bittersweet chocolatey notes while softening intensity to a drip-like strength. The texture is lighter than straight espresso yet more aromatic than typical brewed coffee, making it a versatile, all-day cup.
Its origins are widely attributed to mid-20th-century Italy, where American visitors and soldiers preferred a larger, milder cup. Italian baristas began lengthening espresso with hot water, dubbing it caffè americano. Over time the drink spread globally, with regional preferences in ratio and assembly distinguishing it from the closely related long black.