Americano vs Drip Coffee

An Americano is one or two shots of espresso with hot water added to fill an 8 oz cup. Drip coffee is hot water run through ground coffee in a filter basket. They taste similar but are made in completely different ways.

The Americano gets its name from American soldiers in World War II who reportedly diluted Italian espresso to match the brewed coffee they were used to at home.

Same cup volume, different flavor and body

An Americano retains some crema from the espresso shot, giving it a layered flavor. Drip coffee is cleaner and sometimes more bitter depending on brewing time and grind. Both contain roughly 95 to 125mg caffeine for an 8 oz serving with a double shot.

"An Americano is espresso forward. Drip is grain forward. Same general territory, different entry point."

When to order an Americano vs drip

Order an Americano when you are at a specialty shop and want something black. The espresso base will be fresher than batch drip sitting for an hour. Order drip when the shop is known for its single-origin pour overs. At shops like Intelligentsia or Coava Coffee, the pour over program is worth trying.

Iced Americano: the best black iced coffee option

An iced Americano is espresso poured over ice with cold water. Cleaner than iced drip coffee because the extraction is controlled. One of the best iced coffee drinks for people who want something strong without milk. Find quality Americanos in Seattle and Portland.

Related: Caffeine in coffee, Best iced coffee drinks, What is a pour over?