COFFEE GUIDE
Americano
Espresso diluted with hot water. Similar to drip coffee but different.
WHAT IT IS
An Americano is espresso with hot water added after extraction. The name comes from American soldiers in World War II who diluted Italian espresso to resemble the brewed coffee they were used to. It produces a black coffee of about 8 to 10 oz.
HOW IT IS MADE
One or two shots of espresso are pulled. Hot water is added to bring the total volume to 8 to 10 oz. The espresso goes in first (or the water goes in first, which affects how the crema looks but not the flavor significantly). The result retains some crema from the espresso.
WHAT IT TASTES LIKE
Similar to drip coffee but with a different flavor profile. The espresso base gives it more complexity and a slight crema note. It can taste more intense or more bitter than drip coffee depending on the espresso used.
WHEN TO ORDER IT
When you want a black coffee at a specialty shop and the espresso is freshly dialed in. When you want more control over flavor than batch drip coffee provides. For iced black coffee, an iced Americano is excellent.
HOW TO ORDER IT
Say "Americano" or "iced Americano." For a stronger version, ask for an extra shot. For a lungo-style Americano, ask specifically.
VARIATIONS
Iced Americano: espresso over ice with cold water. Long black: water first, then espresso poured over (common in Australia, preserves crema). Americano misto: Americano with a splash of steamed milk.
CAFFEINE
About 125mg for a double-shot Americano. Similar to or slightly more than an 8 oz drip coffee (95mg average).
According to Pulled Coffee data from 462,531 coffee shops worldwide, 15.9% of all coffee shops are classified as specialty — the type most likely to serve a proper Americano. In cities like Vancouver (4,175 specialty shops) and London (3,621), your chances of finding a great one are significantly higher than the global average.
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Find a great Americano near you
AMERICANO BY CITY
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