ESPRESSO FAMILY
Americano
An americano is espresso diluted with hot water, giving a drink about the size and strength of brewed coffee but with espresso's flavor. It is a simple way to turn a concentrated shot into a longer, more sippable cup.
- Cup size
- 6-8 oz
- Served
- Hot or iced
- Strength
- 3 / 5 (concentration, not caffeine)
- Caffeine
- ~126 mg typical
The caffeine comes from the 2 oz of espresso, not the water or the cup size, so a bigger serving with the same espresso carries about the same amount.
WHERE IT SITS
- Americano
- Espresso
- Turkish Coffee
In the cup
What's in an Americano
An americano is one of the easiest drinks to understand: pull a shot or two of espresso, then add hot water to lengthen it. The water does not change the coffee so much as spread it out, so the americano keeps the roasted, slightly bittersweet flavor of espresso while drinking like a mug of black coffee rather than a tiny, intense shot.
The result sits comfortably between espresso and drip. It is milder and more sippable than straight espresso, but it carries a cleaner, more espresso-driven taste than most brewed coffee, often with a light crema on top. Order it long or short depending on how much water goes in, and take it black or with a splash of milk.
It is the natural choice for anyone who likes the flavor of espresso but wants something they can drink slowly, at the size of an ordinary cup of coffee.
- START HEREAmericano
- Espresso
- Turkish Coffee
How it's built
- 2 oz espresso
- + 4 oz water
- Americano6-8 oz
Ordering an Americano
At the counter
An americano is espresso lengthened with water, served at about the size of an ordinary cup of coffee, hot or iced. Order it long or short depending on how much water you want, and take it black or with a splash of milk. It is the drink to choose when you like the flavor of espresso but want something you can sip slowly rather than knock back.
- Cup size
- 6-8 oz
- Served
- Hot or iced
Make it at home
Making an Americano at home
- Pull a shot or two of espresso into a mug.
- Top it up with hot water until it reaches the length of an ordinary cup of coffee - more water for a longer, milder cup, less for a stronger one.
- For an iced americano, pour the shot over ice and top with cold water instead.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is an Americano?
An americano is espresso lengthened with hot water. It keeps the flavor of espresso but drinks like a full cup of black coffee rather than a small, intense shot, which makes it a longer, milder way to enjoy an espresso base.
What's in an Americano / what's the ratio?
An Americano is 2 oz espresso, 4 oz water in a 6-8 oz cup - espresso topped up with hot water.
Is an Americano strong?
On our concentration scale, an Americano rates 3/5. Strength here means how concentrated the coffee tastes - not how much caffeine is in the cup.
How is an Americano different from an Espresso?
A straight espresso is small and intense, a concentrated shot meant to be drunk quickly. An americano takes that same shot and adds hot water, so it becomes larger, milder, and more sippable while keeping the espresso flavor. Same coffee, very different size and intensity.
Is an Americano hot or iced?
Both. An Americano is served hot or over ice, whichever you prefer.
How much caffeine is in an Americano?
Around 126 mg is typical for an Americano, scaled from USDA's measured figure for espresso rather than measured in the cup. It is approximate - the real amount shifts with the beans, the roast, and the pour.