Cortado vs americano – the key differences.

Sometimes I just need a delicious coffee that packs a punch and I bet you do too. Today I’m going to let you into a secret, well two secrets. First americano, yes I know you’ve tried americano coffee but have you ever thought about it compares to cortadocoffee? Second secret? Well, cortado coffee has been a well-kept secret for too long. Like the country it comes from, it punches well above its weight. Can it topple americano as your go to coffee? Read on to find out in the battle of cortado vs americano.

What is an americano

It sounds so simple, a black americano is just a shot of espresso and hot water. But getting it right can be very tricky. Too much water and it tastes watery. Too little water and you are left with a bitter-tasting brew.

The espresso makes caffe americano stronger than regular drip and pour-over coffees. And drunk black its got a tiny calorie count.

Once you’ve mastered making americano coffee just how you like it, you’ll never pay shop prices again.

Can’t wait to try a black americano? Check out my super simple recipe to make your own americano at home.

What is a cortado

It’s made with a combination of espresso and an equal amount of steamed milk. Cortado is deceptively simple to make and packs a punch that only 2 shots of espresso can deliver. Your taste buds will only be saved by the rich creamy taste and texture of the steamed milk.

Cortados are so popular in Europe there is even a cortado glass (some places call it a Gibralter glass). It’s a small, 4 1/4 oz. thick-walled and heavy-bottomed glass, making it the perfect size to hold precisely 2oz espresso and 2oz of steamed milk. Leaving just enough room to stir in some sugar or other sweetener.

Need to fire up your coffee maker and make a cortado? Check out my super simple recipe for making a cortado.

The taste test: americano vs cortado

The taste of americano

• As you expect for its shot, or two, of espresso, americano coffee has a bold and intense flavor. So the coffee beans you use to make it have a huge impact on the taste of the finished drink.
• If you brew a full-on strong espresso, even with hot water added, you will still get strong bitter and sharp notes. Sometimes that’s just what I want. But other times I want a softer more flavor-filled experience.
• Try using lighter roast espresso beans and you will get notes of chocolate, caramel and even citrus fruit flavors and aromas.
• Too hot to enjoy an americano? Why not make an iced americano. You make it the same way: brew a shot of espresso and add a little less water than usual. Then top up your cup with ice cubes. You still get the energy boost and you’ll discover new flavors that don’t come through in a hot americano.

Make americano at home is so easy with my super simple americano recipe.

The taste of cortado

• Cortado is a perfect balance between espresso and steamed milk, creating a smooth, yet strong, flavor with notes of nuts and fruit.
• Just like americano making a cortado with dark-roast espresso beans will give you a real hit of deeply intense and even bitter (in a good way) from the coffee. With just enough richness from the milk to balance the flavors.
• When I make a cortado with light roast espresso I find myself sipping it slower because I’m getting all the flavors of the coffee. Depending on the types of espresso coffee you choose you’ll taste and smell toffee, caramel and even citrus or berry fruit notes.
• Using a light roast coffee you will find yourself making a cortado which bursts with flavor. With the coffee turned down you taste the milk, whether it’s creamy dairy or your favorite non-dairy.
• I love making an oat cortado – just substitute oat milk for dairy. Barista blend oat milk makes a really creamy texture when you froth it to a velvety foam.

You won’t even think about buying a cafe cortado once you’ve tried my easy at home recipe to make cortadocoffee. Your home made cortado with be the best cortado you ever taste. Because you can make your perfect cortado at home. And don’t be afraid to experiment – why not add a teaspoon of vanilla to create a vanilla cortado.

Americano vs cortado: the pros and cons

The pros of americano coffee vs cortado

• Americano coffee has a rich and bold flavor that is more intense than traditional drip coffee.
• Adding hot water to espresso means your americano coffee is less acidic than other types of coffee. So it’s easier on your stomach.
• It’s really easy to make with just two ingredients. Brew an espresso into a big cup and top up with hot water. Job done!
• When you need an energy boost it’s got as much caffeine as an espresso. But because of the hot water its a more enjoyable drink to sip.

The cons of americanos

• The flip side to getting an energy boost is that the caffeine content can make you anxious or restless and even stop you sleeping. So it is not a coffee to drink too many times a day, unless you use decaf coffee beans. Then you can drink a decaf americano any time of day or night.
• Unless you make americanos with care, it is easy to add too much water. Then you get something that’s watery and flavorless. Yuk!
• If you prefer coffee with milk, then you could find caffe americano a bit harsh. Maybe that’s the time to try a cortado instead? Or, maybe try am americano with milk. Just reduce the hot water and replace with the same amount of hot milk.

The pros of cortado

• Cortado has a complex flavor that is balanced and not overwhelming – it has the bitterness of espresso combined with creamy-tasting milk. All topped with a velvet layer of foamed milk, making it smoother than an espresso but still full-bodied.
• It is relatively easy to make with just two ingredients (freshly brewed espresso and steamed milk). So it’s quicker and easier to make than some other coffees like: cappuccinos or lattes.
• Because cortados are made with two shots of espresso they give you a real punch of energy from all the caffeine.
• Even if you don’t like dairy milk, there are so many great non-dairy alternatives. Why not make an oat cortado? I love the taste and so will you. Check out my review of the best non-dairy milks.

The cons of cortado

• The elephant in the room is the two shots of espresso. Some people find that much coffee is way too much. Whether it’s the caffeine content or just the intense flavor burst a 2 shot cortado coffee can be too much of a good thing. Why not try making cortado with a single shot and 1oz. of steamed milk?
• The caffeine levels in cortado make it a challenge. Too much caffeine is not good for you and can make you restless, anxious and unable to sleep. So, limit yourself to a maximum of 1 cortado a day and don’t drink it too close to going to bed.
• Although it is a short coffee drink I like to sip my cortado. But that means it often gets cold before I’m finished. And maybe it’s just me but I prefer it fresh and piping hot.

FAQs about the difference between americano and cortado

Which one has the most caffeine?

• A single shot of espresso used to make an americano contains approximately 50-80mg of caffeine, depending on the caffeine content in the coffee you use. For comparison 50-80mg of caffeine is around the same amount found in a regular cup of coffee.
• Cortado, on the other hand, has 2 shots of espresso so contains about twice as much caffeine, 100-160mg per cup. Again, depending on the caffeine level of the beans you use..

Which one is better for different occasions

• Americanos can be useful as an alternative to regular coffee, providing a more intense flavor that will pick you up in the morning or re-start your afternoon.
• It also helps cut your calories compared to cortado and other coffees with milk.
• Americanos are also one of the simplest coffees to make. – just a shot of espresso or a short strong coffee and then topped up with hot water.
• Cortado has a stronger richer flavor, making it better when you want to really enjoy your cup of Joe.
• In its homeland of Spain. Cortados are a morning drink. Imagine you have worked a long hard day and then partied all night. Nothing comes close to a cortado to fire you up and get you started on another long day.
• In hot weather you can easily convert both of these coffees into iced americano and iced cortado. Just brew as normal and put into a bigger glass or cup so you can top up with ice cubes.

What is cortado coffee?

A cortado coffee is a made with espresso coffee and hot milk. Normally it’s made with a 1:1 ratio of water to coffee, plus a small layer of milk foam on top. It originated in Spain during the 20th century and has since become popular in many countries across the world.

How is a cortado different from a latte or cappuccino?

• A cortado has a 1:1 ratio of espresso and steamed milk, while a latte and cappuccino have more milk and less espresso.
• A latte has a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio of espresso to milk and a layer of milk foam on top.
• Whereas a cappuccino has a 1:1:1 ratio of espresso, milk, and milk foam.

What are the benefits of drinking a cortado?

• Cortado coffee is lower in calories than many other milky coffees and has a rewardingly strong, bold flavor.
• Plus, it gives you a caffeine boost to help improve your focus and concentration.

The bottom line

So, is there a winner in the battle of cortado v americano?

Ultimately, both cortado and americano coffees offer different and unique flavors. For me, it’s not about which I prefer, it is more about what I want at any given time.

Whichever one you choose, the important thing is that you are taking some time out of your day to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee! What could be better?

You are not alone if you struggle to decide which coffee to drink. I am forever changing my mind in mid brew. So I have put together some great coffee vs coffee posts to help you decide. Take a look at these for some inspiration:

Some other great coffees compared

• Americano vs long black coffee. Probably the toughest choice because these seem to be so similar. But are they really?
• Americano vs espresso. Yes americano is made with a shot of espresso, but you would never believe how different it tastes.
• Americano vs cappuccino. Two of the all time classics. I regularly make both and love them. But they are for very different occasions.
• Americano vs latte. Another classic pairing. Yes I love them both and so will you once you have checked out how easy they both are to make.