What is an americano: brew and enjoy

An americano coffee is a popular choice for coffee lovers around the world. But what is an Americano coffee, and where did it come from?

Origins of americano coffee

The americano coffee originated during World War II. American soldiers stationed in Italy, missing their normal drip coffee, would add hot water to their espressos. Attempting to recreate their preferred American coffee.

American drip coffee is served in large cups, and the soldiers wanted some comforts of home while far away. Italian café owners, seeing a ready market, satisfied this demand. So the Americano was born. As more and more American soldiers discovered this drink it soon reached iconic status. Eventually spreading around Italy and then the world.

What is an Americano?

An Americano coffee is simply a shot of espresso diluted with hot water. Given how simple this sounds, it is remarkable that it has gained such popularity around the world. It is now one of the most popular black coffee drinks available.

Despite this long association, Americano coffee is not the regular cup of coffee most Americans enjoy each day. An Americano coffee is stronger and has a deeper flavor than drip coffee.

The difference lies in how the Americano is prepared, and especially in the coffee-to-water ratio. This varies depending on personal preference but is typically 1:1 or 1:2. Most commonly enjoyed as a single shot of espresso added to hot water. But twice as good when made with a double espresso poured over hot water.

Pouring expresso coffee over the hot water allows it to keep its distinctive foamy crema and stops the hot water from scalding the expresso. this helps keep a fuller flavor experience.

Both in coffee shops and at home, Americano coffee is most often made by making an espresso, then simply topping up with hot water.

While this is more convenient, why not try the original: pour the expresso over the hot water.

And why not go even further and make a double shot of espresso to pour over the water.

A double shot of espresso makes a drink with the deep strength of a good espresso, tempered and smoothed out by the hot water. And yes, the more shots of espresso you add the stronger the taste. Just remember, at some point, you may want to sleep!

What you need to make an americano

For a true Americano experience, you have to use rich full-bodied coffee beans otherwise you will just dilute out all the flavor of a less robust choice.

Why not try a dark roasted arabica-robusta blend – the punch and depth of the robusta works well with the smoother lighter flavor notes of the arabica.

Always look out for coffee blends made especially for making espresso. The skill in blending ensures the quality of the coffee drink produced. Roasting coffee beans for espresso demands a longer roast, resulting in a darker color bean with a more developed deeper flavor.

To make espresso worth its name, you have to use an espresso machine. Espresso is made by pushing water through tight packed coffee grounds under pressure for fast extraction. This releases maximum flavor, resulting in an intense brew.

if you don’t have the space or funds for your own espresso machine, you can make great espresso shots using whatever coffee maker you do have. Just check out How to make espresso without a machine.

Best coffee for americano

Although its a long coffee drink, americano starts with one or two shots of espresso. I recommend using the best quality, and freshest, espresso beans you can find. The best quality speaks for itself, but why do you need fresh coffee beans?

The answers is, as soon as coffee is roasted the beans start to react with the air making them less aromatic and flavourful – like all foods. Yes, this can be delayed with airtight packaging, but it cannot be completely stopped.

So always try to check the roasting date on the coffee beans you buy, and go with the most recent date.

The choice of brand and darkness of roast depend on how you enjoy your americano coffee. I prefer a bold dark roast 100% arabica coffee. This gives the drink a strong full flavor with some hints of bitterness, plus it can handle a greater amount of water. So I can fill my mug and still get a long enjoyable cup of joe.

If you prefer all the flavor and aromas, but with less bitterness, choose medium or light roast coffee beans.

Making an americano at home

Equipment

• Espresso machine Or coffee maker of your choice
• cup or mug
• spoon

Ingredients

• 18-20 grams coffee beans (dark roast) For a softer less bitter flavor use medium or light roast coffee beans.
• ¾ cup hot water 170°F (about 76°C)

Method

• Weigh the coffee beans and grind – you are aiming for a fine ground for this drink.

If you have an espresso machine

• Brew a single or double espresso (depending on the strength of coffee you want to drink.

Without an espresso machine

• Use your regular coffee maker to brew a strong short coffee.Add 18-20 grams of fresh ground coffee then pour over about 85 grams of water you have heated to 170°F (about 76°C).Allow to brew for the appropriate time for your coffee maker.

Finishing your americano

• Once brewed, pour the espresso into a suitable sized mug, leaving enough room to add the hot water.
• pour over the hot water, and stir.

Top Tips for making an Americano at home

If you do not have an espresso machine, then you need to be able to make a short strong coffee with another type of coffee maker.I recommend using any of the following:

• French press 
• AeroPress
• Moka pot
• Pour over

But if all else fails you can use instant coffee.

Whichever method you use, make sure to brew a strong coffee. 

Remember: When you add 3/4 cup of hot water, it will dilute the brewed coffee a lot. That’s OK for an espresso but if you do not start with a really strong coffee, you can end up with something too weak to enjoy.

How to make americano without an expensive espresso machine

As you know, the starting point for a great americano is a great espresso. But, we are not all blessed with the money and space to house an expensive espresso maker.

Do not let this put you off. I have made great americanos without my beloved espresso machine. You just have to remember you are aiming to make a really strong, very short coffee.

Think in terms of a brewed double shot of espresso is about 3fl oz (about 85 grams). So you need to make a very small amount of coffee.

If you have access to one, try using a hand-pump espresso machine. These are not expensive and are able to create a pressurized extraction of the coffee. Other good alternatives are either an AeroPress or check out my post on how to make espresso with a French press.

I have made great americanos with both AeroPress and French press. Plus they are cheap and simple coffee makers which are easy to keep clean. Even better they are really portable. I have taken both hiking – imagine going hiking with an espresso machine. It would be impossible!

For more inexpensive ways of making an espresso check out my review of How to make espresso without a machine.