Americano (coffee)
An Americano is a coffee drink made by diluting espresso with hot water.
An Americano is a coffee drink made by diluting espresso with hot water, resulting in a milder taste than straight espresso while retaining its core flavour profile. The beverage is widely associated with World War II-era accounts involving American soldiers in Italy and is commonly known as caffè Americano, Italian for "American coffee."
Definition
An Americano is an espresso-based drink prepared by combining espresso with hot water. Sources describe it as a way to dilute espresso while preserving much of its character, producing a beverage that is generally lighter in flavour than straight espresso.
Origin
A common origin story holds that American soldiers in Italy during World War II added water to espresso to make it resemble the drip coffee they were accustomed to at home. This account appears in multiple modern coffee references, though it is presented as a tradition rather than a fully documented historical fact.
Preparation and ratio
Preparation typically involves pulling one or two shots of espresso and adding hot water. Reported ratios vary, with examples ranging from about 1:2 to 1:5 espresso to water, depending on café practice and personal preference. Common ratios cited include 1:3 or 1:4.
Related drinks
The Americano is often compared with drip coffee because of its similar strength and volume, but it is made from espresso rather than brewed grounds. Some sources also note its similarity to the long black, a related drink in which espresso and water are combined.
Key facts
- An Americano is made by adding hot water to espresso.
- It is also called caffè Americano or simply americano.
- The drink is commonly described as having a lighter flavour than straight espresso.
- A widespread origin story links the drink to American soldiers in Italy during World War II.
- Typical ratios range from about 1:3 to 1:4 espresso to water, though serving ratios vary.
Americano is a standard coffee-shop drink in Canada, where it is widely available at cafés and restaurant chains. Canadian readers may also encounter the spelling caffè Americano on menus and in coffee terminology.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Americano?
Why is it called an Americano?
Is an Americano the same as regular coffee?
How strong is an Americano?
Where did the Americano come from?
References
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caff%C3%A8_americanoSupports: Definition as espresso mixed with hot water; common ratios; alternative names.
- NESCAFÉ — https://www.nescafe.com/in/coffee-culture/knowledge/americanoSupports: Preparation with hot water and espresso; World War II origin story; ratio examples.
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/AmericanoSupports: Dictionary definition of Americano as espresso diluted with hot water.
- Lavazza — https://www.lavazzausa.com/en/recipes-and-coffee-hacks/americano-coffee-definition-vocabulary-curiositiesSupports: Meaning of Americano as Italian for American; typical water amounts; relation to long black.
- Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/americanoSupports: Definition of Americano as coffee made by adding hot water to espresso.
- Cafe Du Monde — https://www.cafedumonde.co.uk/academie/guides/types-of-coffee-drinks/americano/Supports: Preparation, serving styles, and World War II origin story.