Wondering how to make an Americano at home? Here’s a quick and easy recipe for Americano coffee, including instructions for making it hot or iced, just like your favorite coffee shop!
There are countless ways to make coffee and there’s nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned drip brew. But espresso drinks take the flavor profile to a whole new, delicious level.
In fact, using freshly brewed espresso is the secret to making the perfect cafe Americano. But don’t worry, we’re going to teach you how to make an Americano at home, with or without an espresso machine!
Americano coffee is kind of like the more sophisticated, stronger, and tastier version of the classic drip coffee many households brew by the pot every morning. And, once you see how easy it easy to make an Americano at home, and how indulgent it tastes, you’ll be ready to switch up your morning coffee for good!
Here is a quick and easy recipe for Americano coffee, plus instructions for making it hot or iced, just like your favorite coffee shop. We’ve even included some fun add-in ideas – just in case you’re feeling frisky!
Quick and Easy Recipe for Americano Coffee
You will need two things to make the perfect Americano at home: a freshly pulled shot of espresso and some hot water. The true Americano has a ratio of 2:1 or two parts of water to one part espresso. However, you can make it with equal parts of water and espresso if you prefer a stronger Americano.
Here’s how to make an Americano, step-by-step:
- Pull a 3-ounce shot of espresso into its own espresso cup. (See this post for tips on pulling the perfect shot of espresso at home.)
- Pour 6-ounces of hot, nearly boiling, water, into your serving mug.
- Now, slowly pour the espresso into the boiling water and you’re done!
It’s really that easy! If you prefer a stronger Americano, you can simply use two shots of espresso instead of one. Using hot water instead of milk dilutes the boldness and bitterness of the espresso, but it doesn’t mask that amazing espresso flavor we all love.
What is an Iced Americano?
An Iced Americano is simply an Americano coffee made with cold water instead of hot and served over ice. To make an iced Americano at home, place six ounces of cold water in your serving glass, add ice, and pour one or two freshly pulled shots of espresso over top.
If you want to sweeten your iced Americano, add the sweetener to your hot espresso before pouring it into the serving glass. It will dissolve much easier that way.
You can also make a cold brew coffee concentrate to keep in your fridge to make an iced Americano in seconds. Learn how to make cold brew coffee right here.
How to Make an Americano at Home Without an Espresso Machine
Need an Americano recipe that doesn’t require an espresso machine? No worries, we’ve got you covered! Here are three easy ways to make espresso-style coffee without a machine:
- Make Espresso in Your French Press: A French press is an extremely versatile piece of equipment that belongs in every home barista’s kitchen. To make a double shot of espresso-style coffee in a French press, use ¼ cup of nearly boiling water and 3 tablespoons of espresso. See this post for tips on using your French Press to make amazing coffee drinks at home.
- Make Espresso in a Moka Pot: If you don’t have an espresso machine, a Moka pot is the next best thing. Simply fill the bottom chamber with water to just below the valve. Add freshly ground coffee to the basket. Level the grounds, but don’t tamp them.
Put your Moka pot over medium heat until the coffee flows into the top chamber. It usually takes about three minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top chamber is full and foam becomes visible at the spout. Now, assemble your Americano as directed above.
- Make Espresso in an AeroPress: An AeroPress will produce a delicious, bold espresso-style coffee that’s perfect to use in this recipe for Americano coffee. Simply rinse a filter and insert it into the filter cap. Grind 3 tablespoons of coffee and at it to the chamber.
Heat water almost to boiling and slowly pour ¼ cup over the coffee. Give it a gentle swirl to mix. Attach the filter cap, invert the AeroPress over your mug, and push down the plunger.
Does an Americano coffee have milk?
Traditionally, a true American coffee does not have milk. But we say it’s your coffee and you can make it however you want to! Go ahead and add steamed milk, whole milk, or your favorite non-dairy milk substitute to taste, if that’s how you like it!
Americano Coffee Recipe Variations
Yes, we know that a true Americano coffee doesn’t have anything added to it. But it’s your coffee and you can do what you want! These Americano coffee recipe variations are a fun way to mix things up when you want something a little different.
- Sweeteners: There are tons of different sweeteners out there, and each one adds its own flavor. Try making your Americano with pure cane sugar, honey, maple syrup, stevia, or any other sweetener you like. If you’re making an Iced Americano, be sure to dissolve the sweetener in the hot coffee before you add it to the water for best results.
- Coffee Syrups: There are endless coffee syrup flavors to try, from your basic vanilla to tropical fruit flavors and even syrups made to taste just like your favorite liquor (without the alcohol). Check out our guide to the best coffee syrups for tons of mouth-watering ideas.
- Cocoa Powder: Adding cocoa powder to coffee drinks gives them a rich, deep chocolate flavor that’s incredibly indulgent and decadent. Here’s our guide to the best cocoa powders for coffee drinks. Once again, if you’re making an Iced Americano, be sure to dissolve the cocoa powder in the hot espresso before adding it to the water for best results.
- Easy Add-Ins: There are so many things you can add to coffee to change up the flavor. Some of our favorites are chai spices, sea salt, and butter. Check out this post for 13 easy ways to jazz up your Americano with ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Wrapping Things Up: Where did Americano coffee come from?
So, where did Americano coffee come from? Well, it turns out that the Americano, sometimes called the Long Black, was invented by American soldiers during the occupation of Italy in World War II. As you probably already know, Italians love their espresso strong, bitter, and undiluted, which isn’t for the faint of heart.
American soldiers got into the habit of diluting their espresso with hot water to make it less bitter and more like the familiar brew they were used to back home. It also had the added bonus of stretching out the soldiers’ rations, so they lasted longer in the field. The practice became so popular that the drink was officially dubbed the Americano.
