How to Make a Americano
A double shot lengthened with hot water — the clarity of espresso at the volume of a long black coffee.
- Serves
- 1 (8 oz)
- Time
- 3 min
- Skill
- Easy
- Gear
- Espresso machine
Ingredients
- 1 double espresso (36 g)
- 180 ml hot water (90°C / 195°F)
- An 8 oz cup
Method
- 1
Add the hot water to your cup first.
- 2
Pull a fresh double espresso directly over the water — pouring espresso onto water (not water onto espresso) preserves the crema.
- 3
Give it a gentle stir and enjoy.
Best results: For a 'long black', keep the ratio closer to 1:2 espresso-to-water for a more intense, crema-rich cup.
Why it works
The Americano was reputedly born when GIs in WWII Italy lengthened local espresso with hot water to mimic the drip coffee back home. Diluting espresso rather than brewing a large cup keeps the intense, low-acid extraction of a short shot while making it sippable — and unlike drip, you control the strength precisely by how much water you add.
Frequently asked
What's the difference between an Americano and a long black?
Order of assembly. An Americano pours espresso into hot water (or water over the shot); a long black pours the espresso on top last, which keeps more crema and a slightly sharper, more aromatic cup.
Is an Americano stronger than drip coffee?
Similar caffeine for the same volume, but the flavor is cleaner and less bitter because espresso is extracted quickly under pressure rather than steeped for minutes.
Keep brewing
Make it with Moksha
Organic, small-batch coffee — roasted fresh and shipped to your door.