Americano – A Beautiful Mess

An Americano, or Caffè Americano, is probably one of the most popular espresso-based drinks in the world. With only two ingredients (espresso + hot water), it’s simple but with a complex flavor.

The origin of the Americano is a little unclear. I had always heard it was a drink that originated in Italy during World War II. American soldiers trying to order coffee were given this instead, as espresso was more common than filtered coffee. But some sources suggest the drink actually comes from South America long before World War II and was called Café Americano, which is a negative term for weak coffee. (Which kind of makes me think of the term “gringo” too.) But no matter the origin, if you love the flavor of espresso you will love this drink!

Related: Love espresso? Next, learn to make an Espresso Martini, Affogato, or Cappuccino.

Ingredients

As this drink is only two ingredients, the quality of these ingredients matters! Be sure to use freshly roasted beans and filtered water if possible.

Directions

Brew a fresh espresso shot and add it to your coffee mug. Then add hot water to the mug. The ratio of espresso to water should be 1:3 or 1:4.

An Americano does not traditionally contain any milk or sweetener.

More Espresso Recipes:

Home Espresso Makers

We’ve tried many espresso makers over the years, and here are our favorites at different price points and skill levels:

• Cafe Automatic Espresso Machine – My current machine. It uses any whole beans, so if you use high quality beans you’ll get high quality espresso. It makes espresso shots automatically (no barista skills required) and includes a milk frothing wand to heat and froth milk. We’ve used this machine almost every day since we got it nine months ago and we love it! It comes in three colors.
• Stovetop Espresso – This is the cheapest way to make espresso at home. It’s more labor intensive and you will also need a way to grind your beans for best results. But this is a classic method that works great when done well.
• Breville Barista Touch – We bought this for a good friend as a wedding gift once and they said they love it. It’s a higher end machine that you will need some barista skills to operate, but it’s an excellent home espresso maker.
• Nespresso Vertuo – For those who want an espresso maker that uses pods, this is my favorite. Depending what pod you use, it can make espresso or coffee.