Skip to main content

Americano vs. espresso: How water changes your coffee experience

Which drink to order and when

Americano coffee
Marisa Buhr Mizunaka / Unsplash

There’s a time and a place for a straight espresso shot, but if you ask me, it’s not an “everyday” coffee. I love espresso and its ultra-strong taste, but sometimes I seek a beverage with more volume to savor it. Even if you order a double shot of espresso, your cup will only contain two ounces — just slightly larger than a liquor shot glass. The Americano solves this problem by delivering the same delicious espresso taste I love with more liquid to drink, thanks to the added water. Below, we’ll break down the true differences between an Americano vs espresso to help you decide which order is best suited for your current mood.

What is espresso?

shots of espresso
Sjcollege / Pixabay

Since you can’t make an Americano without espresso, we should first start by defining espresso. As James Beard, award-winning culinary master from ChefSteps, explains it, espresso, in its simplest definition, is a “coffee brewing method where a small amount of near-boiling water is forced through finely ground coffee under pressure.” Unlike traditional coffee brewing methods, such as with a drip coffee maker, espresso is uniquely characterized by the pressurized brewing method. The combination of finely ground coffee, less liquid, and a pressurized brewing method produces a “shot,” which is much more potent and concentrated than your average cup of coffee.

Recommended Videos

Another component of espresso’s unique characteristics is its “crema.” If you’ve ever looked at a shot of espresso, you’ve probably noticed this small layer of creamy foam that sits on top of the espresso after brewing. It almost looks like the espresso was brewed with milk or cream.

However, this “crema” is not cream; it’s a formulation of small carbon dioxide bubbles that form during the brewing process. As hot water is forced through the finely ground coffee at a very high pressure, carbon dioxide is released from the coffee, and bubbles attach to the natural oils of the coffee. This process leads the tiny bubbles to rise to the top of your espresso shot, forming the “crema.”

What is an Americano?

Americano coffee
The Americano coffee was first born around World War II when American soldiers stationed in Italy sought a less bitter coffee than straight espresso. After all, American soldiers were used to the more balanced brew of standard drip coffee served in America. When soldiers realized Italian espresso was too strong, they experimented by adding water to espresso shots to dilute them. Here, the concept of the Americano was born — a watered-down “cousin” of espresso.
Adding hot water to espresso shots dilutes the flavor and bitterness while adding liquid volume to make the drink bigger. Unlike espresso shots, which are only a few ounces, the standard Americano lies between 10 and 16 ounces today. The water-to-espresso ratio used to make an Americano can vary, but it’s usually made in a 1:2 or 1:3 ratio. The more water you use, the less of a bold espresso flavor the drink will have. The watered-down nature of the drink is one of the key differences between the Americano vs. espresso.

Is an Americano just watered-down espresso?

iced americanoIn the literal definition of an Americano, yes, it is a watered-down version of espresso. However, I hate answering this question because it contributes to the bad reputation of this drink. Many true coffee enthusiasts (especially those in Italy) who have developed the acquired taste of straight espresso find an Americano to taste bad. Some Italians even describe it as “a waste of good espresso.” I can understand this assessment if you don’t enjoy this drink’s milder, diluted taste.

Yet, the watered-down concept of an Americano is also what makes it unique. The drink provides a way for coffee drinkers to experience the flavor of espresso in a more mild-tasting, higher-volume drink. While I can (and sometimes do) drink espresso straight, I much prefer a coffee I can sip on for a while as I work or while in the car. The enjoyment of an espresso shot is short-lived, whereas the enjoyment of an Americano takes some time to savor. Plus, if you’re new to the espresso world, the Americano is the ideal “entry” drink to get your tastebuds more acquainted with the taste of espresso.

Iced americanos

An iced Americano is made the same as a hot Americano, except the drink is poured over ice. As this cold coffee drink melts, the drink begins to have an even more diluted taste. For this reason, I can understand the bad reputation of the iced Americano — as it can sometimes be more watery than other stronger-tasting cold coffees like a cold brew coffee. I still love an iced Americano, but I have requested my drink be made with less water than usual. If you find an iced Americano too watered down, you can also try ordering a double or triple espresso over ice with a touch of water.

Americano vs. espresso

Brewed espresso
Chevanon Photography / Pexels

The basic difference between an Americano vs espresso is the dilution with added water. All in all, a regular shot of espresso will have a much stronger, bolder taste than the slightly less bitter and diluted Americano. Additionally, the difference in serving size sets these two beverages apart. Comparing the caffeine content of these two drinks depends on how many espresso shots are used in each. If an equal number of espresso shots are used, the Americano and espresso will contain the same amount of caffeine.

Emily Caldwell
Emily is a freelance journalist with a focus on food, travel, health, and fitness content. She loves to travel to new…
My first day of summer must-have: Starbucks iced coffee, straight from home
The first day of summer marks the start of iced coffee season
Starbucks

Today, June 20th, marks the first day of summer. I'll happily enjoy iced coffee all year long, but there's no better time for a refreshing glass of iced coffee than in the summer heat. Starbucks At Home has great products to beat the summertime heat with a collection of refreshing iced coffee products that bring the same café flavor right to your home. Available in grocery stores nationwide in a variety of options, including cold brew multi-serve concentrates, iced double espresso pods, and more. Some of the best summer products include:

Starbucks Cold Brew Multi-Serve Concentrates: Available in bold, and refreshing flavors, such as Madagascar Vanilla or a classic Signature Black. Perfect for when you don't want to fuss, add water and ice for a chilled glass of smooth, rich cold brew.
Starbucks Crema Collection Premium Instant Coffee: Just launched in summer-ready flavors like Salted Caramel, Madagascar Vanilla, and Molten Chocolate.
Starbucks by Nespresso Iced Double Espresso Capsules: Perfect for making premium iced espresso at home on the hottest summer days, these capsules pair with Nespresso makers to deliver two shots of espresso specifically designed to brew over ice. Iced Double Espresso Capsules are available in three flavors: Blonde Espresso, Vanilla, and Caramel.
Creamers: Pair your summer iced coffee with Starbucks At Home Creamers, such as the Horchata Shaken Espresso Inspired Oatmilk Creamer and the Irish Cream Inspired Dairy Creamer.

Read more
Experts suggest skipping coffee amid extreme heat warnings
Drinking coffee could lead to dehydration in extreme temps
Man in blue sweater making cup of coffee

Should you skip drinking coffee while in extreme temperatures? This week, experts are warning coffee drinkers to think twice before drinking their morning cup of joe. Experts suggest that Americans in California, Arizona, and Nevada should limit their coffee consumption this week, as these regions are expected to experience extreme temperatures.

The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning for various portions of each of these three states. An Extreme Heat Warning remains in place through 10 pm Thursday for highs in parts of Southern Nevada, ranging from 105 to 115 degrees. Temperatures up to 120 degrees will also be possible in Death Valley, leading to dangerous conditions.

Read more
Can you put vanilla extract in coffee? Here’s why it’s a game-changer
Is vanilla extract or vanilla syrup a better choice?
vanilla extract

Vanilla extract is an ingredient that immediately makes me think of baking -- from vanilla pudding to a simple vanilla birthday cake. Until recently, the thought of adding vanilla extract to coffee hadn't occurred to me. Of course, I've enjoyed a cup of vanilla-flavored coffee many times and used various vanilla coffee syrups. In my coffee research, I recently discovered that adding vanilla extract to instant coffee can enhance its flavor.

While this is true for instant coffee, I wondered how vanilla extract would taste when added to traditional drip coffee drinks. So, can you put vanilla extract in coffee? Here's what to know about using this baking ingredient as a way to upgrade your coffee bar.

Read more