Americano Coffee (Hot or Iced)
Made with just espresso and water, the Americano coffee is simple, but it can also be incredibly rich and flavorful. It’s bold, it’s smooth, and unlike many other espresso drinks, it’s very simple to make at home.
Like the classic espresso drinks (cappuccinos and lattes), it’s all about the ratio of espresso to milk. Or in the case of a homemade Americano, the ratio of espresso to water. The ratio is 1 part espresso to 3-4 parts water, though it’s also easily adjustable, depending on your own personal preference.
The Americano is flavorful, bold, and so simple. 🇺🇸☕️
Like many classic espresso drinks, it’s all about the ratio, but the Americano requires ZERO milk steaming (which is the hardest part of espresso drinks IMO).
This drink originated when American soldiers were stationed in Italy for World War II. The soldiers wanted their caffeine fix, but found a shot of espresso so much stronger than the drip coffee they were used to. So the Italians offered up a “watered-down” drink, which more closely resembled the coffee the soldiers were used to, and the drink was dubbed the Americano.
☕ Simple and smooth: Just espresso and water, no fuss but big flavor. It has so much of a richer flavor than drip or
🏠 Coffee shop at home: It’s easy to master this drink at home, all you need is some quality espresso beans and an espresso machine.
⏱️ Ready in 5 minutes: This drink is quick and easy and faster than driving to the café.
💧 Customizable strength: Control your espresso-to-water ratio easily so it’s just right for you.
🌞 Perfect for mornings: Energizing and delicious.
❄️ Great hot or iced: Works in every season, the iced version is quickly becoming one of my favorite summer drinks.
Also try my dirty chai latte, classic latte, classic cappuccino, shaken espresso.
Emily’s Tip
Use good coffee beans! With simple espresso drinks at home that rely on simple ingredients, it’s really important that you are using good quality beans. I prefer to find a local roaster, but you can also order beans online and many times they will be freshly roasted! Fika and Spyhouse are two of my favorite roasters here in Minnesota, and they both ship. (Go with the Espresso 61 from Fika, plus the Guatemala medium roast for pour overs and the Orion from Spyhouse!)
Americano Coffee Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Drink
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Learn how to make a perfect Americano coffee at home with just two simple ingredients. Bold, smooth, and complex flavors.
Ingredients
- double shot espresso (2 oz.)
- 6–8 oz. water
- ice cubes (for the iced version)
- sweetener and creamer as desired
Instructions
Prep your espresso so it’s ready to brew.
Hot Americano:
Add hot water (just under boiling) to a mug.
Brew espresso directly over the hot water to keep the crema intact. 
Iced Americano:
Brew espresso into an espresso cup. 
Fill a tall glass with ice and top with cold water, leaving room for the espresso.
Pour espresso over water. 
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
- Ingredient notes: Use high-quality espresso beans for best results.
- Special tools: Espresso machine, nespresso, moka pot, or strong coffee maker.
What to Serve with a Homemade Americano
Your breakfast coffee needs some food! Try one of these quick, easy, and nutritious meals – they are staples at our house.
- Toasts – Avocado, ricotta, hummus
- Yogurts and Smoothies – Greek yogurt parfait, peanut butter chocolate smoothie
- Meal Prep – Protein overnight oats, meal prep breakfast boxes
FAQs
There are different opinions on this one. Many recommend one part espresso to 3/4 parts water, but some say the classic ratio is one part espresso to two parts water. Experiment to find the perfect ratio for you.
If you want to keep the crema (foam) intact (I would!), add the espresso to the water. If making a hot Americano, you can brew the espresso right over the hot water. For an iced version, brew the espresso into an espresso cup and then pour over the ice and water.
It really depends on what type of flavor you like in espresso drinks. I personally prefer something a bit more balanced and mellow and use my favorite medium espresso roast beans. But if you like a darker roast, go for a darker espresso blend.
About the Author
Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well every single day, without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
This post may contain affiliate links. They do not add any charge to you, but I will make a very small commission from them. I only link to products I use and recommend. Thank you for your support!