Americano
Espresso lengthened with hot water — bold but smooth.
- Ratio: ≈1 part espresso : 5 parts water
- Method: Espresso machine + hot water
- Brew time: 3 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
Amounts for 1 serving.
- Espresso: 36 g
- Hot Water: 180 ml
Instructions
- Heat fresh water to just below boiling, around 200°F (93°C).
- Pour the hot water into your cup first — about 180 g for a standard mug.
- Pull a double shot of espresso (about 36 g) directly on top of the water.
- Adding the espresso last preserves the crema as a thin golden layer on the surface.
- Taste and add a splash more hot water if you prefer it lighter.
Why pour the water first
Pouring espresso onto water (rather than water onto espresso) keeps the crema intact and gives a cleaner-looking cup. It is a small detail, but it is the difference between a café Americano and a watery shot. Adjust the ratio to taste: less water for something closer to a long espresso, more water for an easygoing morning cup.
Scale this recipe to your brew
Open Americano with its exact starting amounts, then scale every ingredient for your dose.
Start an Americano with proper espresso
An espresso machine produces the concentrated, crema-topped base that stays bold after you add hot water.
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