How to Make an Americano Like a Barista
Updated Mar 07, 2026
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Americano is a simple drink made with espresso and hot water. See how to properly make it at home.
Americano
Americano (or Caffe Americano) is a coffee drink made with just two ingredients, espresso and hot water. It’s basically espresso diluted in hot water so it’s similar to brewed coffee made in a coffee machine. Any coffee shop with an espresso machine can make an Americano even if you don’t see it on the menu.
There is no set amount of water or number of espresso shots needed to call it an Americano. When you add water to espresso, it’s an Americano so feel free to customize it however you like.
Note from Jee
In South Korea, Americano is the most popular coffee drink and they have a shortened name for it.
Americanos are called “Ah” as in Ah-mericano. Iced Americanos are “Ah-Ah”as in Ah-ced Ah-mericano.
They’re drank without any sugar or milk so it’s for those that love the pure taste of coffee.
Ingredient Notes
- Espresso: It’s not an Americano unless it’s made with espresso. Make espresso using a Nespresso or espresso machine.
- Water: The only other ingredient to make an Americano is water, so try to use filtered water if possible.
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Pour hot water into a mug, leaving room for the espresso.
Always put hot water into the mug first, then the espresso so that the crema (espresso froth) can sit on top to make it the traditional and correct way.
Step 2: Add espresso.
Drink as is, or add milk and sugar.
Double or Triple Americano?
The number in front of the Americano refers to the number of espresso shots in the drink. A double Americano will have two shots, a triple will have three, and so on. A coffee shop that’s not Starbucks will usually make an Americano with double shots of espresso.
Differences Between Americano and Regular Black Coffee
Espresso/Coffee
Americano is made with espresso while black brewed coffee is made in a coffee/drip machine. Americanos have a noticeably heavier body and richer flavor.
Drink size
Americanos are generally ordered in the same sizes as you would order regular black coffee, between 12 and 20 ounces.
Crema
Because espresso is extracted using pressure, there will be a layer of crema on top of the drink, which you won’t see in brewed coffee.
Nespresso Notes
A Nespresso machine is the easiest way to make Americanos and lattes at home.
1 shot of espresso = 1 Nespresso espresso capsule
This Americano recipe makes a 16 ounce (Starbucks grande size) drink using 3 espresso shots. This means you’ll need 3 Nespresso capsules. You can also use 1 Vertuo double espresso capsule or 3 ristretto capsules.
Make sure the Nespresso capsules are espresso capsules, not the coffee/mug capsules that makes a full cup of coffee.
Americanos at Starbucks
Starbucks doesn’t follow the traditional method in making an Americano. Instead of topping the hot water with espresso, they make the espresso in the cup, then add hot water. This means there is little crema at the top of the cup.
At Starbucks, Americanos come in four sizes and each size drink comes with a different number of shots. The short size has one shot of espresso, the tall has two, the grande has three, and the venti has four.
Caffeine
An Americano with a double shot of espresso has about 60 mg of caffeine, which is roughly the same amount of caffeine as a 6 ounce cup of coffee (about 71 mg).
No Espresso?
If you don’t have espresso, you can use instant coffee. Combine 1 ½ tablespoons of instant coffee and ⅓ cup hot water to replace the 3 shots of espresso in the recipe. Just a note that since espresso isn’t in the drink, it’s not technically an Americano.
Related
- Iced Americano
- Caramel Macchiato
- Iced Shaken Espresso
- Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
- Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso
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How to Make an Americano
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups hot water
- 3 capsules Nespresso espresso, or 3 espresso shots
Instructions
- Pour hot water into a mug, leaving room for the espresso.Always put hot water into the mug first, then the espresso so that the crema (espresso froth) can sit on top to make it the traditional and correct way.1 ½ cups hot water
- Add espresso to the hot water.Drink as is, or add milk and sugar.3 capsules Nespresso espresso
Notes
- This Americano recipe makes a 16 ounce (Starbucks grande size) drink using 3 espresso shots. This means you’ll need 3 Nespresso capsules.
- If you don’t have espresso, you can use instant coffee. Combine 1 ½ tablespoons of instant coffee and ⅓ cup hot water to replace the 3 shots of espresso in the recipe. Just a note that since espresso isn’t in the drink, it’s not technically an Americano.
- There is no set amount of water or number of espresso shots needed to call it an Americano. When you add water to espresso, it’s an Americano so feel free to customize it however you like.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
