Americano
Americano, also known as ‘American coffee,’ is a type of coffee drink made by adding hot water to a shot of Espresso.
According to legend, the name ‘Americano‘ originated from American soldiers during World War II, when they were looking for a familiar coffee flavor in a foreign land, so they diluted Espresso with hot water, creating a drink with a similar strength to filter coffee but still retaining the characteristic flavor of Espresso.
The standard ratio of an Americano can vary, from solo, doppio to triplo, with the Espresso-to-water ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:8. Notably, an Americano with a 1:1 ratio is also known as ‘Italiano’ in the U.S. However, the most common version is the Americano doppio, with an Espresso-to-water ratio of 1:4, similar to traditional drip coffee. The standard flavor of an Americano is a blend of the boldness of Espresso and the light dilution from hot water, creating a balanced drink that suits many tastes.