Americano Recipe

Preheat

Preheat your 8 oz (about 240 ml) serving cup by rinsing it with hot water. This helps keep the Americano hot longer. Discard the rinse water.

Grind & Dose

Use 18 g of fresh coffee beans. Grind to a fine espresso grind (similar to table salt). Accurate dosing ensures proper strength for an Americano.

Tamp & Brew

Distribute the ground coffee evenly in the portafilter, tamp with consistent pressure (about 15–20 kg of force) until the puck is level. Lock the portafilter into your espresso machine and pull a double shot (~36–40 ml) of espresso. Aim for a 25–30 second extraction from pump start to finish.

Add Hot Water

Pour 170 ml of hot water (90–96°C / 195–205°F) into the preheated cup. Pour water first for a "long black" style to preserve crema, or pour espresso first then add hot water for a traditional Americano. For an 8 oz (240 ml) Americano, combining ~36–40 ml espresso with 170–200 ml hot water yields the correct volume and mild strength.

Stir gently once to combine espresso and water. Taste and adjust.

If desired, add sugar/sweetener to taste and stir until dissolved.

If you prefer milk or cream, add a splash (start with 15–30 ml) and stir. Note: adding dairy increases calories beyond the base 3 kcal.