Café Américano or simply Americano (the name is also spelled with varying capitalization and use of diacritics: e.g. café Americano, cafe americano, etc.) is a style of coffee prepared by adding espresso to hot water, giving a similar strength but different flavor from regular drip coffee (the strength of an Americano can vary depending on the number of shots of espresso added). Like espresso, Americano tends to be an acquired taste, and many drinkers prefer it black and unsweetened to fully appreciate the taste of the coffee.
The drink consists of a single or double-shot of espresso combined with up to four or five ounces of hot water in a two-demitasse cup. It is important to note that an Americano is created by adding the water to an already extracted espresso, not by extracting extra water through a single espresso puck. An Americano can be produced from lighter roasted coffees and roasts not generally associated with espresso, such as Ethiopian or Sumatran origins.
Variations
A variation of the beverage is the iced americano. Instead of hot water, the espresso is combined with cold water.
Another variation, found in Canada, is the "Canadiano". This is Café Americano prepared with drip coffee instead of water.
References
See also
Long black - espresso added to hot water (in that order), famous in Australia
Lungo - hot water (passed through the coffee grounds) and added to espresso
