Americano

Diluted espresso classic

The Americano, with its origins dating back to World War II, emerged when American soldiers stationed in Italy sought to approximate the familiar drip coffee they knew from home. The story goes that they would dilute the strong Italian espresso with hot water to create a drink that more closely resembled American-style coffee. This practice quickly caught on and became a standard offering in cafes worldwide, bridging the gap between European and American coffee cultures.

The preparation of an Americano is deceivingly simple, yet requires attention to detail to achieve the perfect balance. The order of components is crucial - adding the hot water first and then pulling the espresso shot on top helps preserve the crema, creating a more visually appealing and flavorful drink. The resulting beverage maintains the complexity and richness of espresso while offering a longer, more contemplative drinking experience similar to drip coffee. The water-to-espresso ratio can be adjusted to accommodate individual preferences, typically ranging from 2:1 to 3:1.