The American G.I.s were simply not fond of the powerful espresso shot preferred by the native Italians. So they opted to reduce the strength by adding warm water to it. As a result, the coffee had the taste and aroma of espresso but the size and texture of a drip coffee.
Since then, the Americano has become so popular that coffeemakers began to include a hot water spout for making Americanos. It’s the most popular non-milky coffee drink in the world right now.
The traditional Americano serving requires double shots of espresso with hot water.
The Recipe Specifications
- Time required: 5 minutes
- Serving size: 12–20 ounces
- Ratio: 1:2 (espresso to hot water)
Equipment
- An espresso machine
- A coffee grinder
- A tamper
Ingredients
- 14–18 grams of fresh espresso beans
- Hot boiling water
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1
Measure out the beans first with the help of a scale for a double espresso shot
Step 2
Grind those beans really fine (ideal for espresso)
Step 3
Tamp the ground coffee properly before inserting the portafilter into your espresso machine’s group head
Step 4
Prepare the espresso and let it all pour into the cup
Step 5
Heat the water to 70-76 degrees Celsius (158-169 degrees Fahrenheit)
Step 6
Pour the hot water over the espresso. Don’t forget to follow the 1 part espresso to 2 parts water ratio
Note: If you put the hot water first and then pour the espresso shot over it, it’ll be a Long Black.
