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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Everyday Life • Coffee

Americano (coffee)

An Americano is a coffee drink made by diluting espresso with hot water.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

An Americano is a coffee drink made by diluting espresso with hot water. It offers a milder flavour than straight espresso while retaining its core character.

What it is

An Americano, also called caffè Americano, is an espresso-based drink prepared by adding hot water to one or more shots of espresso. The result is a beverage that is lighter in intensity than straight espresso but still carries the same underlying flavour profile. The name comes from Italian usage meaning “American coffee.”

Origin story

A widespread origin story links the Americano to World War II. According to this account, American soldiers in Italy added hot water to local espresso to make it resemble the drip coffee they were used to at home. This explanation is commonly cited in coffee references, though it is presented as a tradition rather than a fully documented historical fact.

Preparation and ratio

Preparation typically involves pulling one or two shots of espresso and topping up with hot water. Ratios vary by café and personal preference, with common examples ranging from about 1:2 to 1:5 espresso to water, often around 1:3 or 1:4. The drink is served hot and is widely available in Canada.

In short

  • Americano is espresso diluted with hot water.
  • It is milder than straight espresso.
  • A popular origin story links it to American soldiers in WWII Italy.
  • The name means “American coffee” in Italian.
Canadian angle

Americano is a standard coffee-shop drink in Canada, where it is widely available at cafés and restaurant chains. Canadian readers may also encounter the spelling caffè Americano on menus and in coffee terminology.

Quick questions

What is an Americano?
A coffee drink made by adding hot water to espresso.
Why is it called an Americano?
The name is commonly explained as Italian for “American coffee,” referring to a style associated with American preferences.
Is an Americano the same as regular coffee?
No. It is made from espresso diluted with water, not from standard drip brewing.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caff%C3%A8_americano
    Supports: Definition as espresso mixed with hot water; common ratios; alternative names.
  2. NESCAFÉ — https://www.nescafe.com/in/coffee-culture/knowledge/americano
    Supports: Preparation with hot water and espresso; World War II origin story; ratio examples.
  3. Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Americano
    Supports: Dictionary definition of Americano as espresso diluted with hot water.
  4. Lavazza — https://www.lavazzausa.com/en/recipes-and-coffee-hacks/americano-coffee-definition-vocabulary-curiosities
    Supports: Meaning of Americano as Italian for American; typical water amounts; relation to long black.
  5. Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/americano
    Supports: Definition of Americano as coffee made by adding hot water to espresso.
  6. Cafe Du Monde — https://www.cafedumonde.co.uk/academie/guides/types-of-coffee-drinks/americano/
    Supports: Preparation, serving styles, and World War II origin story.