How to make an Americano at home (machine or phin)

Name: Americano
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 cup
Ingredients: Finely ground coffee · 18 g; Hot water · 120–150 ml; Ice (optional, for an iced Americano)

An Americano is espresso topped up with hot water: a black coffee lighter than espresso that keeps its aroma. This uses a home espresso machine; without one, see the phin tip.

Time 5 min
Difficulty Easy
Serves 1 cup
Espresso machine

Coffee: 18 g (double shot)
Grind: Fine (espresso)
Espresso: 36 g · 25–30 sec
Hot water: 120–150 ml · 85–90 °C
Espresso to water: 1:3 to 1:4

You need

Finely ground coffee · 18 g
Hot water · 120–150 ml
Ice (optional, for an iced Americano)

Method

Let the machine heat up and warm the cup with hot water. Flush the group head for a few seconds.
Put 18 g of finely ground coffee in the portafilter, level it and tamp evenly.
Lock in the portafilter, set the cup on a scale and pull about 36 g of espresso in 25–30 sec.
Pour 120–150 ml of water at about 85–90 °C onto the espresso and stir gently. Taste, and add more water for a lighter cup.
For a long black, put the hot water in the cup first and pull the espresso on top. The crema stays whole and the cup tastes stronger than an Americano.

Tip: No espresso machine: brew a very strong phin with 20 g of coffee and only 50–60 ml of water, then add 100 ml of hot water. For an iced Americano, use cold water instead and pour it over ice.