What Is an Americano?

An Americano is a coffee drink made by adding hot water to a shot or two of espresso. It tastes close to regular drip coffee but a little stronger and smoother, and it has a thin layer of foam on top from the espresso.

The history is involved with the story of the Americano. American soldiers in Italy during World War II used to make their espresso taste like the coffee back home, and at that time the name was coined.

You may also see “Americano” on a cocktail menu. That’s a different drink, made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and a splash of soda water. It’s a bit bitter, a bit sweet, and often served over ice with an orange slice.

For a coffee shop owner, the coffee version is a nice little earner. It uses espresso and hot water, so the ingredient cost is low and the margin is high. Guests who like black coffee but want something a step up will order it again and again.

If you serve both kinds, make sure your staff knows which one a guest means. Put “coffee” or “cocktail” in the menu description so you don’t end up with confusion. Also set your espresso shot count clearly, since one shot versus two changes both the taste and your cost.