How to Make an Americano
Of all the variations of coffee I enjoy, most mornings, I brew an Americano on my espresso machine (which I love!). Because I only have one cup of coffee a day, I like to make it a really good one. An Americano is brewed espresso stretched with hot water, per your preferred ratio. Popular wisdom says that this variation came about in WWII when American soldiers in Italy were missing American-style brewed coffee. Here’s how I make my perfect morning cup.
1. Fill your mug with hot water to warm it. If you are brewing espresso on a machine (versus pods), warm your portafilter by running hot water from your machine through it. Empty mug before brewing.
2. Brew a double shot of espresso directly into your warmed mug.
3. Add hot water to your double shot. I add about 6 oz of water (I count 10 Mississippis).
I like my coffee a little stronger, so play around until you find your perfect taste. Before I knew better, almost everywhere I have ever ordered an Americano from had been way too watery. I just assumed I just didn’t like Americanos until I made one myself.
Once brewed, I add a little half & half, plus some raw sugar or a pump of Starbucks caramel syrup.
Genevieve ~ I can hardly wait for each beesandbubbles post! I think I enjoy and anticipate your photos as much as the notes! I am sipping on an iced Americano in a plastic cup from the hotel’s barista bar as I read this, thinking how much better it would be in your darling mug! X O
Thank you for your lovely comment! I can absolutely confirm that it always tastes just a little bit better when enjoyed from a pretty piece of china!