8 super recipes for making Americano coffee at home

What is Americano?

Americano is a coffee consisting of espresso diluted with hot water.

To get an Americano, espresso is diluted with hot water in a ratio of 1:1, 1:2 and even 1:4, or until the drink reaches the concentration and volume of a regular filter coffee. The more water, the less rich the drink will be.

Americano history

The first mention of Americano dates back to 1928.

But it gained its popularity in the late 40s, thanks to American soldiers who served in Italy immediately after the Second World War.

The story goes that soldiers thought the espresso was too strong and the portion too small. They often asked to serve espresso with a glass of hot water, and later to completely dilute it so that it resembled the coffee they were used to drinking at home. This drink was given the name “American coffee.”

Flavor profile

Americano has the same flavor notes as espresso, but due to dilution with water, the flavor and aroma are less vibrant.

Similar drinks Americano vs Filter coffee

Americano tastes like filter coffee, but is still inferior in quality. Americano remains popular among coffee shop owners because they can serve the same strength as filter coffee without having to buy additional equipment.

coffee filter

Filter coffee - on the menu of coffee shops can be found under the name: “black”. “regular” (“ordinary”), “batch brew” (from the English batch brew - “batch” of coffee brewed at one time).

Americano and filter coffee theoretically have the same concept. In both cases, this is a large portion of hot and not too strong black coffee. And the principle of preparation for drinks is very similar: hot water is poured through ground coffee. But, as always, the devil is in the details.

espresso extraction

An Americano is made using an Espresso machine, which uses high pressure to force hot water through ground coffee.

home filter coffee maker

When filter coffee is made, hot water flows through the ground coffee by gravity, without pressure, only under the influence of gravity. For this reason, the process of preparing filter coffee takes a little longer, but it is worth it.

Unlike Americano, filter coffee is a cleaner and more balanced drink.

Chocolate

Americano cookies can be made from chocolate dough with pieces of different types of chocolate and salted peanuts. Despite this composition, this dessert is very easy to make.

What ingredients will you need?

For this chocolate treat you need:

• 300g dark chocolate (about 55% cocoa solids);
• 100 g milk chocolate;
• 100 g light muscovado sugar;
• 85 g soft unsalted butter;
• 100 g peanut butter, preferably crispy;
• 1 medium egg;
• 0.5 tsp. vanilla extract;
• 100g self-raising flour;
• 100 g large salted roasted peanuts.

Step-by-step cooking process

Chocolate cookies with two types of chocolate and peanuts are prepared as follows:

1. The oven should be preheated to 180°C.
2. Next, you need to cut 200 g of dark chocolate into rough, irregular pieces. Milk chocolate should be crushed in the same way, but placed separately.

3. Then you need to break the remaining dark chocolate and melt it in a large heatproof bowl in the microwave (on medium power for about 1.5 minutes).
4. Stir the melted chocolate until it turns into a homogeneous liquid mass, then add sugar, butter, peanut butter, egg and vanilla extract and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth.
5. After this, you need to add flour, all the pieces of milk chocolate and half the pieces of dark chocolate and nuts into the mixture (no need to chop). The mixture will be soft to the touch and will flow easily from a spoon when shaken.
6. Next, you should lay out the resulting dough in round piles on baking sheets (2-3 tablespoons for each piece) and stick the remaining pieces of dark chocolate into them.
7. Bake the pieces for 10-12 minutes until they become a little darker around the edges. They will be soft in the middle but crispy as they cool. Allow them to cool and set on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then lift each one with a wide spatula and transfer to a wire rack.

Do you pour espresso into water or water into espresso?

Baristas are still arguing which is better: “pour espresso into water” or vice versa “pour water into espresso”, because both methods have their advantages.

In the first option, when we first pour hot water into a cup, and then pour espresso on top, the drink becomes more aromatic, and the coffee foam – “Crema” – remains on the surface of the cup.

In the second case, when we dilute the finished espresso with boiling water, the “Crema” is destroyed, but the drink turns out to be more balanced and soft, so it looks more like filter coffee.

Although we cannot say which option is better, it is still a matter of taste, but guided by our experience we can definitely say one thing:

As soon as the drink cools to a comfortable temperature and stops burning, the taste evens out and all differences disappear. And, in fact, there is no difference in pouring espresso into water or vice versa, it’s just that in the first case it seems to us that the coffee turns out more aromatic and looks better.

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How to make Americano coffee correctly.

Americano coffee got its name due to its popularity in America due to the craving for a healthy lifestyle: such coffee has a reduced amount of caffeine.

The taste of Americano is also attractive because it is not as rich and cloying as other types of coffee, for example, espresso. The important thing is that coffee prepared according to this recipe has virtually no calories if consumed without sugar and honey.

A good combination of Americano with caramel and mint syrups, milk and cream, which impart a special and delicate taste to coffee. Spices and alcohol are also added to Americano.

Americano as coffee is considered in two types: South American coffee, which is successfully prepared in a coffee maker with a filter (volume 200 ml, temperature 90? C) and Americano in the European style, this is the same espresso, only with the addition of a little boiling water (volume 100 ml, temperature 86?92?C).

Should I add hot water from the coffee machine boiler or not?

If your espresso machine has a boiler, then you can of course pour hot water from it. But if you do not constantly pour boiling water from the coffee machine, the water will stagnate and acquire an unpleasant taste.

espresso coffee machine

However, if you constantly drain hot water from the boiler, the temperature of the water in the coffee machine will be unstable, which will prevent you from making delicious espresso.

It is better to prepare Americano from water heated in a kettle to 80 - 85 degrees. - the drink will be more enjoyable.

Dietary

Americano chocolate cookies can also be made low-calorie. This dessert in small quantities does not harm the figure.

What ingredients will you need?

For the dietary version of Americano cookies you will need:

• 1 tbsp. oatmeal;
• 0.75 tbsp. whole grain flour, sifted and leveled;
• 1.5 tsp. baking powder;
• 1.5 tsp. cinnamon;
• incomplete 0.5 tsp. kosher salt;
• 2 tbsp. l. unsalted butter, melted and cooled;
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract;
• 1 large egg;
• 0.5 tbsp. honey;
• from 0.5 to 0.75 tbsp. dark chocolate pieces, halved.

Step-by-step cooking process

This version of Americano cookies is made like this:

1. The oven must be preheated to 160°C, and a large baking sheet should be covered with a silicone mat or a sheet of parchment.
2. Next, you need to prepare 2 medium bowls, one for dry ingredients, the second for wet ones.
3. In the first container you need to combine oatmeal, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.

4. In another bowl, melt the butter. You don't have to melt it completely, if there are a couple of lumps, that's okay.
5. Then you need to let it cool a little, then add vanilla extract, egg and honey, mix evenly.
6. Next, you need to transfer the oil mixture to the dry ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon until the mass becomes homogeneous (but do not overdo it).
7. After this, you need to put half of the chocolate pieces, mix evenly, then cool the dough for about 30 minutes. or freeze for 15 minutes.
8. After this time, use your hands to form about 15 cookies from the dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet at a distance of about 5 cm from each other.
9. Bake the products in a preheated oven for about 12-13 minutes, or until they begin to brown around the edges.

Then you need to remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press the remaining chocolate pieces into their surface, leave for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to remove bitterness from Americano?

Espresso diluted with water has one disadvantage: the bitterness of the drink increases slightly.

Therefore, once you have finished brewing the Americano, remove it with a spoonful of cream. The crema looks beautiful, but particles of ground coffee remain in it, and because of them the drink is bitter.

Without cream, the taste of Americano becomes much better.

Also try espresso after removing the cream - the difference in taste is noticeable.

To be honest, I like espresso without cream, but I don’t want to do the extra work, so I’m happy to drink it that way. However, in the case of Americano, I think that additional work will not hurt...

— James Hoffman, The World Atlas of Coffee

Gluten-free

As with many baked goods, there is a gluten-free version of Americano cookies.

Preparation next.

What ingredients will you need?

To prepare a gluten-free dessert you need:

• 0.5 tbsp. melted unsalted butter;
• 1 tbsp. l. regular or almond milk;
• 0.75 tbsp. brown sugar;
• 0.25 tbsp. white sugar;
• 1 egg;
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract;
• 1.3 tbsp. all-purpose gluten-free flour (be sure to use varieties that contain xanthan gum);
• 0.25 tbsp. almond flour (30 g);
• 1 tsp. baking soda;
• 0.5 tsp. salt;
• 1 tbsp. pieces of chocolate;
• Flaked sea salt for sprinkling, optional.

Step-by-step cooking process

Gluten-free Americano cookies are prepared as follows:

1. In a small bowl, combine gluten-free and almond flours, baking soda and salt until smooth, set aside.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

3. As soon as it melts, you need to start whisking it constantly. First, the butter will begin to foam, then after a couple of minutes it will brown at the bottom of the pan. Turn off the heat as soon as the solids turn brown and the butter begins to give off a nutty aroma, and transfer it to a glass bowl to prevent it from burning.
4. Then add milk, brown and white sugar to the melted butter and stir well.
5. You also need to put the egg and vanilla extract there and beat until smooth and creamy.
6. Next, add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and, using a rubber spatula, mix everything until smooth, adding chocolate pieces while mixing.
7. Cover the bowl with the dough and leave for 30 minutes.
8. During this time, you need to preheat the oven to 180°C.
9. When the dough has settled, you need to scoop it out in small portions (about 2 tablespoons each) and place it on baking sheets at a distance of about 10 cm from each other.

Bake the gluten-free Americano cookies for 10-12 minutes until the center is golden brown, then let cool for 5 minutes. and transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.

Americano recipe

Americano at home

1. Step. Pour clean, hot water (200 - 250 ml) into a cup, water temperature 80 - 85 degrees. (the kettle should sit for about five minutes after boiling).
2. Step. Make a double espresso using your favorite coffee.
3. Step. Pour espresso into a cup of water.
4. Step. Remove the cream.
5. Step. Americano is ready!

double espresso

Americano with milk

— part of the water for diluting espresso is replaced with milk.

Ice Americano recipe (Americano with ice)

YOU WILL NEED:

• Double espresso
• Cold water - you need to use only half the amount of water that we use when preparing a regular Americano (about 100 ml)
• Ice (100 g)

WE'RE COOKING:

1. Step. Brew espresso
2. Step. Add ice, cold water and an espresso shot to the glass.
3. Step. Iced Americano Ready!

Ice Americano with milk

— part of the water for diluting espresso is replaced with milk and ice.

Methods for preparing Americano coffee

Americano coffee can be prepared using two classic recipes: Swedish and Italian.

Swedish Americano coffee recipe

The essence of the first method is to preserve the foam on the espresso. To do this, first pour water into a large cup, then add espresso in a thin stream. In this simple way, a light foam appears on the coffee, giving the drink the most refined and delicate taste.

It is necessary to pay special attention to the color of the foam: if there are white spots in it, then the amount of caffeine in the finished coffee is too high.

Coffee Americano: Italian recipe

Italian-style Americano coffee is prepared as follows: immediately prepare the espresso, then pour the drink into a large cup and only then dilute it with boiled hot water, while care must be taken to minimize damage to the foam formed during preparation. The complete absence of foam and slightly concentrated taste will make Americano coffee softer.

Recommendations for choosing coffee

Any type of coffee that you can use to make espresso will also taste good in an Americano.

For a versatile Americano : Sweet Chocolate Espresso Blend is ideal for preparing coffee in both espresso machines and filter coffee makers.

Chocolate and Sweet

Sweet Chocolate

The taste is dominated by hazelnuts, grated cocoa, milk chocolate Roaster: COFFEE PROJECT

More about the variety

For traditional Americano ; If you want an Americano with more of the traditional espresso flavors - chocolate! Walnut! Caramel!

Chocolate and Sweet

Brazil Montanari

Aromatic coffee with a classic taste Roaster: M9 Roasters Farmer: Marcello Montanari

More about the variety

Chocolate & Sweet

Brazil Phoenix

Bouquet: dark chocolate, caramel, nuts Roaster: Ingresso

More about the variety

For lovers of dark roast coffee, the Original Americano was invented in Italy, according to tradition, Italian roasts are darker. So if you want to try a more historically accurate version of Americano :-), try darker roasts like:

Roasted & Smoky

Italian Blend Espresso Blend

Bouquet: chocolate, roasted nuts and caramel Roaster: Just Coffee

More about the variety

Decaf Americano We can't forget our decaf lovers. Sweet and drinkable Colombia Huila Decaf with a light tea body in the taste of which you can clearly feel cherry pie with cinnamon, you will like it from the first sip.

Spicy and berry

Colombia Huila Decaf Espresso

Bouquet: cherry pie with cinnamon Roaster: Coffee Lab

More about the variety

Enjoy delicious coffee with us!

— #COFFEEPROJECTTEAM

With chocolate pieces

Americano cookies with chocolate have a special rich taste if you prepare them in compliance with certain rules. For example, instead of chocolate chips, you should use chopped dessert or dark chocolate. It is also important to let the dough rest before baking and form the pieces into uniform sizes. This will ensure an even crispy crust and a tender texture inside.

What ingredients will you need?

For these American style cookies you will need:

• 0.5 tbsp. granulated sugar (100 g);
• 0.5 tbsp. pressed brown sugar (165 g);
• 1 tsp. salt;
• 0.5 tbsp. unsalted butter (115 g), melted;
• 1 egg;
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract;
• 1.25 tbsp. all-purpose flour (155 g);
• 0.5 tsp. baking soda;
• 110 g milk chocolate;
• 110 g dark or dessert chocolate.

Step-by-step cooking process

Cookies with two types of chocolate are prepared as follows:

1. In a large bowl, beat the sugar, salt and butter until a lump-free paste forms.
2. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the mixture thickens.
3. Then you need to sift the flour and baking soda into it and mix with a spatula (being careful, since mixing too vigorously can make the dough tough).
4. After this, add the chocolate pieces and chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. To intensify its flavor, it is recommended to refrigerate it for several hours, ideally overnight.
5. After this time, you need to heat the oven to 180°C.
6. Next, you need to place the dough with an ice cream tray on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving at least 10 cm between the pieces and 5 cm from the sides of the baking sheet so that the cookies can be distributed evenly.
7. Bake the dessert for 12-15 minutes. or until edges begin to brown. The product must be completely cooled before serving.