What is Starbucks Americano? (What it is, Recipe, and How to Order it at Starbucks + More information)

What is an Americano at Starbucks? Many people do not think much about it, but Americanos are more interesting than their simple appearance suggests.

I love ordering Starbucks Americano when I do not know what else to get or when I am not in the mood to explore anything else. Despite its simplicity, however, looking into the Americano revealed interesting tidbits about its history and how to make it, which has led to my greater appreciation for it. Similarly, my aim for you is to help you see beyond its simplicity and view its greatness from a different perspective through this article, starting from the definition of an Americano.

A Starbucks Americano is a beverage that consists of espresso shots diluted with hot water. It does not contain any milk, unlike other coffee drinks. It is also referred to as a Caffe Americano in some places, and it can consist of one or two espresso shots diluted with hot water.

How was Americano invented?

The origins of this drink have an unlikely origin: World War 2. The name of the drink is simply an Italian phrase that means “American coffee”. It arose from American GIs who were based in Italy during the war and who thought Italian espresso was too intense for their taste, so the drink came up as a diluted substitute for the drip coffee they drank in America. They added hot water to the Italian espresso and served it in bigger cups, and this was how it came to be.

The drink is quite popular within the United States, but it is not a common beverage elsewhere, so you will need to explain it if you are ordering it abroad.

What is an Americano Starbucks made of? (Ingredients)

There is a reason this beverage is a Starbucks staple – it is impressively easy to make and does not require a load of ingredients to achieve the results you want.

The drink consists of espresso shots and hot water. The classic Americano will have a light crema layer on its top, which is a brown foam that contributes to its aroma and fullness, and you can maintain this standard by pouring espresso first, then hot water afterward.

Reversing the order by putting hot water first and espresso after will make the crema layer thicker, resulting in a beverage popular in Australia known as a Long Black.

What are the items needed to make an Americano at home?

The first question to answer is how much water you require to make the drink. Instead of one answer, there are some guideline ratios to follow:

• 2:1 – Many establishments use this ratio, and it means you use one shot of espresso to 2 parts of hot water (also known as a double Americano). The result is that the beverage will retain a bitter and dark taste but is slightly lighter than a concentrated espresso. Note that other coffee shops and baristas may alter the ratio slightly.
• 3:1 – If you want the Americano to taste similar to a bitter drip coffee, use this ratio (also known as a triple Americano). This is what Starbucks uses when making their espressos. It means one shot of espresso to 3 parts hot water.

The espresso is also essential to pay attention to when making an Americano, and it does not just mean using strong coffee. Therefore, you will need very dark roast coffee, as this will help you to achieve the characteristic bitter flavor of Americanos.

Additionally, you will require an espresso machine to make the espresso; if you want a more portable option, you can use a smaller espresso maker. An Aeropress is also an option if you are on a very tight budget, although it is not the best choice if you want the classic flavor.

How to make Starbucks Americano?

After knowing the basics of espresso and water, you can quickly make a Starbucks-style Americano at home. The steps to follow are:

1. Know the drink size you want – In most cases, an espresso mug can accommodate a 1-shot Americano. If you want to make an Americano with 2 or 3 shots in the Starbucks style, it is best to use a latte mug.
2. Make the espresso – It is important to use the right coffee to make your espresso. Ensure this is an espresso roast coffee, and you can make it using an Aeropress, a manual espresso maker, or an automated espresso machine.
3. Boiling the water – Boil the water using a teapot. You can use the Starbucks ratio of 3:1, or make the Americano lighter by using a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio.
4. Put the espresso in your cup of choice and add the water, and you will have a Starbucks-style Americano.

How do you order an Americano at Starbucks?

Similar to other Starbucks beverages, you can get Americanos in 4 sizes – the Venti, the Grande, the Tall, and the Short. You will usually get the standard Americano, although you can also get an iced Americano, which is the same as the original but served over ice.

It is worth noting that each drink size will have different espresso shot quantities: The Venti size has four shots, the Grande has three shots, Tall Americanos have 2 shots, and the Short has one shot. Depending on your preferences, you can customize the Americano to have more or fewer shots, and you can also ask the barista how many shots your Americano has if you are unsure.

Final thoughts

The Americano has some humble origins and that is why it is considered a classic. Take some time to try the drink in its various forms from Starbucks or consider making it at home when you have the time.

FAQ Section

How much caffeine is in an Americano?

It usually contains between 60 and 120mg of caffeine on average.

Is an Americano stronger than an espresso?

No, because an Americano’s water composition dilutes its strength compared to an espresso.

Are Americanos good for weight loss?

Yes, it can be good for weight loss, because its calorie count is very low – especially as it does not contain sugar or milk.