Did you know that espresso with water is called an Americano?

Taking an espresso shot and adding water to it is my favorite way to make a large cup of coffee when I’m at the office. It’s fast, easy, and delicious.
It’s also a good way to be able to enjoy espresso without all of the added sugar and calories.

The definition of an Americano varies depending on who you ask. Some say that it’s a shot of espresso added to hot water (Which is actually called a Black Eye), while others think that it’s the ratio of 1/3 espresso and 2/3 water that define the Americano.

There are also those who believe that adding milk makes it an americano, which we’re not going to get into. Because that’s just crazy talk.

Random fun fact, legend has it that Italian inventor Luigi Bezzera invented espresso after becoming frustrated with his current method of brewing coffee.

How much water should you use for an Americano?

I recommend using one part espresso and 2 parts water. This will make a balanced Americano with a rich, creamy taste.

Since I am from Europe I’ll use the metric system 🙂

One cup of espresso is approximate 35ml

I will then add approximately 110-125 ml of hot water.

This is my preferred way of making the best coffee drink on earth; the Americano or simply put. An espresso with water.

And just to sum up the basics about espresso:

How much water do you use for one cup of espresso?

In order to make a single espresso (not a double) you’ll need approximately 18 grams of finely grounded coffee, an espresso machine, and a yield of 32-38 grams of liquid.

The most important thing to know about making an espresso is that it’s not like making drip coffee. You can’t just pour hot water over ground coffee and expect a good result. There are many variables at play in order to get the perfect cup of espresso, including grind size, dose, brew ratio, time, and temperature.

Plus you need an espresso maker.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to make a single espresso then check out our blog post on How To Make A Single Espresso! It goes into detail on all of these factors so that you can learn how to make your own perfect shot every time.

Let also look into what type of water is best for your espresso machine.

The water you use for espresso brewing is very important. It needs to be fresh, clean and chlorine-free. Depending on where you live tap or city water should not be used as it often contains chemicals that can leave a bitter taste in your espresso.

Filtered or mineral water is often better as these type of water sources is cleaner and without calcium (hard water).

Even when your water source is perfectly fine, as it is where I live. We still have a lot of calcium in the water. So if I don’t filter my water before using it, I would have to descale my espresso machine every 2 weeks.

Descaling is an essential step that ensures your espresso machine delivers the best coffee. Adhere to these instructions and descale when necessary.

Sorry for the rant about water, I just hate descaling my espresso machine too often.

Wrapping up

As you can see, it easy to make a cup of coffee by adding some water to espresso. So the next time you’re in the mood for coffee, try making yourself an Americano!

It’s super easy and tastes great. You can even add some cream or sugar if you want to sweeten it up. Enjoy your new favorite drink!