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Quick answer: Espresso is a short, concentrated shot (25-35ml) with intense flavour and thick crema. An Americano is that same espresso diluted with 100-150ml of hot water — producing a longer, milder drink closer in volume to filter coffee but with espresso’s characteristic body. Neither is better; they suit different preferences and occasions.
🔗 See all coffee drinks explained: Our complete guide to every espresso drink covers all the major varieties with exact ratios and comparisons.
The Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Espresso | Americano |
|---|---|---|
| Volume | 25-35ml | 150-200ml |
| Strength | Very strong | Medium |
| Flavour | Intense, concentrated | Milder, longer |
| Crema | Thick layer on top | Light, disperses in water |
| Caffeine | 60-80mg per shot | Same — water adds no caffeine |
| Brewing time | 25-30 seconds | 25-30 sec + water addition |
What Is an Espresso?
Espresso is coffee brewed by forcing hot water at approximately 9 bar of pressure through finely ground coffee in 25-30 seconds. The result is a concentrated shot of approximately 25-35ml with a thick reddish-brown crema on top. It’s intense, flavourful, and designed to be drunk immediately before the crema dissipates — typically in two or three sips.
A single espresso contains approximately 60-80mg of caffeine. A double (the standard base for most milk drinks) contains 120-160mg.
What Is an Americano?
An Americano is a double espresso with hot water added — typically 100-150ml of water — to produce a drink of approximately 150-200ml total. The water dilutes the espresso’s intensity while preserving its characteristic body and, initially, its crema as a light layer on the surface.
The caffeine content is identical to the espresso it’s based on — adding water changes the volume and concentration but not the total caffeine. An Americano from a double espresso contains the same caffeine as that double espresso drunk straight.
Does an Americano Taste Like Filter Coffee?
Not exactly. Both are black coffee, but the extraction process is fundamentally different. Espresso’s high-pressure extraction produces different flavour compounds than drip or filter brewing — an Americano retains espresso’s characteristic body and crema that filter coffee lacks. It also has a slightly different acidity profile. Most drinkers find an Americano more complex and rounded than a standard filter coffee, and more approachable than a straight espresso.
Which Should You Make at Home?
- Choose espresso if: You enjoy intense, concentrated flavour and want the most authentic espresso experience. You’re practicing dialling in your machine and want to taste the espresso clearly.
- Choose an Americano if: You want a longer drink without adding milk. You find straight espresso too intense. You want to replicate the experience of a regular coffee but from an espresso machine.
The Bottom Line
An Americano is simply espresso with water — not a different drink with different beans or a different brewing process. The choice between them is entirely about volume and intensity preference. If you’re buying a machine to make Americanos, any machine capable of pulling a good espresso will make a good Americano — the water addition is trivial.
See our machine buying guide for recommendations, or our espresso technique guide for pulling consistently good shots to base your Americano on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Americano have more caffeine than an espresso?
No — they have identical caffeine content if based on the same espresso. Water adds volume but no caffeine. A double espresso contains approximately 120-160mg of caffeine whether drunk as a straight double or diluted into an Americano.
Should I add water before or after pulling the espresso?
Adding hot water to the cup first, then pulling the espresso on top, preserves the crema as a visible layer on the surface and looks better. Adding espresso first then water mixes everything together but produces the same taste. Both methods are correct — the first is more traditional.
What is a long black — is it the same as an Americano?
A long black is the Australian and New Zealand term for what is essentially the same drink — espresso added to hot water. The key distinction some cafes make is that a long black has the espresso pulled on top of the water (preserving crema), while an Americano has water added to espresso. In practice the terms are often used interchangeably in the UK.