Americano

Espresso lengthened with hot water. Flavour of espresso, body of filter coffee. Typically a double shot stretched to a mug.

Method

Espresso

Typical volume

240 ml

Caffeine

130 mg

A reference figure for the drink, not a measurement of your cup.

Americano preparation

Pull a double espresso (18g in, 36g out) into a separate cup.
Heat 150-180ml of water to 90-93°C and pour it into a warmed 240ml mug.
Add the espresso to the water, never water through the shot - pouring over the crema scalds it and flattens the drink.
Taste before lengthening further; 1:5 espresso to water is the useful ceiling.

Water first is the whole trick. If you only have one cup, pull the shot and then top up gently down the side.