How to make an Americano at Home With 4 Easy Methods

Liputan6.com, Jakarta How to make an Americano? If you like black coffee but want a smooth taste, an Americano is a good choice. This coffee mixes strong coffee with hot water. It keeps the coffee flavor but is less strong than espresso. Many people like its clean taste.

An Americano comes from espresso and water. Make a strong coffee shot first. Then add hot water to reach the size you want. The water lowers the intensity but keeps the aroma. The classic americano use one part of espresso and two parts of water ratio. However, you can change the water amount to make it mild or strong. This is the simple idea behind an Americano.

In this article, we will learn how to make an Americano with the espresso machine. If you don't have an espresso machine at home, don't worry. We will also learn how to make this classic drink with a French press, a moka pot, and an AeroPress. We gathered these guides from various sources, Wednesday (17/9/2025).

The traditional way to make an americano uses an espresso machine. If you have one at home, here's how to make an americano:

1. Prepare equipment: Warm your cup and have fresh water ready. Turn on the espresso machine so it heats up.

2. Grind coffee: Use a fine espresso grind. Weigh 18–20 grams for a double shot. Fresh grind gives a better aroma.

3. Dose and tamp: Put the coffee in the portafilter. Tamp it evenly and with medium pressure.

4. Brew espresso: Start the shot. Aim for 25–30 seconds for a double shot. You should get about 30–40 ml of espresso.

5. Heat water: While the shot brews, heat water to about 90–95°C (195–205°F). Do not boil the water.

6. Combine: Pour the hot water into the cup first or after the shot. A common ratio is 1 part espresso to 2 parts water. Adjust to taste.

7. Serve: Stir gently. Taste and add a small amount of milk or sugar if you like.

This method shows how to make an Americano without an espresso machine. A moka pot makes strong coffee that can stand in for espresso. Here is how to make an Americano using a moka pot.

1. Fill the bottom: Add fresh water up to the safety valve in the Moka pot.

2. Add coffee: Use a fine-to-medium grind. Fill the filter basket without pressing the grounds.

3. Assemble and heat: Screw the parts together. Place the moka pot on low-medium heat.

4. Brew: Wait until the coffee rises into the top chamber. When you hear a hissing sound, remove it from the heat.

5. Heat water: Warm water separately to near boiling and let it cool a moment.

6. Mix: Pour one or two small moka pot servings (strong coffee) into a cup. Add hot water to reach the size you want. Use about 1 part moka coffee to 2 parts water as a start.

7. Adjust: Taste and change the ratio for a milder or stronger cup.

You can make a simple Americano with a French press by making a strong coffee concentrate. This way is clear and needs no special machine. The steps below explain how to make an Americano with a French press.

1. Heat water: Bring water to about 92–96°C (just below boiling).

2. Grind coffee: Use a medium-coarse grind. Use more coffee than usual to make a strong brew (for example, double the normal amount).

3. Add coffee: Place the coffee into the French press carafe.

4. Add a little water: Pour a small amount of hot water to wet the grounds and wait 30 seconds. This helps bloom the coffee.

5. Full pour and steep: Add the rest of the hot water and stir gently. Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes for a strong cup.

6. Press: Slowly press the plunger down and pour the concentrate into a cup.

7. Dilute: Add hot water to the concentrate until you reach your desired strength. Start with 1 part concentrate to 2 parts hot water.

8. Serve: Stir and enjoy. Change steep time or coffee amount to adjust taste.

The AeroPress can make a clean and quick Americano-style drink. It can make a concentrated coffee that works well when you add hot water. Here is how to make an Americano with an AeroPress.

1. Set up: Place a filter in the cap and rinse it with hot water. Use an AeroPress in the standard or inverted method.

2. Grind coffee: Use a fine to medium-fine grind for a strong extract. Measure about 14–18 grams of coffee.

3. Add coffee: Put the coffee into the AeroPress chamber.

4. Add water: Pour hot water (about 85–92°C) up to the marked level for a concentrated brew.

5. Stir and steep: Stir for 10–20 seconds and then wait 30–60 seconds, depending on your taste.

6. Press: Attach the cap and press slowly to extract the coffee into a cup.

7. Heat water: Prepare hot water while you press. Use the same temperature as before.

8. Mix: Add hot water to the AeroPress coffee to make the Americano strength you like. A 1:2 ratio is a good start.

9. Enjoy: Taste and change the coffee amount, steep time, or water ratio to find your best cup.