A hot Starbucks Americano is only made with espresso and water. See how simple it is to make this hot 2-ingredient drink at home.
Homemade Starbucks Americano
An Americano is a caffeinated coffee drink made with espresso and hot water.
In a traditional Americano, espresso is poured on top of hot water. This makes it so the water does not break up the espresso’s crema.
At Starbucks, the baristas make it in the opposite order, pouring the espresso into the mug first, then adding hot water to dilute it. Making an Americano the Starbucks way will result in less crema, but the overall taste will be the same.
Since Americanos are diluted espressos, they are a great way to enjoy the flavor of espresso without the intensity.
There is no set amount of water needed to call it an Americano. If you add water to an espresso, it’s considered an Americano.
Americanos are served without any milk or syrups, but you can make it however you like it at home.
RELATED: How to Make an Americano
Recipe Highlights
- This simple recipe is an exact copycat of how it’s made at Starbucks.
- An Americano only has 2 ingredients: espresso and hot water. It’s one of the easiest espresso drinks to make.
- A Nespresso machine is a super easy and mess-free way to make this drink at home.
RELATED: How to Make an Iced Americano
Ingredient Notes
- Starbucks Espresso
Make espresso fresh for the best taste using a Nespresso or espresso machine. Use the Starbucks espresso for the closest flavor. You can also use Starbucks blonde espresso. - Water
The only other ingredient in an Americano is water, so try to use hot filtered water if possible.
Step-by-Step Instructions
For full ingredients and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Pour espresso into a mug.
- Add hot water.
Nespresso Notes
To make espresso at home quickly, use a Nespresso machine.
1 shot of espresso = 1 Nespresso espresso capsule
The Starbucks Americano is made with 3 espresso shots, so you’ll need 3 capsules. However, feel free to adjust the number of shots by using more or less depending on your preference.
The drink will taste more like at the one at Starbucks if you use Starbucks Nespresso capsules, which are made by Nespresso.
Recipe Notes
Starbucks makes Americanos differently than the traditional method.
Traditional hot Americanos are made by adding espresso shots to hot water. Starbucks does it in the opposite order.
Starbucks start with espresso shots and add hot water after.
Customize the strength of your Americano.
Add more or less water to dilute the espresso to your preferred strength.
You must use espresso for this drink to be called an Americano.
If you use brewed coffee instead of espresso, the drink is no longer an Americano.
Expert Tips
- Starbucks serves Americanos without milk or sweeteners, but you can add anything you like at home. Try your favorite milk or recreate Starbucks classic syrup.
- Make the espresso fresh for the best flavor.
- Starbucks uses a dark roast espresso to make Americanos, but you can use any type of espresso you prefer, like a blonde or medium roast.
Questions You May Have
The Starbucks Americano is an Italian interpretation of American coffee that swaps out milk with hot water for a simple espresso drink.
A Starbucks Americano tastes rich and deep. It has a lighter flavor than straight espresso because it is diluted with water.
At Starbucks, a grande-sized Americano has 225 mg of caffeine and a grande-sized brewed coffee can have up to 330 mg of caffeine.
Yes! While an Americano is typically served without milk, you can customize the drink however when making it at home.
Related
- How to Make a Latte and How to Order It at Starbucks
- How to Make Espresso
- Starbucks Latte Copycat
- Starbucks Mocha Copycat
- Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Copycat
- Starbucks Iced Americano Copycat
- 17 Hot Coffee Recipes
Starbucks Americano
INGREDIENTS
- 3 capsules Nespresso Starbucks espresso (or 3 espresso shots)
- 1 ½ cups hot water
INSTRUCTIONS
- Pour 3 shots of espresso into a mug.Use 3 Nespresso Starbucks espresso pods or pull 3 shots from an espresso machine.
- Add hot water.The water temperature can be adjusted to how hot you like your coffee.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- The Starbucks Americano is made with 3 espresso shots, so you’ll need 3 capsules. However, feel free to adjust the number of shots by using more or less depending on your preference.
- Make the espresso fresh for the best taste.
- The only other ingredient in an Americano is water, so try to use hot filtered if possible.
- Add more or less water to dilute the espresso to your preferred strength.
- Starbucks serves Americanos without milk or sweeteners, but you can add anything you like at home. Try your favorite milk or recreate Starbucks classic syrup.
- Starbucks uses a dark roast espresso to make Americanos, but you can use any type of espresso you prefer, like a blonde or medium roast.