Americano Vs Black Coffee: Know The Differences

Many people think of an Americano as the same thing as black coffee, but these two drinks couldn’t be more different. Find out what sets each of these traditional coffee drinks as we decode the differences between an Americano vs black coffee.

Americano vs black coffee featured image.

Have you ever visited your favorite cafe only to find that your usual brew is not being served that day? Another great option for coffee drinkers is the classic café Americano. Its robust flavor profile makes it an awesome alternative to black coffee, but what is the difference between these two drinks?

In this guide, we’ll discuss the ins and outs of what makes black coffee vs Americano so different.

Origin of the Americano

Some people mistake the Americano for strong coffee because it has an intense flavor yet this cafe favorite is its own unique drink.

This beverage is believed to be an invention of Italian cafe owners during World War II. American soldiers found the Italian espresso too strong and would order it with water thereby giving birth to the legacy of the caffé Americano.

Today the Americano is enjoyed by far more than just soldiers! The tradition lives on in coffee shops around the world.

So What Does an Americano Entail?

A traditional Americano coffee is made simply of two ingredients: espresso, and water. It is a simple beverage that is all about highlighting the tasting notes in fresh espresso.

To make an Americano, fresh coffee beans are finely ground. The coffee grounds are then pressed into a specialized metal espresso filter and then hot, pressurized water is forced through the coffee to make the espresso shots. Finally, the fresh shots of espresso are mixed with water and served immediately.

This espresso-based drink can be enjoyed hot or cold. When preparing it hot, baristas will add hot water to the espresso; whereas, iced Americanos are often prepared by pulling the shots directly over ice. The ice will melt down to make the perfect cold coffee.

Although Americanos are favored for their bolder flavor and thicker texture, many people enjoy this espresso drink with some add-ins like syrups or dairy free milk.

What Defines Black Coffee?

A cup of coffee has been the go-to morning caffeine boost for people around the world for centuries. Black coffee is a great way to highlight all the delicious tasting notes in your favorite ground coffee beans without diluting their complex flavor profiles.

Like an Americano, black coffee is also made with only two simple ingredients, yet it has a little more ambiguity than an Americano. What makes coffee different and gives it variety are the preparation methods.

An Americano must be made using beans brewed with the espresso method; however, regular black coffee can be made using any brewing process outside of espresso. Traditional black coffee can be made using the automatic drip, pour-over, and French press methods.

When the right beans are brewed perfectly, you can taste the hints of cherry, cocoa, wood, and more in your favorite fresh coffee beans. The luscious coffee flavors are so delectable that your palate will not even want any added cream or lighteners.

A set of four white stoneware coffee cups.

My Favorite Coffee Cups

I love the clean, minimal look of these stoneware mugs. They’re thoughtfully made in Portugal and finished with a satin reactive glaze.

Americano vs Black Coffee: Key Differences

A cup of coffee has been the go-to morning caffeine boost for people around the world for centuries. Enjoying it black always tastes great! Black coffee is a great way to highlight all the delicious tasting notes in your favorite ground coffee beans without diluting their complex flavor profiles.

Coffee beans used to make caffe misto and latte.

Making Americanos and Black Coffee at Home

Skip the line and make both of these incredible drinks at home! Here are some pointers to get you started on the road to becoming the best home barista ever!

How to Make an Americano at Home

The caffe Americano is a proud tradition in coffee culture. You will find this beverage on cafe and restaurant menus everywhere, but with the right equipment and a little trial-and-error, Americanos can easily be made at home.

The most common error on the road to perfect homemade Americanos is assuming you will nail it the first time. Making espresso is an art form. Expect a little failure on your first go around, but if you stick with it, you’ll be sipping café-quality Americanos in no time!

To make an Americano at home, you need the right supplies. You will need filtered water, fresh coffee beans, a coffee grinder, and the right coffee brewer.

Often espresso is mistaken for a type of bean, but it is actually the method discussed above. That means you can get creative with the choice of coffee beans. Use your favorite single-origin coffee or seek out a blend of beans specially designed for making espresso. Whatever beans you choose, be sure that they are ground to a fine texture for espresso brewing.

A common misconception about espresso is that you need a home espresso machine to make it, but you don’t! You can make delicious espresso at home using a moka pot.

A moka pot is a stovetop coffee brewer that mimics the high pressure of a traditional espresso machine on the stove. It’s a super economical way to make the espresso you need for an Americano at home.

Once you have the shots of espresso, all that is left is the water. The best ratio of espresso to water in an Americano is 1:2. That means for every ounce of espresso you need two ounces of water. You can also use ice or cold water, in place of hot water, to make an iced Americano.

My Favorite coffee beans

My Favorite coffee grinder

My Favorite moka pot

How to Make Black Coffee at Home

This simple coffee drink is so easy to make that anyone can have the perfect cup in minutes. Take regular coffee from good to great by using high-quality beans.

Start with fresh coffee beans. Grind the whole beans fresh for your desired brewing method. Only grind what you need to avoid waste.

Different brewing methods have their own specific grind size, so be sure to use the right size grounds for your brew.

Here is a quick guide to common brewing method grind sizes:

Cold Brew: Extra-Coarse
French Press: Coarse
Pour-Over Coffee: Medium Coarse
Drip Coffee: Medium
Siphon: Medium
Moka Pot: Fine
Turkish: Extra-Fine

Once you have the right grind, you will need fresh water. Whenever possible, use filtered water and clean brewing equipment. This attention to detail brings the most pure flavor to your cup.

My Favorite French press

My Favorite Pour-over coffee maker

My Favorite drip coffee maker

Americano vs Black Coffee: Which is Better?

Black coffee and Americanos can help increase focus and make your mornings shine. Each of these delicious cafe beverages has its advantages.

Both drinks offer coffee lovers a jolt of caffeine as well as plenty of satisfying and intense flavors. Each of these delicious favorites is made with only two ingredients and each one can be found in cafes or made at home.

At first glance, each coffee beverage seems similar to the other, so which one is truly the best? There are a few factors to consider when answering that, including caffeine levels, calories, and flavor.

On average, a single serving of black coffee has about 95 mg of caffeine. Whereas, an Americano (with two espresso shots) has about 120 mg of caffeine.

Thanks to their simple ingredients, both black coffee and Americanos are very low in calories. A cup of black coffee has 1 calorie and an Americano with a double shot of espresso has about 6 calories. That means that calorie count is virtually not an issue with either of these drinks.

The rich flavor of a fresh black coffee or an Americano all comes down to the type of beans and the brew. Even when brewed with the same beans, many small nuances in these drinks make them stand out.

Americanos tend to have a more robust coffee taste than the smooth sip of black coffee. With all that in mind, the answer to which is best really comes down to your personal preferences. Each of these classic cafe favorites is delicious, low-calorie, and easy to make.

If you love bold, strong flavors you may want to try an Americano and if you love easy favorites, black coffee is a great way to go. Try them both and get to know the subtle flavors in your favorite more intimately with every bold, aromatic sip!

My Favorite Espresso Cups

These off-white espresso cups will instantly add a chic element to your home coffee bar.

Common Questions About Americano vs Black Coffee

Can I Drink Black Coffee Iced?

Yes, the word black in coffee culture just refers to a lack of cream, so you can enjoy your tasty coffee at any temperature you like! One downside to this is that the ice will dilute your coffee making it taste watered down.

Can I Add Cream in My Americano?

Yes. Although this is not something that’s typically done, you can definitely mix cream, sugar, or other add-ins into your Americano. Both black coffee and Americanos make a great base for building a complex coffee drink.