Order a "coffee" at an American diner and you will almost always get a cup of drip coffee poured from a glass carafe. Order an Americano at a cafe and you will get something that looks nearly identical: a mug of hot, black coffee. Yet the two drinks are made in completely different ways, and many coffee drinkers can taste the difference immediately. One is brewed by letting hot water filter slowly through grounds; the other starts as concentrated espresso pulled under pressure and is then stretched with hot water.
This guide explains the difference between an Americano and regular brewed coffee, from brewing method and flavor to caffeine, cost, and when to order each one.
An Americano is one or two shots of espresso diluted with hot water. Regular coffee, usually called drip or brewed coffee, is made by pouring hot water over medium ground coffee and letting it filter through by gravity. An Americano tastes bolder and richer with a thin layer of crema, while drip coffee tastes cleaner and lighter. Caffeine is often similar or slightly higher in drip coffee for the same cup size, depending on how many espresso shots go into the Americano.
| Feature | Americano | Drip coffee |
|---|
| Base | Espresso shots | Brewed coffee |
| Brewing method | Hot water forced through fine grounds under pressure, then diluted | Hot water filters through medium grounds by gravity |
| Brew time | About 25 to 30 seconds per shot | About 4 to 6 minutes per pot |
| Grind | Fine | Medium |
| Flavor | Bold, rich, rounded, slightly bittersweet | Clean, lighter bodied, often brighter |
| Texture | Slightly heavier with a thin crema on top | Smooth and thin |
| Caffeine | Depends on the number of shots | Depends on cup size and strength |
| Made | To order, one drink at a time | Usually in batches, kept warm |
| Price at cafes | Usually more | Usually less |
| Customizable strength | Easy: add or remove shots or water | Fixed by the batch |
An Americano, or caffe Americano, is made by pulling one or two shots of espresso and adding hot water. Most cafes pour the espresso first and then add water, though some baristas add the espresso on top of the water to preserve more crema; that version is sometimes called a "long black," a name common in Australia and New Zealand. The ratio varies, but a typical Americano is roughly one part espresso to two or three parts water.
A popular story says the drink is named for American soldiers stationed in Italy during World War II, who found Italian espresso too strong and diluted it with hot water to recreate the coffee they knew at home. The story is widely repeated, though hard to document precisely. Whatever its exact origin, the Americano became a standard on espresso bar menus worldwide.
Because it starts with espresso, an Americano carries espresso's flavor: concentrated, caramelized, slightly bittersweet, and full bodied. Learn more about the machine that makes it in our article on who invented espresso.
In the United States, "regular coffee" usually means drip coffee, also called filter or brewed coffee. An automatic brewer heats water and showers it over medium ground coffee in a paper or metal filter. Gravity pulls the water through the grounds and into a carafe over several minutes. Diners, offices, hotels, and coffee chains brew it in large batches and keep it warm for refills.
Other brewed methods include pour over, where a barista pours water by hand over grounds in a cone; French press, where grounds steep in water before being pressed out with a plunger; and cold brew, where grounds steep in cold water for many hours. All are brewed coffee rather than espresso drinks. Our guide to types of coffee drinks explains each.
Espresso machines push hot water through a tightly packed puck of finely ground coffee at high pressure, about nine bars, in less than half a minute. The pressure extracts oils and dissolved solids quickly, producing a thick, concentrated shot with crema, the golden foam of emulsified oils and carbon dioxide. Diluting that shot with water keeps much of its richness and body.
Drip coffee relies on gravity and time. Water passes through the grounds more slowly and at normal pressure, and paper filters trap many oils. The result is a cleaner, lighter cup where subtle flavors, such as fruity or floral notes in light roasts, can come through more clearly.
Espresso blends are often roasted medium to dark for sweetness and body, which gives Americanos a rounder, chocolatey character. Drip coffee can be brewed from any roast, from light to dark. Specialty cafes often brew single origin light roasts as drip or pour over to highlight their acidity and aroma.
An Americano is made to order, so it is always fresh. Drip coffee is often brewed in batches and held on a warmer or in an insulated urn; after sitting for a long time, it can taste flat or burnt. Busy cafes brew small batches often to keep it fresh.
This depends on the recipe and cup size. A single shot of espresso contains roughly 60 to 75 milligrams of caffeine, while an 8 ounce cup of brewed coffee typically contains about 80 to 100 milligrams or more, depending on the beans and strength. That means:
- A single shot Americano usually has a little less caffeine than an 8 ounce drip coffee.
- A double shot Americano, which is standard at many cafes, often has a little more caffeine than an 8 ounce drip coffee.
- Large drip coffees, 16 ounces or more, often contain more caffeine than a double shot Americano.
The easiest way to control caffeine with an Americano is to choose the number of shots. With drip coffee, choose the cup size, or ask for half caf or decaf.
Both drinks are nearly calorie free when served black, usually under 5 calories per cup. Calories come from what you add: milk, cream, sugar, and syrups. A splash of milk or a little half and half adds modest calories, while flavored syrups and whipped cream add sugar quickly. If you want a coffee with almost no calories, either drink served black is an excellent choice. Our guide to healthy restaurant breakfasts discusses coffee as part of a balanced morning meal.
At most cafes, drip coffee is cheaper and faster because it is already brewed and simply poured. Many diners and cafes offer refills. An Americano usually costs more because each drink requires a barista to pull espresso shots to order, and refills are rarely free. On the other hand, an Americano is a reliable choice at an espresso focused cafe that does not brew drip coffee, and it is always made fresh.
Iced Americanos are espresso shots poured over ice and cold water, producing a crisp, bold, refreshing drink. Iced coffee is brewed coffee, sometimes brewed double strength, chilled and poured over ice. Cold brew, steeped in cold water for many hours, is smoother and less acidic than both. If you want a strong iced drink with little bitterness, cold brew is a good choice; if you want the taste of espresso, choose an iced Americano.
- Espresso: the straight shot, small and intense.
- Long black: espresso poured over hot water, with more crema on top.
- Lungo: a longer espresso shot pulled with more water through the grounds, stronger and more bitter than an Americano.
- Red eye: a cup of drip coffee with a shot of espresso added for more caffeine.
- Latte and cappuccino: espresso with steamed milk rather than water; see our guide to latte versus cappuccino.
- Stronger Americano: ask for an extra shot or less water.
- Milder Americano: ask for a single shot or extra water.
- Creamier: add a splash of milk, an "Americano misto" style, or half and half.
- Drip coffee for flavor: ask what roast is brewing, or order a pour over for a fresh single cup.
- Room for cream: ask the barista to leave space at the top if you add milk.
- Choose an Americano if you like the taste of espresso, want a fresh made drink, or want precise control over strength.
- Choose drip coffee if you want a lighter, cleaner cup, a lower price, free refills, or more caffeine in a large size.
- Choose pour over if you want a fresh brewed cup that shows off a specialty coffee's flavor.
Coffee drinks vary by culture. In Italy, a plain espresso is the everyday order, and an Americano is mostly for visitors. In Vietnam, strong drip coffee is brewed through a small metal filter and often sweetened with condensed milk; see our guide to Vietnamese coffee. To learn how coffee spread from its origins in East Africa and Yemen, read our article on where coffee originated.
Both drinks pair naturally with breakfast and brunch. Drip coffee with refills is the classic diner companion to eggs and pancakes, while an Americano suits a cafe pastry or avocado toast. Our guides to Sunday brunch and the history of brunch explore the meal, and our article on the history of diners explains how bottomless coffee became an American tradition.
Use our American restaurants near you directory to find diners, cafes, and breakfast spots serving fresh brewed coffee and espresso drinks, and check each listing's hours and menu before you go.
An Americano is espresso diluted with hot water; regular coffee is brewed by letting hot water filter through grounds. The Americano tastes bolder and richer with a little crema, while drip coffee tastes cleaner and lighter. Caffeine depends on shots and cup size: a double shot Americano often edges out a small drip coffee, while a large drip coffee usually has more. Both are nearly calorie free when black. Choose the Americano for espresso flavor and freshness, and drip coffee for value, refills, and a lighter cup. For more food and drink basics, explore our food knowledge collection.
Frequently asked questions
An Americano is espresso diluted with hot water. Regular drip coffee is brewed by letting hot water filter through medium ground coffee by gravity. Americanos taste bolder and richer; drip coffee tastes cleaner and lighter.
It depends on the number of shots and cup size. A double shot Americano often has a little more caffeine than an 8 ounce drip coffee, while a large drip coffee usually has more.
A popular story says American soldiers in Italy during World War II diluted espresso with hot water to make it taste like the coffee they drank at home.
An Americano usually tastes stronger and richer because it is made from espresso, though caffeine content depends on how many shots it contains.
Both combine espresso and hot water. An Americano usually adds water to the espresso, while a long black pours espresso over hot water, preserving more crema.
A black Americano has almost no calories, usually under 5. Milk, cream, sugar, and syrups add calories.
Reviewed and verified by the Restaurant Listings Editorial Team for accuracy and relevance. Our content is researched using official restaurant sources, public records, government agencies, and recognized food safety and hospitality industry resources.
Last reviewed: November 2026
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