The Americano is one of the simplest espresso-based coffee drinks. Traditionally, it is made by combining espresso with hot water, creating a smooth and lighter drink than straight espresso while retaining the characteristic flavor of espresso.

However, the basic Americano has inspired several variations. Some differ because of temperature, the amount of water, the order in which ingredients are added, or the addition of milk and other ingredients.

In this article, we will explore 8 popular types and variations of Americano coffee, including how they are made and what they taste like.

In This Article

• Classic Hot Americano
• Iced Americano
• Long Black
• Americano Misto
• White Americano
• Strong Americano
• Red Eye Coffee
• Flavored Americano

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1. Classic Hot Americano

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The Classic Hot Americano is the traditional version of this coffee. It is prepared by combining one or more shots of espresso with hot water.

The amount of water can be adjusted depending on how strong or mild you want the coffee to taste. A typical Americano has a lighter body than espresso but still retains the roasted and aromatic character of the espresso.

Ingredients

• Espresso
• Hot water

Taste

A classic Americano generally has a smooth, bold and slightly bitter coffee flavor. It is a good choice for people who enjoy black coffee but find straight espresso too concentrated.

Best For

People who want a simple, strong-tasting coffee without milk or sugar.

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2. Iced Americano

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The Iced Americano is one of the most popular cold variations. Instead of hot water, espresso is combined with cold water and ice.

A common preparation is to fill a glass with ice, add cold water and then pour freshly prepared espresso over it. Starbucks also describes an iced Americano as a combination of hot espresso, water and ice.

Ingredients

• Espresso
• Cold water
• Ice

Taste

Iced Americanos are refreshing, crisp and relatively light. The cold temperature can make the espresso flavor feel cleaner and more refreshing.

Best For

Hot weather, afternoon coffee breaks and people who prefer cold coffee without milk.

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3. Long Black

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The Long Black is very similar to an Americano and is particularly associated with Australia and New Zealand.

The main difference is the preparation method. Hot water is placed in the cup first, and espresso is poured over the water. This can help preserve more of the espresso’s crema. In a conventional Americano, the preparation generally results in more disruption of the crema.

Ingredients

• Espresso
• Hot water

Taste

A Long Black can taste slightly more concentrated and aromatic than a typical Americano, with a more noticeable crema.

Best For

Coffee drinkers who like the volume of an Americano but want a stronger espresso character.

Tip: Although Long Black and Americano are often used interchangeably, coffee shops may prepare them differently.

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4. Americano Misto

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An Americano Misto is a softer variation that combines espresso, hot water and steamed milk.

It sits somewhere between a traditional Americano and a milk-based espresso drink. The addition of steamed milk reduces the sharpness of the black coffee and creates a smoother mouthfeel.

Ingredients

• Espresso
• Hot water
• Steamed milk

Taste

It has a creamy and smooth flavor while still retaining the espresso character.

Best For

People who enjoy Americanos but want something less intense and slightly creamy.

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5. White Americano

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A White Americano is an informal variation in which a small amount of milk or cream is added to an Americano.

Unlike a latte, the milk is not the main component of the drink. The coffee remains predominantly an espresso-and-water drink.

Ingredients

• Espresso
• Hot water
• Small amount of milk or cream

Taste

The milk softens the bitterness and acidity of the espresso while maintaining the flavor of black coffee.

Best For

People who normally drink Americanos but occasionally want a little creaminess.

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6. Strong Americano

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A Strong Americano is not a completely separate coffee recipe, but rather a stronger preparation of the standard Americano.

The simplest way to make it stronger is to increase the amount of espresso while keeping the water amount relatively low. The strength of an Americano depends substantially on the number of espresso shots and the amount of water used.

Ingredients

• Double or multiple shots of espresso
• Hot water

Taste

It has a stronger espresso aroma, deeper roasted flavor and more intensity than a regular Americano.

Best For

People who find a standard Americano too mild.

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7. Red Eye Coffee

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The Red Eye is often mentioned alongside Americanos, but technically it is not an Americano.

A Red Eye combines brewed drip coffee with a shot of espresso. Unlike an Americano, which uses espresso and water, the Red Eye uses already-brewed coffee as its base.

Ingredients

• Drip or filter coffee
• Espresso

Taste

The result is bold, intense and more caffeinated than a standard Americano.

There are also variations based on the number of espresso shots:

• Red Eye: One espresso shot
• Black Eye: Two espresso shots
• Dead Eye: Three espresso shots

The terminology can vary between cafés and regions.

Best For

People looking for a powerful coffee with a stronger caffeine kick.

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8. Flavored Americano

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A Flavored Americano is made by adding a flavored syrup or another sweet ingredient to a traditional Americano.

Popular choices include:

• Vanilla Americano
• Caramel Americano
• Hazelnut Americano
• Honey Americano
• Cinnamon Americano
• Coconut Americano

The basic coffee remains espresso and water, but the added flavor changes the overall taste.

Taste

Depending on the ingredient, a flavored Americano can be sweet, nutty, caramel-like, spicy or fruity.

Best For

People who enjoy black coffee but want more variety without adding milk.

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Americano Coffee Types at a Glance

Type	Main Ingredients	Temperature	Flavor
Classic Americano	Espresso + hot water	Hot	Smooth and bold
Iced Americano	Espresso + cold water + ice	Cold	Crisp and refreshing
Long Black	Espresso + hot water	Hot	Stronger, more crema
Americano Misto	Espresso + water + steamed milk	Hot	Creamy and smooth
White Americano	Espresso + water + milk/cream	Hot	Mild and creamy
Strong Americano	Extra espresso + water	Hot	Strong and intense
Red Eye	Drip coffee + espresso	Hot/Cold	Very bold
Flavored Americano	Americano + flavoring	Hot/Cold	Sweet and aromatic

Which Americano Should You Try?

Your choice depends on the type of coffee you prefer.

For a traditional coffee: Choose a Classic Americano.

For a hot summer day: Try an Iced Americano.

For a stronger espresso flavor: Try a Long Black or Strong Americano.

For something creamy: Choose an Americano Misto or White Americano.

For maximum coffee intensity: Try a Red Eye.

For a sweeter coffee: Go for a Flavored Americano.

Final Thoughts

Americano coffee may start with just two basic ingredients—espresso and water—but small changes in preparation can create noticeably different drinks. The temperature, water quantity, espresso-to-water ratio and pouring method can all affect the final cup.

If you prefer traditional black coffee, the Classic Americano is an excellent starting point. If you prefer cold drinks, the Iced Americano is worth trying, while coffee lovers who want more espresso character may prefer a Long Black. And if you want something stronger, the Red Eye offers a completely different experience.

The best way to find your favorite is to try several variations and compare their strength, body, aroma and bitterness.