What can I add to an Americano?

Making an americano is a fairly simple process. By starting with an espresso shot, or a double if you like your coffee stronger, and adding it to water, you create a wonderfully smooth and rich coffee drink. Most hardcore coffee drinkers would argue that an americano just the way it’s made is how it should be drunk, but for those who like to change things up a little here are some suggestions for a different taste to your americano.

Espresso in general is a very bitter form of coffee, and while adding water to it to make an americano can help cut that a little, for some people that’s not quite enough. Shawn Blanc recommends adding half and half. He suggests that the best way to add it into your americano is to have the half and half steamed so when you mix it into the drink it doesn’t cool it down. You still get a piping hot drink with a little more of a latte flavor. Adding cold creamer is another option if you feel like your drink is too hot and you would like to cool it down slightly. 

While adding sugar to a hot americano is perfectly acceptable and will definitely sweeten your drink up something I would suggest, is adding the sugar directly to the espresso because the heat of the coffee will dissolve the sugar much better than if you were to add it once the water has been put in. The drink is still hot, but there is a chance the drink might turn out grainy. 

While this might sound a little crazy, DominikaZR with instructables.com suggests that when making an iced americano you can add apricot, lime and mint for a refreshing cold coffee drink. This might be a little much for some people, but if you’re feeling adventurous it might be worth a try.