Iced Americano

The Iced Americano is a refreshing, bold and bitter coffee drink! Here’s what it is and a recipe for how to make it at home.

Are you an espresso lover and want a refreshing spin on the classic hot drinks? Try the Iced Americano! The classic Americano is bold and bitter, and diluting creamy espresso with hot water opens up its flavor and lets you enjoy the cup a little longer. So why not try it iced? An Iced Americano is ultra refreshing, with the same big, bold flavors you love from a great Americano. Here’s how to make an iced Americano!

What is an Iced Americano?

A classic Americano is an espresso drink made with hot water and espresso, also called a Caffe Americano. The drink can be made with either one or two shots of espresso and varying ratios of water. A true Americano does not include milk like a latte or cappuccino. An Iced Americano is an Americano served over ice: espresso, cold water (optional), and ice. You can dilute it with cold water, or simply let the ice do the diluting. For this drink you’ll need:

• 1 doubleshot espresso
• ½ cup ice
• Cold water, optional

How to make an iced Americano

Order a classic Americano at Starbucks, and it tastes like watered down coffee. So it’s no surprise that the iced Americano at Starbucks has a weak, watery flavor. But make an Americano with an espresso machine, and it is incredible. It’s rich and bold, with a robust dark espresso flavor. This Iced Americano is infinitely better than the Starbucks version. Here’s how to make an iced Americano:

• Make 1 doubleshot espresso. Use one of the methods below: espresso machine, portable espresso maker, French press, or Moka pot.
• Pour the espresso into a glass with ½ cup ice. Swirl and taste.
• Add cold water, if desired. If you’d like, you can dilute it with a bit of cold water (start with 2 tablespoons and increase to taste. But we like it with no dilution: just let the ice gradually water down the drink as it melts.

Making the espresso

The essential part of how to make an Iced Americano? A great espresso method. Start with an espresso roast coffee: it’s important for achieving the robust, rich flavor. Try espresso roast from Illy, Starbucks or Intelligentsia. Then, pick a method to try. The espresso machine is the best, but there are lots of ways to make espresso without a machine:

• Espresso machine: A countertop espresso machine makes for the best flavor! Go to How to Make Espresso. If you don’t have one, try one of the machine-free options below.
• Portable espresso maker: The next best option? Try a manual espresso maker: it’s easy, affordable, and makes great espresso.
• French press: Or, make French press espresso! It makes a decent cup with a coffee tool you may already have on hand.
• Moka Pot: You can also make strong espresso-like coffee in a Moka Pot (Bialetti).

And that’s it! Let us know what you think of this iced Americano: it’s one of our favorite drinks for everyday refreshing coffee breaks.

More iced coffee drinks

You can turn just about every coffee drink into an iced drink! Here are some of iced coffee and espresso drinks to try:

• Opt for an Iced Espresso, or the delicious Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Espresso
• Learn How to Make Iced Coffee or try French Press Iced Coffee
• Try a Perfect Iced Latte, Iced Vanilla Latte, Iced White Chocolate Mocha, Iced Mocha, or Frozen Coffee or Mocha Frappe
• Grab an Iced Cappuccino with Cold Foam
• Go for tea with an Iced Matcha Latte or Iced Chai Latte

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Iced Espresso

02

Perfect Iced Latte

03

Iced Cappuccino

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Iced White Chocolate Mocha

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