An Americano is espresso diluted with hot water. Black coffee (drip coffee) is brewed by passing hot water through ground coffee in a filter. They look similar in the cup but are made differently and taste different: Americanos are smoother with more body, while drip coffee is brighter with more nuance.
The americano vs black coffee debate comes up often because both drinks look the same: dark, no milk, no sugar. But the brewing method changes everything, from the flavor and body to the caffeine content and acidity. If you have ever wondered whether an Americano is just black coffee, this guide breaks down every difference.
There are so many coffee drinks available that it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. Below we compare americano vs drip coffee side by side so you can pick the right cup for your morning.
Americano vs Black Coffee: Quick Comparison
| Factor | Americano | Black Coffee (Drip) |
|---|---|---|
| Brewing method | Espresso machine | Drip machine, French press, pour-over |
| Base | Espresso + hot water | Ground coffee + hot water through a filter |
| Taste | Smooth, bold | Bright, nuanced |
| Body | Full body | Lighter body |
| Caffeine (8 oz) | ~126 mg (double shot) | ~96 mg |
| Acidity | Lower | Higher |
| Time to make | ~2 min | 4-6 min |
What is an Americano?
An Americano is an espresso coffee diluted with hot water.
The caffe Americano is believed to have originated during World War II, when Italian espressos were diluted to suit the palates of American soldiers based in Italy. Today, the Americano is a mainstream order at coffee shops across the US, driven by the continued growth of specialty coffee culture.
How is an Americano made?
The Americano is a straightforward espresso-based drink that uses hot water to dilute the espresso shot.
To make an Americano, an espresso is pulled into an empty coffee cup using an espresso machine. Next, water is heated to the same temperature as the coffee and added to the shot.
Typically an Americano will have at least a 1:1 ratio between the espresso shot and hot water, and the hot water must always be added last.
Adding the espresso shot after the hot water makes the coffee into a long black, which differs in taste from the Americano as the crema is not removed by pouring hot water on it.
If you want to compare the Americano with other espresso-based drinks, see our guides on Americano vs. Espresso, Americano vs. Latte, and Americano vs. Cappuccino.
What is a Black Coffee?
Black coffee is a plain coffee served in a coffee cup with nothing else added.
Brewing the coffee without milk, cream, sugar, or other additional flavors results in a strong, bitter drink.
Black coffee is popular because of the caffeine boost it gives. It is also low in calories.
How is a black coffee made?
There are many ways to make a black coffee, the easiest being instant coffee that can be made in the home using a kettle, mug, and ground coffee beans.
Other methods include the French press, pour-over, cold brew, or drip coffee.
Each of these offers different flavors, but the essential parts of all black coffees are hot water and ground coffee beans.
The Difference Between Americano and Black Coffee
The difference between an Americano and a black coffee is that an Americano consists of one or more diluted espresso shots, whereas black coffee is any coffee without milk or cream.
To make an Americano, an espresso machine forces hot water through finely-ground espresso beans to make the espresso shots, then hot water is added.
This is different from regular house-brewed black coffee, which is typically made using a drip coffee machine.
Taste
The Americano is a bold, smooth drink that can be strengthened by reducing the hot water used to dilute it.
Adding hot water to the espresso shot also dilutes the oil content, stopping the oil coating the tongue and resulting in a more bitter taste.
The flavor of a black coffee will be dependent on the amount of coffee used, how it is brewed, how the coffee beans are ground, and the roast level.
Well-brewed black coffee should have a slightly sweet taste with subtle notes of spices, honey, and citrus. If it has been brewed correctly, there should not be a bitter aftertaste.
Caffeine
The amount of caffeine in an Americano or cup of black coffee depends on factors like the beans used and the brewing process.
The longer the coffee beans are brewed in water, the more caffeine is released. However, this will also result in a more bitter drink.
A cup of black coffee typically contains more caffeine than an Americano. For a detailed look at espresso caffeine levels, see how much caffeine is in a shot of espresso.
Americano drinkers can use a double shot of espresso when making their coffee if they wish to increase their caffeine intake.
Americano vs. Black Coffee
The differences between an Americano and black coffee are relatively subtle, but they do affect the taste.
Americano coffee is made by forcing water through finely-ground coffee to make an espresso shot, then adding hot water.
Black coffee can be made in various ways and does not include any additional flavors or sweeteners.
While they have some similarities, they taste different, and trying both will help you decide which suits your palate.
An Americano offers the opportunity to increase the caffeine levels by having a double shot, whereas increasing the caffeine levels in black coffee can be more complex and result in a more bitter taste.
If you are interested in well-brewed coffee in the comfort of your own home, it can be considerably cheaper to buy the equipment needed to make black coffee rather than investing in espresso machines.
Americano vs Drip Coffee: Caffeine Compared
One of the most common questions about americano vs drip coffee is which one has more caffeine. The answer depends on serving size.
A standard Americano made with a double shot of espresso contains roughly 126 mg of caffeine per 8 oz serving. An 8 oz cup of drip coffee contains around 96 mg of caffeine. On a per-ounce basis, the Americano wins.
However, most people do not drink an 8 oz cup of drip coffee. A typical mug or takeaway cup holds 12 to 16 oz, which means 144 to 192 mg of caffeine. That makes the total caffeine per cup often higher for drip coffee than for an Americano.
Cold brew is even higher again, with some 16 oz servings reaching over 200 mg. If caffeine is your main priority, drip coffee or cold brew in a larger cup will usually give you more than a standard Americano. For a closer look at espresso caffeine numbers, see our guide on how much caffeine is in a shot of espresso.
Final Thoughts
People that enjoy drinking coffee tend to stick with what they know. However, exploring different types of coffee can open up a new world of possibilities and choices.
The caffe Americano and black coffee are similar drinks, so if you like one, the other is certainly worth exploring. You might also enjoy comparing other popular pairings, like cappuccino vs. latte.
FAQs
Not exactly. An Americano is a specific type of black coffee made by diluting espresso with hot water. Black coffee is a broader term that includes any coffee served without milk or cream, whether it is drip, pour-over, French press, or cold brew. All Americanos are black coffee, but not all black coffee is an Americano.
Per 8 oz, an Americano made with a double shot has about 126 mg of caffeine, while drip coffee has about 96 mg. However, drip coffee is usually served in larger cups (12-16 oz), so the total caffeine per serving is often higher for drip.
It depends on how you define strength. An Americano has a bolder, more concentrated flavor because it starts as espresso. Drip coffee tastes lighter but can contain more total caffeine depending on the serving size. If you mean flavor intensity, the Americano is stronger. If you mean caffeine, a large drip coffee often wins.
Yes. Adding a splash of milk or cream to an Americano is common and softens the bold espresso flavor. It is sometimes called a white Americano. Technically it is no longer a traditional Americano, but many coffee shops will make it on request.
Both are very low in calories when served black, typically under 15 calories per cup. Neither is significantly healthier than the other. The main health differences come from what you add (milk, sugar, syrups) rather than the brewing method itself.
Explore more in our coffee drink guides.
I’m Joel, an espresso-loving coffee nerd. I got into coffee because I spent a lot of time in Milan as a kid and started liking coffee waaaay too young. I’m all about making sure espresso is treated with the same care as any other coffee – it’s not just a quick drink!
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