There’s nothing wrong with sticking to what you like, but with a whole world of coffee flavors to explore, why not try something new next time you visit your local coffee shop?
If you’re a fan of robust coffee to jumpstart your day, the long black might be more suitable since it maintains the bitter crema on its surface.
In this article, we explain the difference between Americano and long black coffees.
What is an Americano?
The full name of an Americano is a caffè Americano, and it originated during World War II in Italy.
The idea behind the Americano was to make an Italian espresso-based drink that was more similar to normal black coffee.
The Americano achieves this by diluting an espresso shot with hot water.
How is an Americano made?
To make an Americano, a barista pulls one or two shots of espresso using an espresso machine, then adds hot water directly into the cup. The standard ratio is roughly 1 part espresso to 2 parts hot water, though this varies by coffee shop and personal taste. A single-shot Americano uses around 1 oz of espresso topped up to 8 oz with water; a double-shot version delivers a noticeably stronger result.
Water temperature matters. The hot water should be between 195°F and 205°F — just off the boil. Water that is too cool can dull the espresso’s flavors, while water that is too hot can introduce bitterness. Many baristas use the same water heated for brewing to keep the temperature consistent.
Because the water is poured into the cup first (or the espresso is poured over the water), the crema from the espresso shot breaks up on contact. This gives the Americano a smooth, even flavor throughout the cup — lighter and less intense on the palate than a straight espresso.
What is a Long Black Coffee?
A long black is similar to an Americano, in that it comprises an espresso coffee shot and hot water.
However, with a long black, the water is added first.
It might not sound like much, but when you add the water really can make a difference!
To make a long black, your local coffee shop will use either ground coffee or grind fresh coffee beans. Next, they will pull the shot of espresso while heating the water to 195°F.
The hot water is poured into the cup with the espresso shot added second.
How is a Long Black made?
The key to a long black is pour order. Hot water — typically around 195°F — is added to the cup first, then one or two shots of espresso (most commonly a double ristretto) are poured gently over the top. This sequence keeps the espresso’s golden crema intact on the surface of the drink, which is the defining characteristic of a long black.
A long black is typically served in a smaller volume than an Americano — around 4 to 6 oz — which means the espresso flavor is more concentrated. The drink is especially popular in Australia and New Zealand, where it has long been the preferred way to drink espresso-based black coffee. In those countries, ordering a “long black” will get you exactly this: water first, espresso on top, crema preserved.
The choice of beans and grind size affects the final result just as much as technique. A finer grind produces a more intense espresso shot, while a coarser grind results in a lighter pull. For a long black with great crema, freshly ground beans and a well-calibrated espresso machine make all the difference.
The Difference Between Americano and Long Black Coffee
The only difference between an Americano and a long black coffee is the order in which the espresso and water are combined.
| Americano | Long Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Espresso poured over hot water | Hot water first, espresso poured on top |
| Espresso shots | 1 (can be doubled) | Usually 2 (double ristretto) |
| Crema | Dissolved / minimal | Preserved on surface |
| Calories | ~5–15 kcal | ~5–15 kcal |
| Caffeine | ~63 mg per shot | ~126 mg (double shot typical) |
| Serving size | 8–12 oz | 4–6 oz |
| Best for | Those who like diluted black coffee | Those who want strong crema flavour |
Americanos are made by pouring hot water over one or more espresso shots.
In contrast, a long black is made by pouring an espresso shot over hot water.
A long black is usually made with two espresso shots or “double ristretto”.
Americanos can also be made with more than one shot, depending on the drinker’s taste.
The main visual difference between the two will be the brown crema layer on the long black.
Because espresso is a critical component of both coffees, an espresso machine is essential in order to make both Americanos and long blacks.
Taste
The main difference in taste between an Americano and a long black comes from the crema.
In an Americano, the bitter crema is largely “dissolved” into the body of the coffee.
However, with a long black, where the espresso is added last, this bitter layer stays on the coffee’s surface.
The espresso’s dilution, the coffee beans’ quality, and the coffee bean’s roast levels will also make a difference to how the coffee tastes.
Caffeine
There are no set guidelines as to the caffeine content for an Americano or long black.
Typically, a long black is more likely to be made with two espresso shots and the Americano with one, but that is not a strict rule.
The size of the coffee will also determine how many shots are used, but this can change between coffee shops.
The coffee beans used will also determine the caffeine level, with Arabica beans containing less caffeine than Robusta beans, for example.
Long Black vs. Americano
Now that you know more about the difference between Americano and long black, it should be easier for you to decide which coffee to go for.
It will always be a personal preference which coffee you prefer and how strong you like it, so exploring options will help you narrow this down.
If you are a lover of strong coffee to get you going, the long black may be better suited as it retains the bitter crema on its surface.
Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between an Americano and a long black comes down to how you like your black coffee to taste and feel. If you prefer a smooth, mild cup that you can sip slowly over 10–15 minutes, the Americano is likely your best bet. Its larger volume and dissolved crema make for a gentler drinking experience — ideal if you find straight espresso too intense but still want to enjoy a black coffee without milk.
If you enjoy a bolder, more espresso-forward cup and appreciate the slightly bitter edge that crema brings, the long black will suit you better. It is a shorter, more concentrated drink, and the preserved crema on the surface adds complexity to each sip. The long black is a great choice for those who want all the character of espresso but with a little more volume than a standard shot.
Both drinks work equally well as a base for adding milk or sugar if you decide you want to soften the flavor later. And since both are built from espresso, the quality of your beans and the skill of your barista will shape the final result more than anything else. If you want to explore more types of espresso-based coffee drinks, there are plenty of options worth trying beyond these two.
Final Thoughts
The long black and Americano are similar espresso coffee drinks.
Both are made with espresso and hot water, and both result in a black coffee that is less intense than a straight espresso shot. At first glance they look almost identical in the cup — and in many coffee shops, the difference goes unnoticed.
The only difference is when the water is added to the espresso.
In an Americano, the water is added to the cup after the espresso shot — or the espresso is poured over the water, depending on how the barista works.
In a long black, the water is added to the cup first, and the espresso poured in second. This is the step that changes everything.
The big difference this makes is that the long black retains more crema on its surface. That crema carries flavor — it is aromatic, slightly bitter, and adds a layer of complexity that the Americano does not have to the same degree.
For most home coffee drinkers, the Americano is the more familiar option and the easier one to replicate. For those who want a café-quality experience closer to what you find in Australian and New Zealand specialty coffee shops, learning to make a long black is well worth the effort.
Making an Americano or Long Black at Home
Both drinks are surprisingly straightforward to make at home — the main requirement is an espresso machine capable of pulling a proper shot. The Americano is arguably the easier of the two: pull your shot, then add hot (not boiling) water to taste. The long black requires you to pour the shot into pre-measured hot water, which preserves the crema — a small but important difference that takes a little practice to get right.
For a home espresso setup, the Breville Barista Express is one of the most popular all-in-one options — it has a built-in grinder, so you can go from whole beans to espresso in one machine. If counter space is a concern, the Breville Bambino Plus is a compact alternative that still produces quality shots for both drinks.
Water temperature matters for both drinks. For the Americano, use water heated to around 90–95°C (194–203°F) — just off the boil — added to the espresso after extraction. For the long black, pour hot water into the cup first, then extract your espresso shot directly into it. This technique locks in the crema and gives the drink its characteristic layered appearance.
FAQs – Americano vs Long Black
Making an Americano or Long Black at Home
Both an Americano and a long black start with a quality espresso shot, so the equipment matters. A semi-automatic espresso machine gives you the control to dial in your shot, while a burr grinder ensures a consistent grind size for even extraction.
If you want either drink without a full espresso setup, an AeroPress can produce a concentrated coffee that works well diluted with hot water — the result won’t be identical to a true espresso-based Americano, but it’s a solid home alternative at a fraction of the price.
| Equipment | Why It Helps | Link |
|---|---|---|
| AeroPress Coffee Maker | Compact, affordable way to brew concentrated coffee for Americano-style drinks | View on Amazon |
| Baratza Encore Burr Grinder | Consistent grind for espresso-based drinks — a good grinder improves any cup | View on Amazon |
An Americano is traditionally a black coffee. However, you can add milk, cream, sugar, or sweeteners to your taste. Some coffee drinkers use honey as a healthier alternative to sugar.
Like the Americano, the long black is made using an espresso shot and hot water, resulting in a black coffee. You will be able to add whatever you like to suit your tastes.
The strength of your Americano or long black will be determined by the beans used, the number of espresso shots used, and how diluted they are. Reducing the amount of hot water and adding an additional espresso shot to the coffee will make it stronger.
Ristretto is a more concentrated espresso shot. Because it is more concentrated, a ristretto shot delivers the same caffeine hit in a smaller volume of liquid. Ristretto shots can be used to make an Americano or long black.
You can make Americanos and long blacks at home, as long as you have an espresso machine. Investing in an espresso machine can be expensive, but it could be worth it for the pleasure of making a wide range of espresso drinks in the comfort of your own home.
Both drinks use espresso as the base, so you want a fine espresso grind — finer than what you would use for drip or pour-over but coarser than a Turkish grind. The exact setting depends on your grinder and machine, but you are aiming for a 25–30 second extraction for a double shot. If the shot pulls too fast, grind finer; if it stalls or tastes over-extracted, go slightly coarser.
Both are essentially the same in nutritional terms: black espresso diluted with hot water, with no milk or added sugar. They contain no fat, minimal calories (around 5–15 kcal), and similar amounts of caffeine. The only real difference is technique, not nutrition. If you add milk or sugar to either, the calorie count will increase accordingly.
Most people find the long black tastes slightly stronger and more complex. Because the espresso is poured into hot water (rather than water into espresso), the long black retains more of the crema and aromatic oils. The result is a richer, more espresso-forward flavour compared to the Americano, which can taste slightly more diluted.
Yes — and more of it than an Americano. The long black preserves the crema because the hot water goes in first and the espresso is poured on top, so the crema floats intact on the surface. When making an Americano, pouring the water onto the shot tends to break up or destroy the crema layer.
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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