What is the difference between an Americano and normal coffee?

November 25, 2025 •

5 min read

The Americano was supposedly born during World War II when American soldiers in Italy, finding traditional espresso too intense, diluted it with hot water. This simple historical fact highlights the core distinction: the Americano starts with espresso, while "normal coffee" is typically a different brewing process, like drip coffee.

Quick Summary

An Americano is made by diluting espresso with hot water, yielding a rich, bold flavor. In contrast, normal coffee, usually drip or filter coffee, is brewed by passing hot water through ground coffee, resulting in a milder, less concentrated beverage. The key distinctions lie in brewing method, roast type, and final taste.

Key Points

Brewing Method: An Americano dilutes high-pressure espresso with hot water, while normal coffee uses a gravity-fed drip or filter method.
Flavor Profile: Americanos have a rich, bold, and intense flavor derived from espresso, while normal coffee is milder, smoother, and more nuanced.
Ingredients and Grind: An Americano starts with finely-ground, dark-roasted beans for espresso, whereas normal coffee uses coarser grounds and varying roasts.
Caffeine Content: Per volume, a cup of normal (drip) coffee typically contains more total caffeine than a standard, single-shot Americano.
Body and Mouthfeel: The high-pressure extraction of espresso gives an Americano a richer, fuller body compared to the lighter body of normal drip coffee.
Origins: The Americano was created during World War II by American soldiers diluting Italian espresso to taste more like home. Normal coffee brewing methods predate this significantly.
Appearance: While both are black coffee drinks, a proper Americano, especially a 'long black' variation, can feature a layer of golden crema on top.

What is an Americano?

An Americano is a coffee drink consisting of espresso shots diluted with hot water. The story goes that American soldiers during WWII in Italy found the local espresso too strong for their tastes and requested it be watered down to resemble the filter coffee they were used to. The result is a beverage with a strength and volume similar to a regular coffee but with the distinct flavor and aroma characteristics of espresso.

The Anatomy of an Americano

To make an Americano, a barista pulls one or more shots of concentrated espresso. Hot water is then added to the espresso, typically in a 1:2 to 1:4 ratio (one part espresso to two or four parts hot water), though this can be adjusted to taste. The order of preparation can also differ. Adding the hot water first and pouring the espresso on top is common practice for preserving the golden crema layer.

What is Normal Coffee?

"Normal coffee" is a broad term that most commonly refers to drip or filter coffee. This is the standard coffee brewed in many households and cafes, using a machine where hot water slowly drips through a bed of medium-ground coffee held in a filter. Other common types of "normal coffee" include French press and pour-over, which also rely on a slower, less pressurized extraction method compared to espresso.

The Brewing Process of Normal Coffee

With drip coffee, hot water saturates the coffee grounds and, through gravity, slowly passes through the grounds and a paper filter, collecting in a pot or mug below. This process results in a beverage that has a different flavor profile than an Americano, typically with more nuanced or subtle flavor notes, depending on the bean's origin and roast level. The slower, gentler extraction means the final drink is less intense in flavor and body than an Americano.

Key Differences: Americano vs. Normal Coffee

The most significant differences between an Americano and normal coffee are the brewing method and the final taste profile. An Americano is a two-step process involving espresso, while normal coffee is a single-step infusion.

Brewing Method

Americano: Starts with a concentrated shot of espresso, created by forcing hot water through finely-ground beans under high pressure. This is then diluted with more hot water.
Normal Coffee: Brewed slowly using gravity, where hot water filters through coarsely or medium-ground coffee. Methods include drip machines, pour-over cones, and French presses.

Coffee Grind and Roast

Americano: Requires a fine espresso grind to ensure proper extraction under pressure. The beans used for espresso are often darker roasted to produce a bolder, richer flavor.
Normal Coffee: Uses a coarser grind to allow water to pass through more evenly. Roast levels can vary widely, from light and acidic to dark and robust.

Flavor Profile

Americano: Exhibits a bold, intense flavor profile with a richer, fuller mouthfeel due to the high-pressure extraction of oils and flavors from the espresso. It's essentially a smoothed-out espresso.
Normal Coffee: Offers a smoother, milder taste with more complex and delicate flavor notes, depending on the bean. The slower extraction brings out different characteristics, resulting in a lighter body.

Caffeine Content

Americano: The caffeine content can vary depending on the number of espresso shots used. A standard Americano with a single shot can contain less caffeine than a full cup of drip coffee, though adding more shots can increase the strength significantly.
Normal Coffee: A standard 8-ounce cup of drip coffee typically contains more total caffeine than a single-shot Americano, because the drip process uses a larger volume of coffee grounds.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table


Feature	Americano	Normal (Drip) Coffee
Preparation Method	Espresso shot diluted with hot water.	Hot water passed through ground coffee via gravity.
Key Ingredient	Espresso.	Ground coffee beans, steeped or filtered.
Brewing Time	Very quick, as espresso is pulled in under 30 seconds.	Slower, taking several minutes for a full pot.
Grind Size	Very fine.	Medium to coarse.
Flavor	Rich, bold, and intense, with a deeper profile.	Smoother, milder, and can have more complex, subtle notes.
Body / Mouthfeel	Fuller, richer body.	Lighter, thinner body.
Caffeine (Standard 8oz)	Often lower than drip coffee (around 60-100mg with a double shot).	Often higher than an Americano (around 95-120mg).
Typical Volume	Adjustable, but often served in 8-12 oz cups.	Typically brewed in larger volumes, like a full pot.

Which is Right for You?

Choosing between an Americano and normal coffee depends entirely on your personal taste and priorities. If you prefer a bold, intense flavor and a richer mouthfeel, the Americano is an excellent choice. It offers the distinctive taste of espresso in a more drinkable, less concentrated format. If, however, you enjoy a milder, smoother coffee with more subtle flavor notes, a traditional drip coffee or pour-over will likely be more satisfying. Both beverages offer a great coffee experience, just through different means of preparation. Trying them both is the best way to determine your preference and appreciate the subtle yet significant differences.

How to Decide

For the Espresso Enthusiast: If you love the strong, rich character of espresso, the Americano offers that same essence in a more sippable form.
For the Classic Coffee Lover: If you grew up on or prefer a more traditional, easy-drinking black coffee, drip coffee is the straightforward choice.
Consider the Setting: At a specialty coffee shop with a high-end espresso machine, an Americano is a fantastic option. For a large, simple cup at home or a diner, normal coffee is the standard.

Conclusion

While an Americano and normal coffee may appear similar to the uninitiated, their differences are fundamental and originate in their unique brewing processes. An Americano is the result of diluting concentrated, high-pressure espresso with water, resulting in a bold, rich, and full-bodied beverage. Normal coffee, typically drip, is a product of gravity-fed extraction, yielding a milder, smoother cup with different flavor nuances. Understanding these distinctions allows you to appreciate the craftsmanship of each and choose the perfect coffee to suit your palate, whether you're seeking the intense character of espresso or the comforting familiarity of a classic brew. For further exploration of brewing methods, consider reading this guide to pour-over coffee to see another form of “normal coffee” in action.

Optional Outbound Link

Perfect Daily Grind: What's The Difference Between Americano And Filter Coffee?

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, an Americano is essentially espresso that has been diluted with hot water. This process reduces the intensity of the espresso while maintaining its distinctive flavor profile.

In terms of total caffeine, a standard cup of normal (drip) coffee often has more caffeine than a single-shot Americano. However, in terms of flavor intensity, a proper Americano will have a richer, bolder taste profile due to the espresso base.

Yes, to make an authentic Americano, you first need to pull a shot of espresso, which requires an espresso machine. Normal coffee can be made with a variety of less specialized equipment, like a drip machine or French press.

Yes, you can add milk, sugar, or flavored syrups to both drinks, though they are traditionally served black. Adding milk will create a 'white Americano' but can dilute the flavor further, especially if the water ratio is high.

Both use espresso and hot water, but the preparation order is different. For a Long Black, the espresso is poured over the water to preserve the crema layer. This results in a stronger, more intense flavor that evolves as you drink, whereas an Americano is more blended and consistent.

A slightly bitter or burnt taste can result from the darker roast often used for espresso beans, or if the espresso extraction was overdone. The high-pressure brewing can bring out more intense compounds.

While an Americano can showcase the intense flavor notes of espresso, many coffee connoisseurs believe filter or pour-over coffee offers a more nuanced and delicate flavor experience, allowing for a better appreciation of the bean's origin and processing.

The Americano was originally created as a substitute for drip coffee for American soldiers in Italy. Its similar volume and strength profile makes it an excellent black coffee alternative when drip isn't available.