Last Updated on January 30, 2024 by Ibrahim Bat
Americano is one of the most popular espresso-based coffee drinks, made by adding a certain amount of hot water to a shot of espresso. It is quite strong and bitter. However, it is possible to take the classic Americano to a different dimension:
- Americano With Milk
This article from Best Coffee at Home will explain how you can effortlessly prepare Americano with milk at home, discuss this delicious beverage in all its aspects, and touch on tips and tricks to personalize your coffee.
First, let’s look at what Americano with milk is.
What is an Americano With Milk?
To better understand what “Americano with milk” means, let’s first look at what Americano is.
Americano is an espresso-based beverage that emerged during World War II when American soldiers stationed in Europe found espresso too strong and added hot water.
Indeed, Americano does not involve any steps other than adding water to espresso, making it a simple and practical coffee. Now, let’s talk about Americano with milk.
Americano with milk is an espresso-based beverage made by adding hot water and milk to a shot of espresso. In other words, or as can be inferred from its name, it is a beverage made by adding milk to Americano.
Note: In some cafes, Americano with milk is called ‘White Americano‘ or ‘Americano Misto.’
What is the Difference of Americano With Milk?
Americano with milk has a milder taste because it contains milk. Therefore, those who find Americano too bitter to drink may prefer Americano with milk.
On the other hand, just because Americano with milk contains milk, it does not make it a flat white or a latte. This is because a flat white and a latte contain a lot of milk, making them very sweet. The dense milk in flat white and latte also significantly suppresses the coffee aroma.
Americano with milk, however, is made by adding a certain amount of milk to espresso and hot water. Therefore, while enjoying a milky coffee, you can still feel the intense taste of the coffee.
Americano With Milk Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
Americano with milk is one of the coffees you can prepare quickly and effortlessly at home. If you have a machine or equipment capable of brewing espresso or coffee close to the strength of espresso, you can prepare Americano with milk at home.
You can use the following to brew espresso:
Step 1) Pull Your Espresso Shot
Brew your espresso. Approximately 30 ml (1 fl oz) of espresso will be sufficient for a cup of Americano with milk.
Step 2) Add Hot Water
Pour your espresso into your cup and add hot water. The ideal temperature for hot beverages is 160 °F (70 °C). However, you can change this temperature according to your taste.
Traditionally, Americano is brewed in hot water from 1:3 to 1:6 espresso, meaning 3 to 6 water units are used for every unit. Since we are making a milky Americano in this recipe, the ratio I recommend is 1:4:2. That is, 1 unit of espresso, 4 units of hot water, and 2 units of milk.
For approximately one cup (8 fl oz or 240 ml) of Americano with milk, you should use 30 ml (1 fl oz) of espresso, 120 ml (4 fl oz) of hot water, and 60 ml (2 fl oz) of milk. These ratios are ideal; you can change them later according to your taste.
Step 3) Add Milk
Adhering to the abovementioned ratios, heat your milk and add it to your cup. You can use whole, soy, oat, or almond milk as milk.
Serving Tips
You can use the same ratios to drink your Americano with cold milk. Add cold water, milk, and plenty of ice to your cup during service.
Add sugar, vanilla, or caramel syrup to sweeten your Americano with milk.
Finally, increase the water ratio to make your coffee stronger and the milk ratio smoother, and discover the ratios that suit your taste.
The Bottom Line
Some people drink Americano black and consider adding milk to it an insult. However, talking about clear rights or wrongs regarding coffee is quite difficult. Therefore, if Americano is too bitter for you, you can make it milder by adding milk.
Finally, if you order an Americano in a cafe and want it with milk, tell the barista you want it added. Otherwise, the barista will serve your Americano black.
Related Recipes
Americano With Milk Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Espresso machine, Nespresso, moka pot or aeropress
- 1 Coffee Grinder
Ingredients
- 1 Shot Espresso
- 120 ml Hot Water
- 60 ml Milk
Instructions
- Pull Your Espresso ShotBrew your espresso. Approximately 30 ml (1 fl oz) of espresso will be sufficient for a cup of Americano with milk.
- Add Hot WaterPour your espresso into your cup and add hot water. The ideal temperature for hot beverages is 160 °F (70 °C). However, you can change this temperature according to your taste. Traditionally, Americano is brewed in hot water from 1:3 to 1:6 espresso, meaning 3 to 6 water units are used for every unit. Since we are making a milky Americano in this recipe, the ratio I recommend is 1:4:2. That is, 1 unit of espresso, 4 units of hot water, and 2 units of milk.For approximately one cup (8 fl oz or 240 ml) of Americano with milk, you should use 30 ml (1 fl oz) of espresso, 120 ml (4 fl oz) of hot water, and 60 ml (2 fl oz) of milk. These ratios are ideal; you can change them later according to your taste.
- Add MilkAdhering to the abovementioned ratios, heat your milk and add it to your cup. You can use whole, soy, oat, or almond milk as milk.
