Iced Americano vs Iced Coffee

Iced Americano and iced coffee are among the most consumed iced/cold coffees worldwide. Although they may seem very similar in taste and appearance, they have significant differences.

In this guide by Best Coffee at Home, we will highlight the similarities and differences between iced Americano and iced coffee. This way, you can easily decide which to order at a cafe or prepare at home.

Before we delve into the similarities and differences, let’s quickly recall what iced Americano and iced coffee are.

What is Iced Americano?

Iced Americano is a coffee drink that adds cold water and ice to espresso. It’s like a regular Americano but uses cold water instead of hot.

Here’s how you can think of it:

Americano: espresso + hot water

Iced Americano: espresso + cold water + ice cubes

You can easily make Iced Americano home with an espresso machine. Just mix an espresso shot with cold water and ice.

You can check out our homemade iced Americano recipe here.

Related: Steamed Iced Americano Recipe

What is Iced Coffee?

Iced coffee is a beverage brewed using any method and served over ice. 

You can brew iced coffee using your preferred methods, such as a French press, Chemex, Hario V60, Aeropress, Keurig or Nespresso machine. After brewing the coffee, simply pour it over ice for serving.

Related: Japanese Iced Coffee Recipe

Related: Iced Long Black Recipe

Can you understand the difference between iced americano and iced coffee just by looking at their looks?

Iced Americano and iced coffee may seem the same. They both involve coffee with ice and can create the perception that they are identical. However, they have several differences.

Iced Americano has a thin layer of foam on top derived from the espresso shot. In iced coffee, this foam layer is either absent or negligible.

Another visual difference is related to the clarity of the coffee liquids. Iced Americano appears cloudy because it is made from espresso shots, which do not use a paper filter. As a result, fine coffee grounds are mixed into the drink, creating a cloudy appearance.

On the other hand, Iced coffee can be cloudy or clear depending on the brewing method. For example, an iced coffee brewed with a Chemex or Hario V60 may appear clearer than one brewed with a French press.

In summary, all iced Americanos have a cloudy texture, while the clarity of iced coffee depends on the brewing method and can be either cloudy or clear.

Related: Iced Americano vs. Cold Brew

Do Iced Americano and Iced Coffee Have the Same Taste?

Although iced Americano and iced coffee may appear similar, they are quite different in taste. The main reason for this is that iced Americano is an espresso-based coffee.

• When you drink iced Americano and iced coffee together, the first noticeable difference is the acidity. Iced Americano is more acidic compared to iced coffee.
• Iced Americano has a more bitter taste than iced coffee.
• Due to espresso’s crema, iced Americano has a more oily texture. This also contributes to its higher acidity compared to iced coffee.
• Iced Americano has an intense, rich, and complex flavor profile, while iced coffee has chocolatey and caramel notes.
• Iced Americano has a bolder coffee taste, while iced coffee tastes thinner.

Related: Americano vs Espresso

The Caffeine Content of Iced Americano and Iced Coffee

If we look at Starbucks beverages, Iced Americano contains approximately 30% more caffeine than Iced Coffee. You can see the variation in total caffeine values based on sizes in the table below.

Tips for Customizing Your Cold Coffee

If the taste of Iced Americano or Iced Coffee feels heavy or strong, you can achieve a smoother drink with a few magical touches.

You can add the following to your Iced Americano or Iced Coffee:

• Milk
• Caramel
• Maple syrup
• Vanilla syrup
• Coffee creamer
• Honey
• Sugar

Note: Add sugar to your Iced Americano or Iced Coffee just before cooling it down. Trying to dissolve sugar in cold coffee can be a bit annoying.

Conclusion for Homemade Iced Americano and Iced Coffee

In the comparison articles we publish on Bestcoffeeathome.com, we generally do not seek a winner because everyone’s taste buds are different.

On the other hand, I enjoy and frequently consume the most popular cold coffees worldwide: cold brew, Iced Americano, and Iced Coffee.

When I want to have a cold coffee, my perspective usually goes like this:

• If I want a coffee with a strong taste on the palate and a rich coffee aroma, I prefer Iced Americano.
• If I don’t feel comfortable with the bitterness of Iced Americano, and I still want a coffee that has acidity and makes its presence felt in the mouth, I choose Iced Coffee.
• If I want a cold coffee but don’t want bitter flavors and acidity, I go for a cold brew.

Related Recipes

• White Americano 101
• Americano Misto
• Americano with Milk