This bold and refreshing iced Americano beats any coffee shop version! Learn the technique that transforms basic espresso into the perfect iced coffee drink, from two coffee experts who’ve cracked the code.
My first homemade iced Americano was a revelation. I love a good classic Americano—diluting creamy espresso with hot water opens up its flavor and lets you enjoy the cup a little longer. But often, coffee shop versions taste weak and watered down. Made at home, the rich, bold espresso poured over ice created something infinitely better than anything I’d ever had at any coffee shop!
Now, making an iced Americano is my morning ritual (though let’s be honest, Alex usually makes it for me!). Once you master this simple technique, you’ll never go back to coffee shop versions! As two coffee experts, we’ve mastered making just about every coffee drink at home. Here’s how to make an iced Americano!
Ingredients you need
A classic Americano is an espresso drink made with hot water and espresso, also called a Caffe Americano. The drink can be made with either one or two shots of espresso and varying ratios of water. A true Americano does not include milk like a latte or cappuccino.
An Iced Americano a coffee drink made by combining espresso shots with cold water and ice—essentially, a classic Americano over ice. The cold water is optional: you can add it or simply let the ice do the diluting. For this drink you’ll need:
- 1 doubleshot espresso
- ½ cup ice
- Cold water, optional
How to make an iced Americano
If you order a classic Americano at Starbucks, it tastes like watered down coffee—so it’s no surprise the iced Americano at Starbucks has a weak flavor. But make an Americano with an espresso machine and it’s incredible: rich and bold, with a robust dark espresso flavor. This Iced Americano is infinitely better than the Starbucks version. Here are the basic steps for how to make an iced Americano:
- Make 1 doubleshot espresso. Use one of our basic methods including an espresso machine, portable espresso maker, French press, or Moka pot.
- Pour the espresso into a glass with ½ cup ice. Swirl and taste.
- Add cold water, if desired. If you’d like, you can dilute it with a bit of cold water (start with 2 tablespoons and increase to taste). But we like it with no dilution—just let the ice gradually water down the drink as it melts.
Tips for making the espresso
The essential part of an Iced Americano is making great espresso. You’ll want to start with an espresso roast coffee, which is important for achieving the robust, rich flavor—like espresso roast from Illy, Starbucks or Intelligentsia. Then, pick a method to try:
- Espresso machine: A countertop espresso machine makes for the best flavor (see How to Make Espresso). Or, make espresso without a machine using one of the methods below.
- Portable espresso maker: The next best option is a manual espresso maker: it’s easy, affordable, and makes great espresso.
- French press: One of our favorite alternatives is French press espresso! It makes a decent cup with a coffee tool you may already have on hand.
- Moka Pot: You can also make strong espresso-like coffee in a Moka Pot (Bialetti).
Frequently asked questions
While espresso is traditionally used for an Iced Americano, you can use strong brewed coffee or even instant coffee in a pinch. However, keep in mind that the flavor profile will be different.
Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a smoother, less acidic flavor. An Iced Americano, on the other hand, is made with freshly brewed espresso and offers a more intense coffee experience.
You can easily adjust the strength by adding more or fewer espresso shots or by changing the ratio of espresso to water.
Aa classic Iced Americano is enjoyed black, but feel free to customize it to your liking. You can add a splash of milk, cream, or your favorite sweetener. This starts to become similar to drinks an Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Espresso.
Iced Americano (Better Than Starbucks)
This bold and refreshing iced Americano beats any coffee shop version! Learn the technique that transforms basic espresso into the perfect iced coffee drink, from two coffee experts who’ve cracked the code.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: Drink
- Method: Coffee
- Cuisine: Coffee
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- ½ cup ice
- 2 ounces (1 doubleshot) espresso
- 2 tablespoons cold water (optional)
Instructions
- Make the espresso: Make the espresso using an espresso machine, manual espresso maker, French press, or Moka Pot. Go to How to Make Espresso for instructions.
- Add the ice: Add the ice to glass. Pour the espresso over ice. Taste and add cold water, if desired (but the ice sufficiently dilutes the espresso so it’s not required).
Other iced coffee drinks to try
Let us know what you think of this iced Americano: it’s one of our favorite drinks for everyday refreshing coffee breaks! You also can turn just about every coffee drink into an iced drink! Here are some favorite iced coffee and espresso drinks to try:
- Opt for an iced espresso, or the delicious iced brown sugar oat milk espresso.
- Learn how to make iced coffee or try French press iced coffee.
- Go chocolaty with an iced white chocolate mocha, iced mocha, or mocha frappe.
- Grab an iced cappuccino with cold foam, an iced latte, or an iced vanilla latte.
- Pick tea instead and make an iced matcha latte or iced chai latte.
