If you love coffee with bold flavor but prefer something smoother and less intense than straight espresso, chances are you’re already familiar with the Americano. It’s a café staple—simple, aromatic, and endlessly customizable. But one question coffee lovers often ask is:
How many shots of espresso are actually used in an Americano?
The answer can vary depending on cup size, strength preference, and regional café standards. In this guide, we break down the typical espresso-to-water ratio, how many shots go into each Americano size, and how to customize the perfect Americano at home.
What Is an Americano, Anyway?
An Americano, or Caffè Americano, is a classic espresso-based drink made by combining espresso with hot water.
This method keeps the espresso’s rich aroma and crema but gives the drink a cleaner, lighter body—something closer to drip coffee while maintaining espresso’s signature brightness.
The Americano’s origin dates back to World War II, when American soldiers in Europe diluted strong Italian espresso with hot water to resemble the drip coffee they were used to. The name stuck, and the Americano has been a global favorite ever since.
So, How Many Espresso Shots Are Used in an Americano?
Standard Americano Recipe
A typical Americano uses:
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1–2 shots of espresso
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6–8 oz (180–240 ml) of hot water
But the actual number of shots depends heavily on cup size and café standards.
Do All Coffee Shops Use the Same Number of Shots?
Not exactly. Different chains and specialty cafés follow different standards.
Starbucks
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Tall (12 oz): 2 shots
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Grande (16 oz): 3 shots
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Venti (20 oz): 4 shots
Most Local Specialty Cafés
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Small: 1 shot
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Medium: 2 shots
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Large: 2–3 shots
You can always request extra shots—or fewer—based on your preference.
The Iced Americano Variation
Iced Americanos follow similar rules, but because ice dilutes the drink further, baristas often use the same—sometimes more—espresso shots to keep the flavor bold.
Most cafés prepare them like this:
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Tall Iced Americano: 2 shots
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Grande Iced Americano: 3 shots
Cold water + melting ice means espresso intensity must stay strong, or it becomes watery too quickly.
What Determines the Number of Shots?
1. Espresso-to-Water Ratio
A classic Americano follows a 1:2 espresso-to-water ratio, though some cafés stretch it to 1:3 or even more depending on taste preference.
Stronger = less water Lighter = more water
2. Espresso Strength & Extraction
A traditional single shot yields 25–30 ml of espresso. But depending on grind size, dose, extraction ratio, and brewing method, the strength can vary—affecting how many shots are ideal.
3. Personal Preference
Some ask for:
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“Extra strong” or “add a shot”
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“Light Americano” (more water)
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“Quad shot Americano” (yes, it’s a thing!)
4. Caffeine Impact
Each shot contains roughly 60–75 mg of caffeine.
So:
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1-shot Americano: ~60–75 mg
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2-shot Americano: ~120–150 mg
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3-shot Americano: ~180–225 mg
Even though the drink is diluted, the caffeine content stays the same—it just feels milder because of the added water.
5. Flavor and Mouthfeel
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More shots = richer, deeper flavor and thicker mouthfeel
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Fewer shots = cleaner, lighter taste
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Pouring order matters:
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Espresso over hot water = smoother classic Americano
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Hot water over espresso = preserves crema (long black style)
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How to Make the Perfect Americano at Home
Ingredients
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Fresh espresso beans
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1–3 shots of espresso
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6–10 oz hot water
Steps
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Brew the espresso. A quality machine (like the Wirsh Espresso Machine Home Barista Plus) ensures stable pressure and temperature. Using a consistent grinder—such as the Geimori Series coffee grinder—improves flavor clarity.
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Heat your water to 75–85°C (167–185°F).
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Add hot water to the cup. (The Home Barista Plus has a built-in hot water dispensing function.)
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Pour the espresso over the water. This helps maintain flavor balance and prevents bitter over-extraction.
Customizing Your Americano
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Stronger flavor: Add an extra shot
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Milder flavor: One shot + more water
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Richer mouthfeel: Use a finer grind
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Sweeter notes: Choose medium roast espresso beans
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Iced version: Pour espresso over cold water + ice
Final Thoughts
A standard Americano usually includes 1–2 shots of espresso, but the beauty of this drink lies in its flexibility. You can easily customize the strength, caffeine level, and flavor profile to match your taste.
Once you understand the basics, crafting the perfect Americano—hot or iced—becomes simple, satisfying, and delicious.
