If you are a caffeine aficionado who loves a deliciously strong cup of coffee in the morning but aren’t sure whether you prefer an iced americano or an iced coffee drink when the weather turns warm, we’ve got the perfect in-depth guide for you.
From the origin of americanos to the perfect iced coffee recipes, continue our guide below to learn more about iced americanos, iced coffee, and the differences between them.
| Iced Americano | Iced Coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Type | Espresso | Ground Coffee |
| Flavor | Served black — mild coffee flavor | Can be served with milk, cream, sugar, etc. to vary the flavor |
| Strength | Mild — mix of espresso and water to dilute the flavor a bit | Varies, depending on brew time, beans used, and additions |
| Caffeine Level | High | Medium |
| Calories | 15 | 1 (if served black) or more if cream and sugar are added |
All About Iced Americanos
Americanos are among the most popular coffee beverages in the United States. An iced americano, though it may seem different than a regular americano, is really just an americano over ice instead of served hot — hence, the iced version of an americano.
The method of making an americano is fairly straightforward: a barista or at-home coffee brewer usually pours two shots of espresso into hot water.
Then, they add cold milk, cream, sugar, flavoring, or syrup of choice to their preference. Traditionally, however, americanos are supposed to be served black without any additions.
For an iced americano, the barista pours two espresso shots into cold or room-temperature water and adds the mixture to an ice-filled glass, leaving you with a tasty, cold coffee drink for a warm day.
There are a few different theories regarding the origins of the americano. One tells the story of American soldiers stationed in Italy during World War II.
The soldiers weren’t accustomed to the method Italians used to drink coffee. They wanted large cups of what they considered regular coffee, but traditionally, Italians drank a single espresso shot, served in a shot glass.
Additionally, the American soldiers couldn’t acclimate to the bitter taste of Italian espresso, and they began adding hot water to dilute it.
Eventually, this became the standard process for Americans abroad who were unused to Italian coffee habits.
When the Americans wanted a stronger, more concentrated coffee, they would simply add an extra shot of espresso to their drink.
This choice earned the beverage the name, “americano.”
Another theory is that americanos originated as a French and Italian joke about how Americans prefer watered-down coffee.
Whenever the French or Italians added water to the coffee beverage, they called it an americano to poke fun at American coffee.
In either case, the americano has become one of the most popular versions of coffee in America since its creation.
How to Make a Delicious Iced Americano
Iced americanos are a simple and quick beverage nearly anyone can make at home as long as they have an espresso machine. To make a delicious iced americano, you will need the following ingredients:
- An espresso machine or other espresso coffee maker
- Cold water, either spring or filtered
- Ice cubes
- A tall glass for serving
- An optional straw
- A bag of espresso beans
- A coffee grinder
- A long spoon
Once you have gathered your ingredients, you can make your americano by following the process below:
Step 1: Measure out one serving of espresso beans (usually two scoops)
Step 2: Grind your espresso beans in your coffee grinder until the coffee grounds are a smooth powder, not granular
Step 3: Brew two shots of espresso, or one double shot if your machine has the option for it
Step 4: Fill a nice glass with cold spring or filtered water. Remember to only add around 50ml of water per every two espresso shots — an incorrect coffee to water ratio will dilute the flavor too much
Step 5: Add ice to the glass until it is almost completely full
Step 6: Pour your espresso shots on top of the ice
Step 7: Use your spoon to gently mix the beverage until it all appears to be one color
Step 8: Add cream and sugar only if necessary to preference
Satisfying Traditional Iced Coffees
Iced coffee is enjoyed by coffee lovers across the world. Its strong taste, cool and refreshing temperature, and tasty aroma have won over the hearts of many as a popular warm-weather drink.
Made from the simple combination of black coffee, ice, and the option of adding a bit of creamer or sugar, this drink can be customized to match nearly every flavor preference.
The americano is still considered the most popular iced caffeinated beverage option, but iced coffee comes in at a close second.
And while iced americanos are said to have originated in Italy or France around the time of World War II, iced coffee has a different origin story.
The original iced coffee recipe is said to have come from French Algeria in 1840. Based on an Algerian drink called Mazagran.
Made from cold water, cane sugar, and coffee syrup, Mazagran was commonly consumed by the French soldiers stationed in Algeria who created it.
Making a Satisfying Iced Coffee
Iced coffee is slightly more challenging to make than an iced americano, but can also be seamlessly made at home with the proper tools and ingredients.
To make your at-home iced coffee, you need the following:
- A bag of coffee beans
- A coffee grinder
- A coffee pot or coffeemaker such as an Aeropress or french press
- Ice cubes
- Sugar, milk, and flavoring optional
- A glass for serving
- A long silver spoon
To start your iced coffee, make sure you give yourself at least an hour and take the following steps:
Step 1: Measure a few scoops of coffee beans into your grinder
Step 2: Grind your coffee beans until they are fit for your coffee maker type
Step 3: Brew your ground coffee until you have one cup of coffee (8 ounces) available for a small serving
Step 4: Fill your glass with ice
Step 5: Wait for your coffee to cool to room temperature
Step 6: Pour your brewed coffee over the ice
Step 7: Add more ice if needed to fill the glass
Step 8: Option to add sugar, milk, and flavoring, and stir with your spoon
The Main Beverage Differences
While iced americanos and iced coffees are quite similar, they do have many differences. From their origins to their flavor profiles, the main differences between iced americanos and iced coffees include:
- Iced coffee originated in Algeria, while iced americanos came from Italy and France
- Iced americanos are served black, while iced coffees can be served with some flavor, sugar, and cream
- Iced americanos are watered down more than iced coffee and therefore have a more mild flavor
- Iced coffees can be made extra strong depending on how long the coffee is brewed and how many coffee beans are used per serving
- Iced americanos contain water, while iced coffee only contains cold coffee
- Iced americanos and iced coffees contain different amounts of caffeine
- Iced coffee can be made by brewing coffee in almost any type of coffee maker while iced americanos require an espresso machine to pull the espresso shots
However different they may be, these cold coffee options also have a range of similarities, such as:
- Both iced americanos and iced coffees are cold beverages containing ice
- Both drinks are served in a glass
- Both beverages usually require mixing with a spoon
- Both iced americanos and iced coffees contain caffeine but can also be made decaf
- Both beverages are popular at most coffee shops across the world but can also be successfully made at home
- Both are popular coffee drinks and beloved by many
The Difference in Caffeine Content
An iced americano and iced coffee will most likely always have a caffeine content difference. Though iced americanos contain water, adding water to a caffeinated beverage doesn’t change the actual amount of caffeine it contains.
The caffeine in iced americanos, however, takes longer to enter the system due to dilution compared to an iced coffee that has not been diluted.
Iced americanos containing two espresso shots usually have a total of around 136mg of caffeine per serving — each espresso shot used generally has around 68mg of caffeine total.
Each shot subsequently adds an additional 68mg of caffeine for a compounding effect.
With iced coffee, however, the caffeine content depends heavily on how much coffee you use per 8 ounces of beverage, and which coffee brewing technique you choose.
On average, French presses yield 223mg of caffeine per cup of iced coffee, while a Chemex produces 172mg of caffeine. For something in-between, try an Aeropress, which supplies 185mg per cup of iced coffee.
Iced Americanos and Iced Coffee vs. Iced Lattes
The third most popular iced cafe beverage is an iced latte. The main difference between iced americanos, iced coffees, and iced lattes is the milk content.
An iced latte replaces the water content of the americano, instead of adding milk or a non-dairy milk alternative of the drinker’s choice.
Similar to iced coffee, iced lattes are often sweetened with various flavors or topped with additions like cinnamon or whipped cream.
Finding Your Perfect Coffee Beverage
Whether you are looking for a cool milk beverage to enjoy throughout the last days of summer or want to try making your own iced coffee at home for the first time, these deliciously cold drinks offer something for everyone.
Mix it up by adding extra espresso shots, or put some vanilla in your iced coffee for a twist. Your taste buds will thank you.
Happy Caffeiating!
