How To Make Coffee From Espresso | A Barista’s Guide

To make coffee from espresso, pull a double shot and dilute it with hot water. Two common methods are the Americano and the Long Black.

If you’ve ever stood at a coffee bar and wondered whether espresso and drip coffee come from different beans, you’re not alone. Many people think espresso requires a special roast, but the real difference is the brewing method. A short, concentrated shot can easily become a full cup of coffee with just one addition: hot water.

That simple process goes by two popular names — the Americano and the Long Black. Both start with a double espresso shot, but the order of ingredients changes the flavor and the foam. This guide walks through the methods, ratios, and a few practical tips so you can make a satisfying coffee at home without a drip machine.

What’s The Difference Between An Americano And A Long Black?

An Americano is made by pouring hot water directly over a freshly pulled shot of espresso. That splash breaks up the crema — the golden foam on top — which gives the drink a smoother, less frothy mouthfeel.

A Long Black, by contrast, starts with hot water in the cup, and the espresso is poured gently on top. That careful pour preserves much of the crema, so the drink has a richer foam layer and a slightly bolder taste.

Many coffee enthusiasts describe the difference as subtle but noticeable. For a standard 6-ounce cup, many baristas suggest a water-to-espresso ratio of about 3:1 or 4:1, depending on how strong you want the final drink to be.

Why Home Espresso Drinkers Want A Bigger Cup

If you bought an espresso machine to save money or upgrade your morning routine, you’ve probably noticed that a single shot is small. A double shot is only about 2 ounces. That’s not the 12-ounce mug you’re used to. So learning how to lengthen it with water is the natural next step.

• Start with a double shot: A single shot (1 ounce) gets lost when diluted. Many Americano recipes call for a double espresso — roughly 2 ounces of concentrated coffee.
• Heat water separately or use the wand: The hot water should be near boiling (around 200°F). Many espresso machines have a dedicated hot water spout, or you can boil water in a kettle.
• Warm your mug: Pour a splash of hot water into your cup before brewing, then dump it out. This keeps the coffee from cooling down instantly.
• Tweak the ratio: A 1:3 espresso-to-water ratio gives a strong, full cup. Try 1:4 for a milder drink similar to standard drip coffee.
• Pick a dark roast bean: Lighter roasts can taste sour or overly acidic when diluted. Darker roasts hold up better and give a classic coffee flavor.

These steps come from home barista forums and coffee blog tests, not official recipes, so feel free to adjust them. The goal is to make a coffee you actually want to drink.

The Health Angle: Non-Filtered Coffee And Cholesterol

Before you start drinking Americanos by the quart, it’s worth knowing one thing about espresso-based coffee. Because espresso is brewed without a paper filter, it retains natural oils called diterpenes — specifically cafestol and kahweol. These compounds have been linked to a modest increase in LDL cholesterol.

A 2022 review in the journal Nutrients, published by NIH/PMC, looked at the effects of unfiltered coffee. The researchers found that for people who drink nine or more servings a day, the risk of cardiovascular disease death may rise by up to 25 percent. That’s a lot of coffee. For moderate intake — one or two cups — the risk appears small. The espresso cholesterol risk study is a useful reference if you’re concerned about heart health and coffee.

If you’re watching your cholesterol, you don’t need to give up your morning Americano. Most health experts suggest that one or two espresso-based drinks a day is fine. But if you drink several, switching to paper-filtered coffee can reduce the diterpene content.

Both methods produce a drink that’s essentially coffee — the subtle differences come down to personal preference. If you’re unsure which to try, a Long Black is the safer bet for retaining the espresso’s character.

Step-By-Step: How To Make An Americano Or Long Black

Here’s a straightforward method that works with any home espresso machine. The same steps apply whether you prefer an Americano or a Long Black — just switch the order of water and espresso.

1. Grind and tamp a double shot: Use about 16-18 grams of dark roast coffee. Tamp evenly and lock the portafilter into the machine.
2. Pull the shot: Run the machine until you have about 2 ounces (60 ml) of espresso. The shot should take 25-30 seconds for a proper extraction.
3. Heat your water: If your machine has a hot water spout, use it to dispense 4-6 ounces of near-boiling water into your mug. Alternatively, boil water separately.
4. Combine in the correct order: For an Americano, pour the hot water over the espresso. For a Long Black, pour the espresso over the hot water.
5. Stir and enjoy: Give the drink a quick stir to blend, then taste. Adjust by adding more hot water if it’s too strong, or a splash of milk if you prefer.

That’s it. Once you’ve done it once, you’ll have a sense of the ratio you like. Many home baristas keep a small kitchen scale to dial in the exact weight of espresso and water.

Crema And Flavor: Why The Pour Order Matters

The crema is the thin layer of golden foam that forms on top of a well-pulled espresso. It’s made of emulsified oils and trapped gases, and it carries a lot of the aroma and a hint of bitterness. Preserving that crema is one reason some drinkers prefer the Long Black. Sage’s appliance blog notes that pouring espresso over water rather than the reverse keeps the crema intact — the Long Black retains crema more effectively.

When you pour water over espresso, the stream breaks up the foam and mixes it into the drink. That’s why an Americano has a more uniform appearance — no distinct foam layer — and a smoother texture. Both are valid preferences, and many people switch between them depending on their mood.

Outside of the crema question, water quality matters too. Using filtered water rather than tap water can improve the overall taste. And preheating your cup helps maintain the temperature, which keeps the crema stable for longer.

The Bottom Line

Making coffee from espresso is surprisingly simple once you understand the two main methods. Start with a double shot, add hot water in the order you prefer, and adjust the ratio until it tastes right. For occasional consumption, the health concerns around diterpenes are minimal — the biggest variable is your own taste.

If you’re managing high cholesterol and drink several espresso-based coffees daily, a chat with your primary care provider can help you decide whether switching to filtered coffee makes sense for your numbers.