Iced Americano

Ingredients:

• Freshly brewed espresso (single or double shot)
• Cold water
• Ice cubes (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup)

Equipment:

• Espresso machine (or another method for making espresso)
• Ice (preferably large cubes to prevent rapid dilution)
• Tall glass (12–16 oz)
• Kettle (optional) if you’re heating the water separately

Steps:

1. Brew the Espresso
   Brew a single or double shot of espresso. As with a regular Americano, aim for about 9–10 grams of coffee for a single shot, or 18–20 grams for a double shot.
2. Prepare the Glass with Ice
   Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. The more ice you use, the more diluted your drink will become as it melts, so adjust based on your preferences. If you want to minimize dilution, use larger ice cubes or ice spheres.
3. Add Hot Espresso Over the Ice
   Pour the freshly brewed espresso directly over the ice. The ice will immediately cool down the espresso and cause it to chill rapidly.
4. Add Cold Water
   Pour cold water into the glass. For a balanced flavor, use about the same amount of water as espresso. For a milder taste, you can add more water, depending on how strong you like your coffee. The ratio of water-to-espresso will typically be 1:1 to 1:2.
5. Stir and Adjust
   Stir gently to mix the espresso and water. This will help to evenly chill and dilute the coffee. Taste and adjust the water if you prefer a milder or stronger flavor.
6. Serve and Enjoy
   Your iced Americano is ready! You can garnish with a lemon slice or even add a splash of simple syrup if you want a slightly sweetened version.