What is Cafe Americano?

The owner of the Texas-based coffee shop Roasters Coffee and Tea, Craig Gualtiere started working in the establishment in 1994 as an employee and bought it four years later. Under Craig Gualtiere's administration, Roasters Coffee and Tea has grown from one store to three and has been consistently listed as the best local coffee shop in Amarillo, Texas.

Founded in 1992, Roasters Coffee and Tea serves freshly roasted coffee to Amarillo’s community. Its stores are located in Georgia Street, Bell Street and Soncy Road in Amarillo, offering a broad menu with a variety of hot and cold drinks for its customers, including the cafe americano.

The cafe americano, or American coffee, is comprised of a double shot of espresso watered down. The typical ratio is two ounces of espresso with four ounces of hot water to dilute it. Milk and sugar can be added to this beverage as well. Due to the hot water infusion, American coffee is typically less intense than an espresso.

It is believed that the origins of the American coffee date back to World War II. American soldiers fighting in Europe were not used to the strong taste of coffee existing in the region which is why they diluted it with hot water. The drink can also be served cold with a few ice cubes to make an iced cafe americano.