There are countless coffee flavors worldwide. It’s nearly impossible to know them all. However, Americano vs Macchiato compares two high-quality yet very different drinks. Americano adds water to espresso, while Macchiato adds a small amount of milk.
However, what makes these drinks so popular? Because both add espresso as the base drink, and espresso has no comparison when it comes to taste and aroma.
So espresso is common in both drinks, but adding milk or water makes all the difference.
The difference is that an Americano is made with hot water and espresso, whereas a macchiato is prepared with espresso and a small amount of milk.
Let’s dive into checking all the differences in more detail.
First infographic comparison.
Infographic comparison, it compares Americano and Macchiato in taste, ingredients, caffeine, and much more.
Also, Americano is made of various types. One of which is blonde Americano.
What is Americano coffee, and how to make it?
Like all strong coffee flavors, Americano was also introduced in Italy. It was initiated to dilute the intensity of espresso by adding hot water.
It has become one of the most popular coffees in America. Even though it is a pretty simple drink with only a few ingredients.
Related article. Americano with Milk: how to make it? A complete guide
Americano prepares with two or one espresso shot and doubles the amount of hot water. This drink usually doesn’t add any flavor or sugar. It depends if you have a large cup.
You can add two espresso shots. Otherwise, one cup is enough. In Americano, water makes all the difference; it dilutes the boldness of espresso and makes it milder.
You can also make white Americano.
Americano is an easy drink to make at home without needing many ingredients. You only have to make one espresso shot and add hot water at the top.
Add hot water, remove the crema from the espresso shot.
You can add ice and cream to make an iced Americano with cream.
What is Macchiato coffee?
Here again, another coffee flavor originated from Italy. The baristas experimented with espresso by adding a splash of milk.
Therefore, a new drink was born; it was named Macchiato. If you want some milk in an espresso, a Macchiato is the flavor.
Macchiato needs one or two espresso shots with a quarter of steamed milk; adding steamed milk changes the texture and taste: However, macchiato still has a robust flavor with a slightly creamy appearance.
Also, like Americano, Macchiato is an easy drink to make at home. First, make two espresso shots. Secondly, prepare one ounce of steamed milk and pour it over the espresso cup.
Also, check the difference between Mocha vs Macchiato.
What is the difference between an Americano and a Macchiato?
These drinks differ in ingredients, taste, and aroma. If you love espresso with only water, Americano is the drink. Whereas, a Macchiato has espresso and a small volume of milk.
Table: Americano vs Macchiato
| Feature | Americano | Macchiato |
|---|---|---|
| Base Ingredient | Espresso | Espresso |
| Milk Content | No milk | A small amount of milk or milk foam |
| Water Content | Hot water (about 2:1 water to espresso) | None |
| Texture | Thin, smooth | Creamy top, strong body |
| Strength | Milder than espresso due to dilution | Stronger, concentrated flavor |
| Flavor Profile | Light, smooth, mellow espresso | Bold, rich, slightly sweet from milk |
| Crema | Mostly dissipates with added water | Retained under milk or foam |
| Serving Size | 5–8 oz (150–240 mL) | 1–2 oz (30–60 mL) |
| Typical Ratio | 1 part espresso : 2 parts hot water | Espresso topped with a splash of milk |
| Cup Type | Tall cup or glass | Small demitasse cup |
| Calories (approx.) | 5 or less (no milk) | 15–30 kcal (depends on milk amount) |
| Foam | slight crema on top | Thin layer of milk foam or a small dollop of steamed milk |
| Preparation Method | Add hot water to espresso | Add a small amount of steamed milk or foam to espresso |
| Common Variations | Iced Americano, long black | Latte macchiato, caramel macchiato |
Americano vs Macchiato: Which flavor tastes better?
A macchiato is bolder and more intense than an Americano.
Both are espresso-based beverages, which means they are strong and bitter.
- Americano
Adding twice as much hot water to an Americano weakens the espresso, making it milder and less strong.
- Macchiato
Macchiato has a milder taste due to a slight addition of steamed milk. However, it is still stronger and much more bitter than Americano due to the prominent espresso coffee.
Americano vs Macchiato: Which flavor has less caffeine?
Americano contains less Caffeine than a Macchiato.
It depends on how many shots of espresso are being used. We know that one shot of espresso contains 63 mg of Caffeine.
Also, coffee beans determine how much caffeine is in a flavor. So you can control the caffeine in your coffee.
Americano is usually prepared with one espresso shot, and a Macchiato is made with two espresso shots. It means Macchiato has twice the caffeine compared to Americano.
Also, check how to make an Americano Misto.
Also, the caffeine content depends on whether the coffee beans are lightly or darkly roasted.
Darkly roasted coffee beans have less Caffeine than lightly roasted coffee beans. You can try dark roasted beans to get less caffeine in your coffee.
Why does a Macchiato contain more calories than an Americano?
Macchiato has more Calories than Americano.
A macchiato has one part of steamed milk, which contains all the calories. An Americano has only an espresso shot, which contains almost no calories.
Even though Macchiato has less steamed and foamed milk when compared to other milky drinks like cappuccino and latte, it has fewer calories.
Americano should be a great option if you want to avoid calories.
Americano vs Macchiato: which drink is best for you?
I think when picking a certain coffee drink, you should know your preferences. Nobody will tell you the perfect drink for you.
All you have to do is check the drink’s ingredients, calories, and caffeine content.
- Americano
Americano is always the favorite coffee flavor for many; it has no milk and added flavors. If you are new to the coffee world, the Americano may have a strong and bitter flavor.
But with time, you will love its taste and aroma.
- Macchiato
And Macchiato also has a great coffee flavor since it adds a small volume of steamed milk, making it slightly sweeter. Also, milk makes it creamy and flavorful.
However, you can use it more instead of latte and cappuccino.
But an Americano is the ultimate choice if you like an espresso drink with hot water.
Also, Americano is a healthier drink with almost no calories. Cortado vs Macchiato is another great comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Americano comes with one espresso shot and hot water. This coffee comes with almost no calories and a balanced amount of Caffeine. Like espresso, Americano is also a healthy coffee.
Americano is an espresso-based drink that contains a good amount of antioxidants. It also contains other essential nutrients for the body. This coffee has good impacts on the body.
A macchiato is not sweet by default. It has a bold, slightly bitter espresso taste, softened just a little by milk or foam. Any sweetness usually comes from added syrups, especially in café-style versions.
No, a traditional macchiato is espresso with a small amount of milk, while a latte macchiato is mostly milk with a small amount of espresso. They are very different drinks.
Interesting topic
Doppio Vs Espresso, What Is The Difference?
Final thoughts
Well, if you expect a highly flavorful and delicious drink, you will be disappointed; none of these drinks has extra flavors. However, Macchiato is a much better and sweeter flavor due to the addition of milk.
You can use Macchiaot if you always prefer milk in your coffee. It contains only one-quarter of milk and more espresso.
However, Americano is always my choice of with delight strong and bitter taste. You can consume many cups a day without worrying about calories.
Americano is undoubtedly a better drink in many flavors, except when you compare it with espresso. Because no flavor can compete with espresso.