Here we have two delicious coffee flavors, flat white vs Americano. One is milk-dominant, and the other is espresso-dominant. A flat white is smooth, creamy, and milk-forward, whereas an Americano is bold, watery, and closer to traditional black coffee.
Flat white:
An Aussie drink that is made with an espresso shot and steamed milk, and a thin layer of foam.
Americano:
An Italian-origin drink, it is made with espresso and twice the amount of hot water.
Anyone who loves coffee has two choices: coffee with milk or coffee without milk. Some people prefer a robust taste of coffee without adding anything. Others would find that adding milk to coffee makes it more enjoyable.
Also, check the difference between Americano and cappuccino.
Let’s check all the differences between Americano and flat white in detail.
What are the differences between a flat white and Americano?
These drinks have certain features that make them unique and attractive. Anyone who loves strong taste should pick an Americano, but others would prefer a flat white with milk and other flavors.
So, what are the precise differences between Flat White and Americano? Let’s dive in.
Meanwhile, you can also check the difference between flat white and cappuccino.
Flat white and Americano Difference in Ingredients
Flat white uses milk and espresso while Americano uses espresso and hot water.
Flat White Ingredients
A flat white is a milk-based espresso drink made with:
- Espresso (1–2 shots)
- Steamed milk (fine, velvety microfoam)
- Minimal foam (very thin milk layer on top)
The milk softens the espresso, giving the flat white its smooth, creamy taste.
Americano Ingredients
An Americano is a black coffee–style espresso drink made with:
- Espresso (1–2 shots)
- Hot water
- No milk (unless added separately)
Hot water dilutes the espresso, creating a bold, clean, and slightly bitter flavor similar to drip coffee.
Brewing Methods
Americano and flat white need proper brewing methods to get the desired taste.
Whenever you brew coffee, the method you use affects its taste and aroma.
If you brew according to the given instructions, you could be serving the finest coffee; however, slight negligence could spoil your coffee taste.
Americano brewing method
Americano is made with two parts hot water and one part espresso.
- First, we make an espresso shot.
- Add hot water on top to dilute the bitterness.
- Also, if you want to add a splash of milk to an Americano, you can make a white Americano.
Additionally, you can use two espresso shots to get a strong coffee. But that will also increase the caffeine content in the coffee. Similarly, you can add more water to espresso with a ratio of 1:3.
Flat white brewing method
- First, brew two espresso shots using any coffee or espresso machine.
- Steam the milk in milk frother.
- Make sure it creates foam at the top because flat white gives the perfect taste and texture while adding some microfoam.
- Add steamed milk on top of espresso shots.
Steamed milk and foam reduce the intensity of espresso and add creaminess.
Check comparison between Americano and latte.
Flat white vs. Americano: which drink tastes better?
When you crave coffee, the first thing that comes to mind is what it should taste like. Do you want a strong coffee or something milder and sweeter?
Flat white comes in the category of smoother, creamier, and sweeter coffee.
Americano has a much stronger taste and aroma.
Even though adding hot water to espresso reduces intensity and bitterness, it is still a robust, bitter coffee.
Flat white vs Americano: which drink has more Caffeine?
Both Americano and flat white have similar level of caffeine.
The caffeine content depends on which coffee beans are used and how they are roasted. Because all the caffeine comes from the coffee beans.
So, choose the right coffee beans and make the right roast. A balanced caffeine intake should always be your priority.
No matter what flavors you add, the caffeine depends on how many espresso shots you add in Americano or flat white.
A cup contains around 63 mg of caffeine, which is a balanced content in both drinks. So, we can safely say both drinks have similar caffeine content.
| Feature | Americano | Flat White |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine Content | 60–130 mg (1–2 espresso shots) | 60–130 mg (1–2 espresso shots) |
| Calories | 5–15 kcal (no milk, no sugar) | 120–170 kcal (with whole milk) |
| Cup Size | 8–12 oz (240–360 ml) | 5–6 oz (150–180 ml) |
| Milk Used | None | Steamed milk |
| Best For | Low-calorie, strong coffee lovers | Creamy, smooth coffee lovers |
Another striking comparison between Americano and Macchiato.
Flat white vs. Americano: Which flavor has fewer calories?
Americano has almost no calories, Flat white contains high calories.
In the caffeine battle, no drink is the winner, but when we talk about calories, a flat white is way ahead of Americano.
However, it mostly depends on what type of milk is used. If we use full-fat milk, it will contain a lot of calories.
A flat white with skimmed milk will have around 60 calories per serving without adding other flavors.
Americano is a dream coffee if you want to avoid calories. You can drink as many shots as you like with minimal addition of calories.
In fact, an Americano and espresso have almost no calories.
Why is Americano a healthier drink than flat white?
Americano is a healthier option between the two.
I have mentioned all the essential differences between the two drinks. It is now easier for you to pick one coffee.
You should keep in mind the caffeine and calorie content while choosing a healthier coffee. Americano is the clear winner when you want to pick a more nutritious drink between the two.
Americano is a strong coffee with almost no calories and balanced caffeine. Also, you can make an Americano with milk, but that increases the calories.
Undoubtedly, an Americano comes with the best combination of fewer calories and the finest taste. You can choose flat white while putting behind the healthier option.
Moreover, Americano Misto is another coffee where Americano is made with milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can add milk to an Americano to get a more balanced drink. It reduces the strong taste of espresso and makes a sweeter, creamier coffee.
Americano, because it has almost zero calories.
Yes, Americano coffee can be added with different flavors and sugar. You can also add steamed and foamed milk.
Yes, you can add flavors and sweeteners to a flat white. It is a highly flavorful drink.
Related article.
Espresso vs Americano vs Cappuccino vs Latte: Comparison
Final thoughts: which flavor to pick
pick an Americano if:
- You like black coffee
- You want fewer calories
- You enjoy bold, intense flavors
Choose a flat white if:
- You like creamy coffee
- You prefer milk-based drinks
- You want a smoother espresso experience
To be fair, you cannot compare a drink without added flavors to another with many additives. So, the only way you can compare is when you want certain ingredients in coffee.
If you plan a strong coffee but not as intense as espresso, you can pick Americano because adding how water reduces the intensity of espresso.
Also, Americano should be your choice if you want a good coffee with the fewest ingredients, and it should be a healthier option.