Long Black / Americano
Unlike the Lungo where the entire beverage is extracted through the coffee, an Americano is a double espresso with hot water added.
Hot water directly from an espresso machine can spit around the cup making the presentation of the cup messy. Another method is to add the water to the cup first allowing room for the coffee and pour a double shot on top. The espresso then holds its crema on top of the beverage making for a much more pleasant looking beverage also known as a long black.
Popular belief is that the drink came from American soldiers stationed overseas during World War II. Baristas added hot water to espressos to resemble the drip coffee they were accustomed to in America at the time.
