An Americano, also known as Caffè Americano, is a type of coffee drink that is prepared by diluting an espresso shot with hot water at a 1:3 to 1:4 ratio, resulting in a lighter drink that retains the complex flavors of espresso
. It is believed to have originated during World War II when American soldiers in Italy found the traditional espresso too strong for their taste and diluted it with hot water to create a drink more similar to the coffee they were accustomed to
. The name "Americano" is derived from the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese word for "American"
