A white Americano is a great way to start the day. It’s a short, sharp caffeine hit that will give you a quick boost of energy and clear your head.
But what is a white Americano? Is it just an Americano made with milk? And how do you make the perfect white Americano at home?
Those are some of the questions I’ll be answering in this article. Get ready to make the perfect white Americano at home within a few minutes!
What is a white Americano?
A white Americano is an espresso drink that is made by combining espresso coffee and hot water and topping this off with a splash of milk. The milk added can be cold, steamed, but it can also be foamed milk only.

This drink is perfect for those who like to make (or order) an Americano on a regular basis but prefer to switch things up every once in a while.
The added milk will give this white Americano more depth, flavor, and a slight sweetness that just feels right.
Below, you’ll find the ingredients needed to make this coffee at home, information about the best coffee roasts to use, and the different ways to add the milk to your coffee.
Which ingredients are needed to make a white Americano?
There are just three main components needed to make a white Americano at home:
- Espresso coffee
- Hot water
- Whole milk

To make this recipe into the best drink for you, you can use any milk you prefer. I like using whole milk for most coffee drinks because it has a nice full flavor, but any kind of milk will do for this recipe.
This recipe is based on a regular Americano. It’s essential to get the coffee basis right.
This is why I’ll go over the different types of coffee beans you can use for this recipe below:
What is the best coffee roast for this recipe?
There isn’t really a “best” roast for this recipe since it will depend on your personal taste preferences.
However, a darker roast will likely be more bitter and have a stronger coffee flavor, while a lighter roast will be less bitter and have a milder coffee flavor.
Did you know that a blonde roast is stronger than a darker roast? Check out this article to learn more about it!

So it depends on the coffee flavor you prefer the most. You can have a look below for my recommendation:
- If you like your coffee with a strong, bold flavor, then a dark roast would be good.
- If you prefer a more mellow and nuanced flavor, then a light roast will provide a more delicate flavor.
- While a medium roast will be more full-bodied but still not too overpowering and will be best for most.
I prefer using a medium roast for this recipe. I like using this coffee roast when making a regular Americano and find that it works just as well (if not better) for this recipe.

If you’re going to use a light roast, you can check out my guide to making a blonde Americano, where I go in-depth about using a lighter roast for this type of coffee drink.
Tip: Check out my recommendations for the best coffee beans for espresso here!
How do you make good espresso at home?
There are a few ways to make espresso at home. You can use an espresso machine, a Moka pot, or an AeroPress.
- An espresso machine is the best way to make authentic espresso at home. However, they can be expensive.
- A Moka pot is a cheaper option, but it doesn’t produce quite as good of a result as an espresso machine.
- An AeroPress is the cheapest option, and it also produces a decent cup of espresso-like coffee. It can also produce a brewed cup of coffee, making it the most versatile coffee brewer of the three.
All three coffee brewers will make a great basis for this white Americano.

Are you still looking for a good espresso maker? Then check out the pros and cons of the Moka pot and AeroPress to see if they fit you!
What kind of milk is best used?
There are many types of milk available on the market, and it can be difficult to decide which one to use.
Each type of milk has its own unique flavor and texture, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.

Some of the most popular types of milk include whole milk, skim milk, almond milk, and soy milk.
I prefer using whole milk for this recipe, but you can choose the milk you like most.
I recommend using the kind of milk you have in your fridge already, as not a lot of milk is used in this recipe.
Can you also use steamed milk in a white Americano?
You can use steamed milk in a white Americano. In fact, most baristas prefer to steam the milk for an Americano instead of using cold milk because it gives the coffee a richer flavor.
If you’re ordering a white Americano at your favorite coffee bar, you can ask for a white Americano with cold milk, steamed milk, or foamed milk only.
It’s even easier when at home because you can play around with the amounts to add and the preparation method of the milk.
Some other Americano coffees that are made in a similar way include the Americano Misto and Americano with milk.
These coffees use more milk than this white Americano, making them have a smoother flavor.
Now that you have all the information about this coffee, you can put it together by following the recipe below:
White Americano

There's nothing like the taste of a perfect white Americano. You can make this coffee in just five minutes!
Ingredients
- One espresso shot (1 oz or 30 ml)
- 2 oz (60 ml) of off-the-boil water
- 1 tbsp (15 grams) of whole milk
Instructions
- Start brewing your espresso shot with your favorite coffee beans and coffee brewer.
- In the meantime, boil your water.
- Pour the espresso coffee into a glass of choice.
- Slowly pour the off-the-boil water on top of the espresso coffee.
- Top with the milk. You can simply add the milk cold, steam it first or use only milk foam as a topping.
- Serve the coffee with a small spoon and enjoy!
Notes
You can easily make this into a bigger serving by doubling all ingredients!
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Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 9Total Fat: 0.5gSaturated Fat: 0.28gUnsaturated Fat: 0.12gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 6mgCarbohydrates: 0.7gSugar: 0.8gProtein: 0.5g
How many calories are in a white Americano?
A white Americano has nine calories per serving when using whole milk. You can lower the number of calories by using a different kind of milk like skimmed or non-fat milk.
As I’ve discussed above, use the kind of milk (or milk alternative) that you like the most so this drink turns out the way you like it!
Conclusion
So there you have it – a foolproof guide on how to make the perfect white Americano at home.
By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to avoid any coffee shop drama and save yourself some money in the process. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do!
The end result is a delicious cup of coffee that you can enjoy anytime.
Do you like making espresso-based drinks at home? Check out some more easy-to-make recipes below.