# Iced Americano Source: https://dailyextraction.com/drinks/iced-americano/ Last updated: 2026-10-21 > An iced Americano is espresso with cold water, poured over ice: the cold version of a caffè Americano. A typical home recipe is a double espresso (about 2 oz) with 4–6 oz of cold water in a glass full of ice. In South Korea it's so popular it outsells hot Americanos at Starbucks even in January. ## At a glance - Chapter: Iced and blended - Served: Iced - Brewing method: https://dailyextraction.com/methods/espresso/ - Glass: Tall glass, 12–16 oz (400 ml) - Also known as: ice Americano, Ah-Ah ## Ingredients - 2 shots (about 2 oz) espresso - 4–6 oz (about 120–180 ml) cold, filtered water - a glass full ice ## Steps 1. **Fill a glass with ice**: Fill a tall glass to the top with fresh ice cubes. 2. **Add the cold water**: Pour in 4–6 oz of cold, filtered water. 3. **Pour the espresso over**: Brew two shots of espresso and pour them gently over the water and ice, which keeps some crema on top. 4. **Serve**: Stir if you like, and drink it cold. An **iced Americano** is the cold version of a [caffè Americano](https://dailyextraction.com/drinks/americano/): [espresso](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/espresso/) with **cold water**, poured over **ice**. It's black, strong and clean, with no milk to soften it, which is exactly why its fans love it. Nowhere loves it more than **South Korea**, where it has a proverb of its own and outsells hot coffee even in the depths of winter. Here's how to make one and what the ratio should be. ## The short version - **Espresso, cold water and ice.** Nothing else. - **About 1 part espresso to 2 or 3 parts water** in Gevi's recipe. - **Water and ice first, espresso last**, to keep a little crema on top. - **Stronger and sharper** than iced drip coffee. - **South Korea's unofficial national drink**, AFP reports. ## What's the ratio for an iced Americano? The sources don't agree: | Recipe | Espresso | Water | Source | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Home recipe, 12–16 oz glass | 2 shots, about 2 oz | 4–6 oz cold, filtered water, plus ice | Gevi | | "Traditionally" | 3 parts | 1 part | Nespresso | Gevi's version, about 1:2 to 1:3 espresso to water, is close to how [CoffeeGeek makes a hot Americano](https://dailyextraction.com/drinks/americano/). Nespresso's 3:1 would make a far stronger drink. ## How do you make one? Gevi's method: 1. **Fill a tall glass** to the top with fresh ice. 2. **Add the cold water**, 4–6 oz. 3. **Pour two shots of espresso** gently over the water and ice. Pouring it last, Gevi says, keeps the crema and gives a layered look. 4. **Drink it cold.** Gevi adds that a [moka pot](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/moka-pot/) or [AeroPress](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/aeropress/) can make concentrated coffee for it, though an espresso machine gives the most café-like result. ## Why is it so popular in South Korea? Because it's quick. In 2023, AFP reported that the iced Americano had become South Korea's unofficial national drink, nicknamed **"Ah-Ah"**, and that its devotees had coined a new saying: **"Even if I freeze to death, iced Americano!"**, shortened to *eoljukah*. Office workers told AFP they drink it even at minus 17°C because it's tastier and a faster caffeine hit, suited to Korea's *ppalli-ppalli*, "hurry-hurry", work culture. The Korea Herald gives the numbers from **Starbucks Korea**: | Period | Share of drinks sold iced | | --- | --- | | 2022 | 74% | | 2023 (to 23 November) | 77% | | January, the coldest month | Over 57% | | February | 64% | | June to August | 87–89% | The Korea Times' AFP report measures something slightly different: during January's cold snap, Starbucks sold more iced Americanos than hot ones, **54%** of the total. One office worker told the Korea Herald she drinks it because she wants to "gulp down an iced Americano like water", something you can't do with a hot drink. ## Iced Americano vs other iced coffees - **[Americano](https://dailyextraction.com/drinks/americano/):** the hot original, espresso with hot water. - **[Iced latte](https://dailyextraction.com/drinks/iced-latte/):** espresso with cold milk instead of water. - **[Freddo espresso](https://dailyextraction.com/drinks/freddo-espresso/):** espresso shaken with ice into a foam. - **[Long black](https://dailyextraction.com/drinks/long-black/):** the small, strong, hot version, espresso on water. Explore every drink in the [iced and blended chapter](https://dailyextraction.com/drinks/iced-coffees/). ## Words used in this guide - [Crema](https://dailyextraction.com/glossary/crema/): Crema is the golden-brown foam on top of an espresso. ## FAQs ### What is the ratio for an iced Americano? It depends who you ask. Gevi's recipe uses 2 oz of espresso to 4–6 oz of cold water, about 1:2 to 1:3. Nespresso describes the iced Americano as "traditionally brewed in a three to one ratio of espresso to water", which would make it much stronger. ### What is the difference between an iced Americano and iced coffee? An iced Americano is espresso diluted with cold water and ice; iced black coffee is drip coffee brewed and then cooled, which Nespresso describes as smoother and lighter. ### Why do Koreans drink iced Americano in winter? Speed, partly. The Korea Herald says iced Americanos suit a workplace culture that values speed and efficiency, because they can be gulped down at once. Office workers told AFP they prefer the taste and want a fast caffeine hit. ### What does eoljukah mean? It's a Korean portmanteau of "Even if I freeze to death, iced Americano!", for people devoted to iced Americanos whatever the weather, the Korea Herald explains. The drink itself is nicknamed "Ah-Ah", the Korea Times says. ### Should the espresso or the water go in first? Gevi pours the espresso over the water and ice to keep the crema and get a layered look. The same idea, water first, is what CoffeeGeek recommends for a hot Americano. ## Sources - [Coffee so cold it’s hot: Korea’s love of iced Americano](https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/trends/20230211/coffee-so-cold-its-hot-koreas-love-of-iced-americano) - [Koreans will ‘freeze to death’ for iced Americanos even in winter](https://www.koreaherald.com/article/3268846) - [The ultimate guide to making the perfect iced Americano coffee at home](https://gevi.com/blogs/recipes/how-to-make-iced-americano-coffee) - [Iced Americano](https://www.nespresso.com/sa/en/recipes/iced-americano)