americano

“No, the coffee. Do you want a cup of Americano?” I groaned. Welcome to Europe. “Can't I just get a cup of regular coffee? A little cream, a little sugar?” […] “An Americano is a shot of espresso with hot water added.” “I don't know why they call it Americano. No one in America drinks espresso and hot water.”

The waiters wore striped waistcoats and green baize aprons. Bond ordered an Americano and examined the sprinkling of overdressed customers, mostly from Paris he guessed, who sat talking with focus and vivacity, creating that theatrically clubbable atmosphere of l'heure de l'aperitif.