A “café allongé” is a popular French coffee drink similar to an Americano. It involves a longer extraction process, resulting in a shot that’s at least double the volume of a traditional espresso.
This method creates a milder flavor and a larger coffee, similar to a “Café Lungo” in Portugal or a “Caffè Longo” in Italy, making it ideal for those who prefer a less intense espresso experience.
Choosing a Café Allongé allows you to enjoy the rich taste of espresso in a more diluted and accessible form. It’s a versatile choice that fits well into any coffee routine.
To order it, you would say, “Je voudrais un café allongé, s’il vous plaît.”
Ingredients
1 Long Extracted Espresso Shot
History and Origin
The cafe allonge – literally “elongated coffee” in French – is France’s answer to the question “what if espresso were less intense?” It’s made by adding hot water to an espresso shot, creating a longer, milder drink. While conceptually similar to an Americano, the allonge has its own French identity and is deeply rooted in cafe culture.
The drink became popular in French cafes during the mid-20th century as espresso machines spread through Paris and beyond. For many French people, the allonge strikes the perfect balance between the intensity of a straight cafe and the mildness of filter coffee.
How It’s Made
A cafe allonge starts with a standard espresso shot, then hot water is added to double or triple the volume:
- Pull a standard espresso shot (25-30ml)
- Add 60-90ml of hot water
- Total volume: roughly 90-120ml
- Served in a larger cup than a regular cafe
Some purists argue that a true allonge should be made by running more water through the coffee grounds (like a lungo) rather than adding water after. In practice, most French cafes simply add hot water to an espresso.
How to Order Cafe Allonge
Say: “Un cafe allonge, s’il vous plait” (uhn ka-FAY ah-lon-ZHAY, seel voo PLEH). Every cafe in France will know this order. It’s one of the most common modifications to a standard coffee.
See our complete guide to ordering coffee in France for more tips.
When and Where Locals Drink It
The allonge is popular with French drinkers who want to linger over their coffee rather than down it in one go. You’ll often see it ordered at breakfast alongside a croissant, or in the afternoon when someone wants to sit and read at a cafe terrace. It’s the “I’m staying for a while” coffee.
Allonge vs Americano
These drinks are nearly identical in concept, but the French allonge tends to be slightly smaller and stronger than an American-style Americano. The cultural context matters too – an allonge is sipped slowly at a Parisian cafe, while an Americano is more associated with grab-and-go coffee culture.
How to Make Allonge at Home
- Pull a standard espresso shot (or brew strong coffee with a Moka pot)
- Heat water to about 80-85 C (not boiling)
- Add 60-90ml of hot water to the espresso
- Adjust the ratio to your taste – more water for milder, less for stronger
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an allonge the same as an Americano?
Very similar. Both are espresso diluted with hot water. The French allonge tends to be slightly smaller and the water ratio varies more by cafe.
Does an allonge have the same caffeine as espresso?
Yes – the caffeine content is the same since you’re starting with the same espresso shot. You’re just diluting the flavor, not the caffeine.
Is an allonge weaker than a regular cafe?
In flavor intensity, yes – it’s milder and less concentrated. But the caffeine content is identical since it starts from the same espresso base.
