Coffee Shop Drink Tips + Former Barista Q&A

Coffee House Drinks Dissected

Hello all, I thought it would be of value to provide you with a list of coffee shop beverages and their differences that I learned when I was a barista. If you have any questions, ask below.

Coffee based drinks

Coffee: Doesn't really need an explanation, but light roast coffee typically has more caffeine than dark roast coffee. Can be had iced.
Café au lait: Just coffee with steamed milk (usually whole milk unless specified). Flavors can be added, just beware of the increase in calories (usually nonfat milk used).
Red Eye: Coffee with espresso shots, good for late nights.

Espresso based drinks

Espresso: Espresso shots. Usually had in a single or a double shot, but more shots can be added. Very concentrated caffeine amounts. The shots tend to taste more and more sour after thirty seconds, so drink as soon as possible. Serving size is small.
Americano: Espresso equivalent of coffee. Americanos are just shots and hot water. They are also typically stronger than coffee. A small Americano usually has two shots; a medium usually has three shots, etc. Can be flavored and iced.
Macchiato: Not Starbuck's macchiato (which is actually a latte). Single or double shot of espresso (more can be specified) with a bit of foam and milk. Serving size is small.
Cappuccino: Usually had with one or two shots of espresso (more can be specified). A cappuccino typically comes with four to five ounces of milk and about 6 ounces of foam. Usually served in a small cup and can be flavored. Can be had iced, which is just an iced latte with steamed foam.
Latte: Shots with milk. If unflavored, whole milk is usually used. If the latte is flavored, usually nonfat milk is used. Usually has about half an inch of foam. Iced, flavored lattes usually have fewer calories due to less flavoring being used.
Flavored Iced Coffee: Usually made with espresso, flavor, and water over ice.
Iced Blended, Frappuccino, etc: Tastes like ice cream, but has a massive amount of calories. Even the no sugar added options still have more than four hundred calories for a small.

Tea based drinks

Black Tea: Has a decent amount of caffeine, let steep for about five minutes.
Green Tea: Has little caffeine, usually does not have room for milk and sugar. Let steep for three minutes
Herbal Tea: No caffeine. Usually does not have room for milk and sugar, Let steep for seven minutes.
Tea Latte: Caffeine levels depend on the tea. Hot tea lattes usually have milk, whereas iced tea lattes do not have milk. All versions of tea lattes are sweet and pack quite a few calories.
Matcha Latte: Matcha powder with milk. Rather sweet and has quite a few calories.

Tricks, Tips, and Miscellaneous

Save money (Only works in California): If the cashier asks you if your order is "for here or to go?," say that the drink is to go. That way the store won't charge you tax on your drink.
Clarity: Say the size of the drink before the drink and its details. That way the cashier will most likely mess up less.
Cubano shots: The sugar is mixed with the espresso grinds when pulled.
Save weight (and money): ** Avoid the overpriced pastries.
**Watch your drink be made (if possible):
Some baristas cut corners, which can ruin the beverage. For example, some baristas use expired espresso shots (which taste sour) when finishing up drinks or they restream milk.

I think that pretty much covers it.

 
C.R.E. Shervin:
Colombia. And it's the arabica bean that is found in most 85% of the worlds coffee, also called "light roast".

One time on vacation in Costa Rica i purchased 25 lbs of coffee all different types and stuffed it in my carry on.

 

"Light roast" just means it wasn't roasted for as long. I roast coffee at home sometimes. Also, the lighter the roast, the more caffeine as the roasting process removes caffeine.

heister: Look at all these wannabe richies hating on an expensive salad. https://arthuxtable.com/
 
Best Response
Kamchowder:
If the cashier asks you if your order is "for here or to go?," say that the drink is to go. That way the store won't charge you tax on your drink.

...and in what fantasy-land do you live, where taxes are optional?

"Son, life is hard. But it's harder if you're stupid." - my dad
 

If you say for here, coffee shops are treated like restaurants, so there is a restaurant/sales tax. The lack of taxes if you say to go through me off too. By the way, this might vary state to state.

 

There really is no need to tip if the order is short and simple. Cash is preferred because it typically doesn't get taxed, although it probably varies between states ans stores. Also, if the cashier makes your drink and sees that you put in a tip, they will tend to make your drink better. Loyalty card tips are more convenient, but the cashier typically won't know if you tipped them or not, so you drink wont get any special treatment. If you want special treatment just build a rapport with the baristas and cashiers. Again, tips aren't really necessary.

 

The coffee shop I used to work at was in a touristy part of town so tons of foreigners came in. Once there was a French couple who ordered in French, and, although, I cannot speak French, I successfully deciphered what drinks they want. After I completed their order by using their gift card on their app, the wife came up to me and angrily said in perfect English, "I told you so clearly that I wanted to pay in cash!" Me: "Ma'am, I don't speak french." Needless to say, she was livid.

The most complex drink I made was an ice blended drink with half mocha, half vanilla, caramel, cherries, espresso beans, cookie crumbles, extra ice, whipped cream on the top and bottom of the cup, and an affogato shot on top. Thankfully I made that drink correctly

 

It is a nice drink. It has about 1-2 inches of microfoam, with about two shots of espresso. Typically served in a small cup. Almost half cappuccino and half latte. More coffee flavored than a latte, less foam than a cappuccino. Also, fewer calories than a latte.

 

Once I stopped in a hipster coffee shop and asked for an espresso to-go. The barista suggested I drink it there because a paper to-go cup would alter the flavor and worsen the whole coffee experience. I googled it and found this

Something to consider as the trade-off for that to-go savings mentioned above.

 

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in it 2 win it
 

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