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.