How to Order Coffee

Co-authored by Jaden Zhao

Last Updated: February 19, 2023 References

With so many options available at every coffee shop these days, choosing what to drink can seem a little intimidating. As long as you understand coffee vocabulary, however, you can order exactly what you want. Start by deciding if you want a milk-based or black coffee drink. Choose the strength of your drink as well as any flavorings or other extras you want. Finally, let the barista (coffee server) know if you want your drink hot or iced, as well as the size you would like. No more holding up the line: you’ll soon be ordering like a coffee boss.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

How to Order a Black Coffee Drink

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Go with brewed coffee for a classic choice. These days, even a “regular” coffee is going to be more exciting than yesterday’s cup of joe. Coffee shops will brew black coffee in several ways.^{[1]
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- Drip coffee is made by letting hot water flow through coarsely-ground coffee beans. It’s usually kept on tap in large urns at coffee shops. This is a standard choice, but may be less flavorful than other brew methods.
- Pour overs are made by carefully pouring hot water over coffee grounds suspended in a filter over a container. These are usually made by the cup, allowing the hot water to sit with the grounds for longer and extract more flavor.
- French press coffee is made by letting coffee grounds sit in hot water for several minutes in a press pot. The coffee is then poured out, leaving the grounds behind. This method produces a bold flavor.
2
Choose a roast type. Most coffee shops will have a variety of coffee types available for brewed coffee. Each has a particular flavor profile and caffeine content, which your barista will be happy to describe for you.^{[2]
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- Light roasts are very mild in flavor. They may be called “Light City” or “Half City” roasts.
- Medium roasts have a deeper color and often a nutty flavor, but are still moderate in their intensity. They are sometimes marketed as “American” or “Breakfast” roasts.
- Dark roasts are rich, bold, and sometimes bitter. They may be labeled as “European,” “Espresso,” “Italian,” or “French” roasts.
- Coffee shops may offer both single origin coffees (such as “Mexican” or “Sumatran”), for unique tastes, as well as blends for balanced flavors.
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3
Choose espresso for superior flavor. Espresso is made by forcing a small amount of hot water under high pressure through finely-ground coffee beans. The intensely flavorful drink is then served in a small cup called a demitasse. A slight amount of coffee-colored foam, called crema, appears at the top of properly-pulled espresso.^{[3]
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- Espresso is sold by the “shot”: you can order a single, double (doppio), triple, and so on.
- Some coffee shops serve a smaller, especially intense “ristretto” shot.
- Ounce for ounce, espresso usually has more caffeine than brewed methods. However, brewed coffee is served in larger amounts, meaning an overall greater amount of caffeine.
4
Select an americano for the best of both worlds. An americano is a blend of espresso and hot water. It is served in larger amounts, like brewed coffee, but has a richer flavor because it is made with espresso.^{[4]
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- Some locations will serve a variation called a “long black.” An americano is made by pouring hot water into espresso, while a long black is made by extracting the espresso directly into the hot water, preserving more of the crema.
5
Ask for a “red eye” if you need an extra jolt of caffeine. Many coffee shops will make a red eye by pouring a shot of espresso into a cup of brewed coffee. Not only does this give the coffee more flavor, it ups the caffeine content significantly.^{[5]
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6
Try cold brew for a super smooth taste. Cold brewed coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee and cool water for a very long time (at least 16 hours) at room temperature. The unique extraction process pulls out mild, sweet flavors from the beans and leaves behind other compounds that can sometimes make coffee more bitter or acidic.
- Cold brewed coffee is often poured over ice, but it can also easily be served hot--just ask your barista.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

How to Choose a Milk-Based Coffee Drink

1
Order a latte if you want a drink to sip. A latte is made by blending one or more shots of espresso with steamed (not boiled) milk. The boldness of the espresso and the creaminess of the milk complement each other, making a delicious drink with enough liquid to sip for a while.^{[6]
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- You may also be able to order a flat white, which is a variation of a latte developed in Australia and New Zealand. It uses less milk in a smaller cup.
2
Turn your latte into a mocha. While mochas are sometimes marketed as separate drinks, they’re really just a latte with chocolate syrup added. The combination of espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate can be irresistible.^{[7]
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3
Get a cappuccino to preserve more espresso flavor. A cappuccino is espresso blended with a small amount of steamed milk and topped with milk foam. It contains less liquid than a latte, but since the espresso is not as diluted, it can be more flavorful.^{[8]
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- Cappuccinos can be served “wet,” with more steamed milk (almost like a latte), or “dry,” with almost none.
4
Ask your barista how they prepare a macchiato. Traditionally, a macchiato is made by topping an espresso with a small amount of milk foam to cut its intensity. Some coffee shops still serve it this way. At Starbucks and similar cafes, however, a macchiato refers to a sweet drink that is basically a latte with added flavor (like caramel syrup).^{[9]
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Try an au lait for a classic treat. An au lait is made by blending brewed coffee and steamed milk, in roughly equal proportions. Because it is made with brewed coffee, it has a different flavor than a latte.^{[10]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

How to Complete Your Order

1
Let your barista know if you want your drink hot or iced. Many coffee drinks can be made either hot or iced. Your barista may already have chilled coffee on hand, for instance, but they can also pour an espresso into cold water and ice to make an iced americano. Iced lattes and other drinks can be made in similar ways.
- Certain drinks don’t do well in iced forms, however. Milk foam can really only be created by heating it, for instance, so iced cappuccinos don't really work.
- Likewise, some baristas discourage iced espressos, since the shock of the cold ice can kill the drink’s flavor.
- Don’t be afraid to ask your barista whether a drink can be made iced.
2
Decide if you want any extra sweeteners or flavors. Most coffee shops have a variety of syrups and other flavors available. These allow you to create everything from a vanilla latte to a mint mocha to a cinnamon spiced cappuccino. You can add flavorings to practically any drink. Baristas can also usually top your drink with whipped cream, cinnamon, chocolate powder, or other flavors.^{[11]
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- Many coffee shops feature specialized drinks made with various flavors, such as pumpkin spice lattes, or chili spiced cappuccinos.
- Sugar will also be available if you want to sweeten your coffee further.
3
Add extra shots, if you like. Your barista will be happy to add an extra shot (or two, or three…) to your drink. This can make your drink richer and flavor and higher in caffeine (unless you use decaffeinated espresso). Just let your barista know that you want a “three-shot latte,” for instance.
4
Specify the size you want. Coffee shops are not always consistent in the terms they use for small, medium, and large coffees. A “small” at one shop may be a “tall” at another, and a “single” at yet another. Just ask your barista to explain your shop’s lingo if you’re not sure.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is there a best milk for espresso drinks?

Jaden Zhao
Barista
Jaden Zhao is a Barista and the Owner of Jiaren Cafe & Yoga Studio in Santa Clara, California. Her cafe specializes in matcha drinks, espresso, coffee, fruit drinks, and herbal drinks. Additionally, the cafe hosts classes and features a yoga studio and a community space. Jaden earned an MS from Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business and a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Jaden Zhao

Barista

Expert Answer

It really depends on your personal preference! Coffee shops often offer a variety of options like heavy cream, soy milk, coconut, milk, and even non-dairy options.
Question

Can you tell me good coffee-cup etiquette?

Community Answer

Unlike tea, you do not necessarily need a saucer. Actually you should not hold the saucer with the cup. Take small sips while gazing down the cup, and do not point your pinky out - that is so wrong!
Question

Would people just roll their eyes if I wrote down on paper what I wanted?

Community Answer

Possibly. Really depends on the situation and the people. Some might be annoyed, some might just be puzzled, some might assume you're mute/deaf. If it's a super-complicated order, it could be appreciated by some.