Coffee Lingo: What's Your Coffee Drink Order?

on August 3, 2009 at 7:00 AM

coffee lingo A double tall, sugar-free vanilla, skim, extra foam, caramel macchiato.

That's my coffee drink order. It's a moutful, but I've mastered it.

When I first moved to New York and was looking for a job, one of my many part-time gigs was working as a barista. I can't tell you how many times people asked me what different coffee drinks were...and it's no surprise, it's super confusing! So I thought I'd break it down for you:

Americano: An espresso drink made with one part espresso and three parts of hot water.

Cafe au Lait: Coffee mixed with equal parts steamed milk.

Caffe Latte: One part espresso, three parts steamed milk with foam on top.

Cappuccino: An espresso drink mixed with one part espresso, one part steamed milk, one part foam. The only difference between a cappuccino and a latte is that a cappuccino has much more foam.

Doppio: In Italian it means "two" so it's two shots of espresso

Espresso Con Panna: An espresso topped with whipped cream.

Frappuccino: Trademark of Starbucks, this is a blended drink that blends a mix of either creme or coffee-base with ice and flavorings.

Macchiato: Also known as espresso macchiato. Macchiato means "to top with", so it is steamed milk "topped with" a shot of espresso and foam. A doppio macchiato would be steamed milk with two shots. And caramel macchiato is a Starbucks drink that adds vanilla syrup into the steamed milk, topped off with espresso, foam, and a swirl of caramel sauce.

Mocha: Basically a latte, with chocolate syrup and sometimes whipped cream. Mmm!

Solo: One shot of espresso

Okay, now I'm ready for my double tall, sugar-free vanilla, skim, extra foam, caramel macchiato.

What's your coffee drink order?

Filed Under: drinks

Comments (10)

aurorabunny

on Aug 3, 2009 at 10:27 AM

Iced double shot, soy milk instead of regular, no syrup. Yum. :)

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josie_mommyof2

on Aug 3, 2009 at 12:50 PM

I have just never been able to get my taste buds to like coffee.

RanaAurora

on Aug 3, 2009 at 1:52 PM

I get a non-fat, no-whip white mocha usually, if I'm going for coffee. I like their peppermint white mocha around Yule as well.

When I make stuff at home, it's lattes, generally with either vanilla, caramel or white mocha syrups, or whatever combination I feel like at the moment. Same when I order somewhere other than Starbucks. ;)

momavanessa

on Aug 3, 2009 at 3:13 PM

I worked at starbucks for awhile and it is not that hard to pick it up. I only like teas there like a passion sweetened ice tea or a passion tea lemonade. Oh and hot chai teas too!

momoflilangel

on Aug 3, 2009 at 4:18 PM

At Starbuck's I get a carmel frappacino if I want to spend more but if I want to spend less I get an iced coffee w/ double cream & liquid sugar (classic syrup). At Dunkin Donuts I order a mocha iced coffee w/ cream and sugar.

Rose0304

on Aug 3, 2009 at 5:37 PM

Here is my fave Mocha double with whipcream so Yum!!

JPsMommy605

on Aug 3, 2009 at 7:24 PM

Double Tall White Chocolate Americano with Whip.....pause..."room for cream?" Reply: The Whip IS the room. :) But I order this so much at my coffee shop that I don't need to say anything - one barista sees me come in and has it ready for me by the time I'm ready to pay. Only the newbies go through the ritual order.