We have all been there; standing in line at Starbucks, looking at the menu, sweating profusely and having an internal conflict. Finding what you want is one thing, but being confident in how to say it correctly is another problem.
It’s’ a whole other language. I believe that you should be able to put this on your resume to appeal to companies. If you can speak Starbucks, then you can fetch them coffee. If you can speak Starbucks, it is one less thing to worry about.
If you don’t know how to speak it, here is a little run down of the things you need to know in order to not hold up the line.
Sizes: they do not use small, medium, large, etc. If you speak Starbucks, you will say tall, grande or venti. Here is the rundown:
For the hot cups:
Short 8 oz cup = extra small
Tall 12 oz cup = small
Grande 16 oz cup = medium
Venti 20 oz cup = large
For the cold cups:
Tall 12 oz cup = small
Grande 16 oz cup = medium
Venti 24 oz cup = large
Trenta 30 oz cup = extra large
Coffee
I am not going to lie, coming to college I was nervous because I didn’t like coffee. But everyone looked so cute and professional while holding the coffee cup. But let me tell you, as soon as you have to study for your first test, you will need coffee like you need air.
I still can’t do black coffee, but if you need a pick me up, you will learn this terminology fast.
Cafè Latte:
20% Espresso, 60% Steamed Milk, 20% Milk Foam at the top
- Vanilla Latte = vanilla flavoring
- Pumpkin Spice Latte = Pumpkin Spice flavoring
*Can be iced or hot
Mocha = Chocolate flavored
- White Chocolate Mocha
*Can be iced or hot
Macchiato:
-50% Espresso, 50% Foamed Milk
- Carmel Macchiato = added vanilla syrup and caramel sauce on top
*Can be iced or hot
Cappuccino:
Foamy Milk and espresso
Americano:
Hot Water, 1 shot of Espresso
Teas/Refreshers
Chai Tea Latte:
Starbucks Chai Concentrate, Hot Water, Steamed Milk
*One of my favorites
- Dirty Chai = Chai Tea Latte with an added shot of espresso
Chai Tea = tea without the milk
English Breakfast Tea
Green Tea
Earl Grey Tea
Strawberry Acai:
Strawberry (acai) Flavors, Green Tea
Frappuccinos and Other
Frappuccino = line of iced, blended coffee drinks.
- coffee or crème base, blended with ice and other various ingredients, topped with whipped cream and sauces
Hot Chocolate
Tips and Tricks
Skinny = nonfat milk and sugar-free syrups
Blonde = a different kind of espresso bean, it is a bit sweeter than regular espresso
Latte = added milk
How to order:
- Size (Tall, Grande or Venti)
- Ice or Hot
- Drink
- Special notes (with nonfat milk, skinny, hold the whipped cream, etc…)
Example: I would like a grande iced caramel macchiato with nonfat milk.
Whitney’s Favorites:
- -Chai Tea Latte with nonfat milk
- -Iced Vanilla Latte with nonfat milk (sometimes blonde)
- -Iced Caramel Macchiato with nonfat milk
- -Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte with nonfat milk
- Pink Drink = Acai Refresher with Coconut milk
It’s intimidating for sure, but once you know what you are doing, you can fully enjoy the comfort a Starbucks drink gives you. I give credit to Starbucks for my papers, my exams and my sanity.
No more panic attacks in line, no more anxiety once you are about to open your mouth and no more second guessing if you actually ordered what you think you did. Consider this blog a duolingo lesson, you can know speak Starbucks a little better.
Before you know it, you will be fluent and customizing your drinks but we will cross that road when we get there.
