Simple Espresso Drinks

Below are the basic espresso/tea/coffee drink names and terms and explanations of what they mean! This should help you better understand what they are serving at the coffee shop you visit! Not all terms are used at each coffee shop so check with the barista first if they serve it!

Shots of Straight Espresso:

Single/Solo - 1 shot
Double/Doppio - 2 shots
Triple - 3 Shots
Quad - 4 Shots (and usually not for a Coffee Beginner!)

99% of Espresso is served in short shots (just under an ounce)! If you order an Americano you will be served long shots. Long shots are approximately just under one and a half ounces. They have more in them because more water is added when the shot is being poured it doesn't mean more caffeine!

Espresso Macchiato:
Espresso shots dropped into a tiny cup of milk foam, and only foam. It's Like a very small, extremely dry cappuccino. These are ordered not by cup size, but by the number of shots you want.

Espresso Con Panna:
Espresso shots in a tiny cup with a big squirt of whipped cream. Ordered by the number of shots, rather than cup size.

Americano:
Espresso diluted with hot water until it's roughly the strength of regular coffee. An Americano will usually have one more shot than a latte of the same size. Sometimes if the regular coffee you ordered hasn't finished brewing and you don't want to wait for it, the barista may offer you an Americano instead.

Coffee:
Plain black brewed drip coffee, If you want the barista to leave room for you to add milk or half and half, let him know.

Coffee can be brewed in the following types:

Mild or Medium Roast - Highest Caffeine Level but usually a lighter taste
Dark Roast - Usually a lower caffeine level then the medium but has a very bold taste
Decaf - This is low or ca fine free version of coffee. Many store may only brew this by request or at certain times during the day

Coffee Misto/Cafe au Lait:
A drink consisting of half a cup of coffee and half steamed milk with a bit of foam. It can be made decaf, nonfat, soy etc. "Misto" is the Starbucks name, cafe au lait is a more generic term used at specialty beaneries.

Americano Misto:
This is similar in idea to the Americano. In the Americano Misto you are making an Americano but making half the cup with the espresso shots and hot water and the other half with steamed milk and a small topping of foam.

Latte:
Espresso Shots, steamed milk, and a small amount of foam, not sweetened in any way unless you ask for flavoured syrup in it. Most common flavours are Vanilla, Caramel or Hazelnut.

Cappuccino:
Like a latte, only much more foam; normally half milk and half foam, unless "wet" or "dry" is specified (see below). This is also not sweetened, and an "iced cappuccino" doesn't really exist at Starbucks. Since iced drinks are made without foam, an iced cappuccino is the same as an iced latte. If you wish to order an Iced Cappuccino like the Ones at Tim Horton's you would ask for a Starbucks Frappucino!

(Wet vs. Dry Cappuccinos) - Wet simply means more milk! If you ask for a Cappuccino but they always put too much foam for your liking ask for it wet and you will get less foam on your cappuccino then regular. Dry simply means more foam! If they don't put enough foam on your cappuccino ask for it dry and they will put less milk and more foam on it!

Caramel Macchiato:
Basically, a vanilla latte with a bit less vanilla and extra foam, and with gooey, yummy caramel sauce drizzled on top. If it doesn't taste sweet enough when you first try it, mix it up a bit. If it's still not sweet enough, ask for more vanilla -- caramel sauce doesn't really dissolve well, so by the time it strongly flavors the drink there's way too much. Iced caramel macchiatos, like hot ones, have the shots and caramel poured on top, so when you get it it won't look mixed at all. Just make sure you stir it before you drink. Macchiato, by the way, is pronounced "mah-kee-YAH-toe."

Mocha:
Espresso and steamed milk mixed with chocolate syrup and served with whipped cream on top. Despite being chocolaty, these are not terribly sweet; if you don't want to taste the espresso, ask for extra chocolate syrup or sugar to be added, or try a white chocolate mocha instead. Also, these are not blended. If you're looking for one of those milkshake-looking things, you want a mocha Frappuccino.

White Chocolate Mocha:
Espresso and steamed milk mixed with white chocolate syrup and served with whipped cream. These are a lot sweeter than regular mocha's, but also a bit less healthy.