Navigating a coffee shop menu can sometimes feel overwhelming, and you end up ordering the first thing you can actually pronounce. We’ve all been there. Even the coffee pros once strictly ordered lattes until they ventured into the world of strong red eyes and smooth cold brew! Fear not, because our cheat sheet breaks it all down for you. From classic brews to trendy picks, we’ve got everything you need to order with confidence—and maybe a little flair. Let’s dive in!
Latte
This drink often gets stereotyped for being “basic” but we’d prefer to call it a classic!
- What it is: A creamy blend of espresso and steamed milk, topped with a light layer of foam.
- Milk/Foam Details: Smooth, steamed milk with minimal foam. Of the espresso drinks, this one will have the most milk. Latte milk foam is the perfect consistency for latte art, not too thin, not too thick.
- Who orders this: The latte-lover is someone who craves comfort and balance, with a preference for mellow coffee flavors. They probably linger over emails or a good book while sipping.
Macchiato
Some cafes’ macchiatos have different makeups. Some are inspired by the true macchiato which is an espresso base and then a marking of milk. Others are much closer to a latte, but let's look at what a traditional one is:
- What it is: Espresso "stained" with foamed milk.
- Milk/Foam Details: More foam, less milk than lattes.
- Who orders this: Bold and assertive, macchiato drinkers love the espresso experience but appreciate a touch of softness. Minimalism is key for these aficionados.
Red Eye
When someone says “I need something strong” we immediately recommend a Red Eye. Want some coffee in your coffee? Get a Red Eye!
- What it is: Drip coffee with a shot of espresso for a caffeine boost.
- Milk/Foam Details: Usually served black but can be customized.
- Who orders this: Go-getters who need fuel to power through early meetings or all-nighters. No frills, just caffeine.
*Note: Some cafes take it a step further. At Coffé Amor we also serve a Black Eye (2 espresso shots over top drip coffee). Black Hole is our strongest off-the-menu item with 3 whole espresso shots in your drip brew! Order at your own risk!
Flat White
Flat Whites are not only fun to order, but they provide a true coffee experience. Here’s why:
- What it is: An Australian classic featuring espresso and velvety steamed milk. Flat whites allow you to taste the smooth crema of a well pulled espresso shot, while balancing with perfectly frothed milk.
- Milk/Foam Details: Microfoam—a silky, integrated foam rather than bubbly froth.
- Who orders this: Flat white fans are coffee purists who like their drinks smooth and unfussy. They either are visiting from out of town, or know their barista by name.
Iced Coffee
“Iced Coffee” has become a blanket term for all cold coffee drinks, however, there are many differences in various iced coffee drinks! The most common mix up is iced coffee vs cold brew (very different!).
- What it is: Iced coffee is regularly brewed coffee cooled and poured over ice. We use coffee with deeper chocolatey and nutty notes for our iced coffee!
- Milk/Foam Details: Can be customized with milk or sweeteners.
- Who orders this: The iced coffee crowd is pragmatic, on the go, and doesn’t need fancy. It’s all about the basics and staying cool.
Cold Brew
Cold brew is all about the process. Cold brew is patient & kind! Kind on your stomach, that is. Less acidic, smooth and flavorful, cold brew is typically “brewed” for 18-24 hours!
- What it is: Coffee “steeped” slowly in cold water over 18-24 hours for a smooth, less acidic cold coffee. The longer it steeps, the stronger it is! Cold brew is often made with coffee that has bright fruity notes, giving you a lighter, smooth cool coffee!
- Milk/Foam Details: Typically served black, but pairs well with milk or cream if you prefer it.
- Who orders this: The trendy, chill crowd. These sippers love a bold coffee buzz with a smooth finish and appreciate the time and effort that go into a 20 hour brew!
Pour Over
Pour overs are a great way to get the full experience of flavor notes, and the bold and bright notes of a freshly roasted coffee. Pour overs allow the culture of a coffee's origin to shine through. Sipping on a single origin Ethiopian Sidamo? Those bright fruity notes are going to give you a glimpse of the birthplace of coffee!
- What it is: A precise brewing method using freshly ground beans and hot water poured in a steady stream. A manually brewed coffee!
- Milk/Foam Details: Typically served black to highlight nuanced flavors.
- Who orders this: Methodical, patient, and likely an experienced coffee drinker. They savor every note and aroma in their cup. Pour overs are a great way to dip your toe in the expansive world of coffee! Explore all kinds of origins and get the true flavors in pour overs!
Drip Coffee
“Drip coffee” is the coffee shop term for a classic black coffee. If you’ve ever made a pot of coffee at home, you’ve made drip coffee.
- What it is: Standard, machine-brewed coffee.
- Milk/Foam Details: Whatever you like—cream and sugar are popular add-ons.
- Who orders this: Classic, dependable, and no-nonsense. Think: old-school charm or someone who just wants caffeine without any extras.
Cappuccino
Cappuccinos are often misunderstood. You typically see “cappuccino” machines in gas stations. These are not cappuccinos. What makes a true cappuccino is the light airy milk foam. Have you ever seen milk foam come out of a gas station machine? We definitely haven’t!
- What it is: Espresso topped with equal parts steamed milk and foam.
- Milk/Foam Details: Foam-forward with a luxurious frothy texture.
- Who orders this: Lovers of texture and tradition. They appreciate the art of the foam but want it balanced with rich espresso.
*Note: A common term that is used with cappuccinos is “dry”. Have you ever been watching a movie and a character orders an “Extra dry capp”. That’s a cappuccino with lots and lots of foam. An extra dry cappuccino will feel like you’re holding an empty cup because of it’s lightweight makeup.
Americano
The perfect meeting point between simplicity and sophistication.
- What it is: Espresso diluted with hot water, giving it a similar strength to drip coffee but with a richer flavor.
- Milk/Foam Details: Typically none, but you can add some based on preference.
- Who orders this: Straightforward and adaptable. They like things classic but enjoy options.
Matcha
Some call it “grassy”, some call it “earthy”. We call it delicious! A great way to ease into the matcha world is with a punch of vanilla or white chocolate to sweeten it up. From there you can experiment with more or less flavors!
- What it is: A green tea powder whisked into hot water, combined with milk, served hot or iced.
- Milk/Foam Details: Often made with steamed or cold milk; foam optional.
- Who orders this: Health-conscious and a little trendy. These folks value antioxidants and aesthetics, and they’re not afraid to mix things up.
*Note: We LOVE a Pistachio White Chocolate matcha!
Doppio
Doppio translated from Italian to English is “double”.
- What it is: A double shot of espresso.
- Milk/Foam Details: None—pure espresso.
- Who orders this: Purists and caffeine junkies. They want the real deal with no distractions.
Mocha
A common misconception is that mocha is a “flavor” while it’s technically the name of the drink, with chocolate being the flavor. But every barista knows what you mean when you order a “latte with mocha”.
- What it is: A latte with chocolate, sometimes topped with whipped cream. Served hot, iced or frozen.
- Milk/Foam Details: Steamed milk and minimal foam.
- Who orders this: Sweet tooths and chocolate lovers! Mocha drinkers are fun and typically never stray from their usual chocolatey drink!
Dirty Chai
The best of both worlds! Spiced tea AND coffee?! Yes please!
- What it is: A chai latte with a shot of espresso, combining spiced tea and robust coffee flavors.
- Milk/Foam Details: Typically made with steamed milk and a light foam, similar to a latte.
- Who orders this: Adventurous and versatile drinkers who love a bit of cozy spice with their caffeine. Perfect for someone who can’t decide between tea and coffee and decides to have both!
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Here’s a little bonus list of coffee terms you may hear in a cafe & what they mean!
Coffee Terms:
- Black Coffee: Coffee straight up! No milk or cream here.
- Breve: this is just a fancy word for half and half (also called cream)
- On tap: this is the drip coffee that is brewed and ready!
- Steamer: Coffee shops often have a non-coffee option which is basically flavored steamed milk. These are often called “steamers”
- Bagged coffee: this is just the cafe’s coffee beans that they have for sale for you to take home
- Roastery: if a cafe is also a roastery, you’ve hit the jackpot. They roast their own beans meaning you’re about to get the freshest coffee of your life! *Wink wink*
- Bloom: The release of gas (CO2) from coffee grounds when hot water first hits them, an indicator of freshness during brewing.
- Single Origin Coffee: Coffee sourced from one specific farm, region, or country, offering unique flavors tied to its origin.
- Blend: two or more single origin coffees intentionally mixed together with balance and flavor in mind
- Portafilter: The handle on an espresso machine that holds the coffee grounds during brewing.