How To Order Coffee At Starbucks? (Order Like A Pro)

One of the reasons Starbucks is so popular is the sheer number and variety of coffees and other drinks it has. At the same time, this variety and Starbucks’ insistence on using unique terms for drink sizes makes it difficult to be sure what exactly it is that you’re ordering.

However, you can learn how to order coffee at Starbucks if you familiarize yourself with some of its basic terminology and menu items! I’ve gathered all the best information you need to order from Starbucks like a pro!

How To Order Coffee At Starbucks In 2024

When ordering at Starbucks, follow the order in which the barista will prepare the drink so the process can flow smoothly. Starting with temperature and drink size, you can next tell them what type of coffee you want and if it should be regular or decaf. Finally, you can customize your coffee with milk, syrup, and toppings.

So if you want to learn how to order coffee at Starbucks like a pro, carry on reading. You’ll find all you need to know here!

How Do You Order Coffee At Starbucks Like A Pro?

If you’re one of those people who love Starbucks coffee but are perpetually confused about what some of those terms mean, there’s still hope for you.

Once you learn some of Starbucks’ basic terms relating to drink size, types of coffee and roasts, and a few other things, you’ll be able to order coffee at Starbucks like a pro.

That said, one major advantage you’ll find is that you can finally get the exact drink you want and customize it as you wish.

Also, it will help the baristas if they don’t have to spend ten minutes explaining the drinks to you while others wait impatiently in line.

Further, all you have to do is place your order in the same sequencethe barista prepares your drink so that the whole process will flow smoothly.

Temperature

Starbucks uses different cups for hot and cold drinks. Therefore, once the barista knows if you want a hot or cold coffee and what size, they will know which cup to use for your drink.

Starbucks Drinks Sizes

As you probably know, Starbucks drinks sizes have funny names, which don’t correspond to drink sizes you’ll find anywhere else.

That said, using the Starbucks terminology will save a lot of time and explanations. With this in mind, here are all the drink sizes at Starbucks:

  • Tall (Small) 12 fl. oz.
  • Grande (Medium) 16 fl. oz.
  • Venti Hot (Large) 20 fl. oz.
  • Venti Cold (Large) 24 fl. oz.
  • Trenta (Extra Large) 24 fl. oz.

Once the barista knows what size drink you want, they can grab the right cup and get started preparing your drink.

If you’d like to add extra milk, cream, or ice, you can ask the barista for room; otherwise, they may give you a cup that’s full to the brim.

Regular Or Decaf

If you want a decaffeinated drink, you must specify that right at the beginning. Otherwise, the barista will just make your drink with regular coffee.

Type Of Coffee

Coffee and coffee-based drinks come in many different types, and you can find out all about them here. So, you will have to specify which one you want.

At Starbucks, you can choose any of these types of drinks:

  • Espresso
  • Americano
  • Latte
  • Cappuccino
  • Macchiato
  • Mocha

When ordering espresso-based drinks, you can ask for extra espresso shots for more flavor and more caffeine.

Make Mine A Skinny

Make Mine A Skinny Starbucks

As the name suggests, a skinny drink is the no-sugar, low-fat version of any drink.

If you ask for a skinny drink, the barista will use non-fat and sugar-free options and skip the whipped cream altogether.

Syrups

Now it’s time to customize your drink with syrups, which add both sweetness and flavor. Therefore, here are some of the flavored syrups you can find at Starbucks:

  • Vanilla
  • Caramel
  • Hazelnut
  • Chestnut praline
  • Raspberry
  • Peppermint
  • Mango
  • Peach
  • Cinnamon dolce

Also, there are seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Spice and Blueberry.

Additionally, you can specify how many pumps of syrup you would like to control the sweetness and intensity of flavor.

Customizing Espresso And Syrup

At this stage, you might find it helpful to know how many shots of espresso and pumps of syrup are used in the standard Starbucks recipes.

That said, you can check out this handy chart:

  • Tall: One shot of espresso; three pumps of syrup
  • Grande: Two shots of espresso; four pumps of syrup
  • Venti (hot): Two shots of espresso; five pumps of syrup
  • Venti (iced): Three shots of espresso; six pumps of syrup
  • Trenta: Seven pumps of syrup; Starbucks doesn’t serve espresso drinks in Trenta size

When customizing your drink, keep in mind that you’ll be adding espresso and syrup to these amounts already in the drinks.

Also, you can ask the barista to reduce the amount of syrup and espresso in your drink if you want less sugar or caffeine.

Milk

For dairy milk options, Starbucks currently offers the following choices:

  • Non-fat
  • 1% milk
  • Whole milk
  • Half and half
  • Heavy cream

On the other hand, for non-dairy plant-based milk options, you can choose one of these:

  • Oat milk
  • Coconut milk
  • Almond milk
  • Soy milk

Toppings

At Starbucks, the toppings are the final touch.

That said, you can ask for ice, drizzles of caramel or mocha, or extra foam, to name just a few toppings that are available at Starbucks.

How To Order Coffee At Starbucks Online

If you decide to order online, it can be easier to customize your drink because you can take your time choosing the various options without delaying anyone else.

With that, you can order online if you’re a Starbucks Rewards member, or you can use the Starbucks mobile app.

When you order online, you can pay ahead and just stop by at the cafe to pick up your drink. On top of that, you have the option to pick up your order at the drive-thru or curbside.

Finally, you can even set up Siri to place your Starbucks order for you!

To learn more, you can also see our posts on the most popular Starbucks drinks, how hot is Starbucks coffee, and if Starbucks will grind your coffee.

Conclusion

Once you become familiar with Starbucks terminology and menu options for customizing your drink, you’re ready to order coffee at Starbucks like a pro.

That said, it’s good to know how to order at Starbucks because the baristas will thank you, so your fellow customers don’t have to wait in line.

Additionally, you can be sure of getting the exact drink you wanted each time, made to your exact specifications.

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Marques Thomas

Marques Thomas graduated with a MBA in 2011. Since then, Marques has worked in the retail and consumer service industry as a manager, advisor, and marketer. Marques is also the head writer and founder of QuerySprout.com.

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