Grounds of Coffee at Starbucks
Starbucks has created the ultimate coffee experience: they offer a wide selection of coffees, blends and espresso drinks that are all made with the best quality roasted beans. For those who don’t know exactly what to order, the experience can be daunting. To simplify the ordering process, from dark roasts to flavored syrups, a few basic tips can help make ordering coffee from Starbucks easier.
Choose Your Roast
Most Starbucks coffee shops have a range of roast options available, from light to dark. If you’re unsure of your personal taste preference, ask the barista for a sample of each roast. A good starting point for light roasts is a Veranda or Breakaway, which are mild and easy to drink for people who are new to coffee. If you’re looking for a bit more flavor, opt for a Pike Place or House Blend. To try something a bit more daring, as with all things, it’s best to start with a medium roast like Caffe Verona or Colombia. Lastly, if you are wanting more of an intense flavor, a dark roast such as French and Espresso Roast is always recommended.
Flavorful Not Bitter
For those who want to add more flavor to their coffee, Starbucks has over a dozen flavors and added syrups. Whether you choose to add a flavored syrup or just a few drops of cream, always ask for a sample before you decide on your order. There are also different ways to add sweetness depending on your preference. The café offers honey, cane sugar, and artificial sweeteners, like Splenda, for those who want a low-calorie options.
Determining Drink Size
Starbucks does offer drinks in different sizes: Tall, Grande or Venti. The Starbucks website has information about the drink sizes and cautions customers to be aware of the caffeine content when ordering. Generally, the Tall is the smallest size, the Grande is medium size and the Venti is the largest. For example, the Tall size holds 12 ounces, while the Grande size holds 16 ounces, and the Venti size will contain 20 ounces. While ordering, make sure to specify the size of your drink.
Latte Alternatives
If you want to stray away from a traditional latte, there are many other options. From Matchas to Cappuccinos and more, there are more unique drinks available that round out the full experience. For instance, the Flat White has a stronger espresso-to-milk ratio than a latte, making it a favorite for those who want a more powerful coffee. Espresso Shakerattos are also a great option for those not wanting to drink hot coffee, as these are served over ice.
Favorite Fill-ups
Another perk that many people have only recently discovered is that Starbucks will fill up your empty, reusable cups and tumblers with all your favorite drinks. Just bring your empty container on your next order and the barista will fill it up for you.
Espresso-Based Drinks
Espresso-based drinks such as Mochaccino, Macchiato and Caramel Macchiato are also available. These drinks are more intense, since they are made with more servings of espresso shots than the lattes. Additionally, they can be made with various syrups if desired. Those who are looking for more of a coffee kick should look into these drinks, since they combine two shots of espresso mixed with steamed milk.
Brewed Drinks
Brewed drinks like the Coffee of the Day, Caffe Americano and Chai Lattes are also available for customers who are looking for something simpler. These drinks are brewed from beans or pre-ground coffee, and are usually less expensive than the espresso-based drinks because they don’t contain any espresso shots and are faster to make. The Coffee of the Day comes in three sizes and is a unique blend of coffee, while the Caffe Americano and Chai Lattes are made with espresso and steamed milk, respectively.
Tea-Based Drinks
Tea-based drinks, such as Green Tea Latte, Earl Grey Latte and Chai Tea Latte, are also available at Starbucks. Usually, these beverages are made with steamed and frothed milk combined with a special syrup. Depending on the syrup used, these drinks may have added sweetness, making them perfect for those looking for something a bit more flavorful.
Frappuccinos
Frappuccinos are one of Starbucks most popular beverages and come in a variety of flavors. They are blended with ice, syrup, and milk and are available in both regular and light versions. Some of the popular flavors include the Mocha Frappuccino, Caramel Frappuccino and Coffee Frappuccino. For those who want fewer calories, the light Frappuccino is an excellent option, and it even comes in unique flavors such as Toasted White Chocolate and Ultra Caramel.
Cold Brew and Nitro
Cold Brew is a popular beverage that is brewed with cold water over a long period of time resulting in a sweeter, low-acidic flavor. Starbucks also offers Nitro Cold Brew, which has been infused with nitrogen gas to give it a velvety texture. This drink comes in three sizes and can be served with either cream or flavored syrups.
Nitro Blended Cascara
Starbucks also offers the Nitro Blended Cascara, which is a delicious blend of nitrogen-infused cascara and ice that is topped with cold cream or syrup for added sweetness. This is the perfect beverage for those looking for something cold yet flavor-packed.
Cold Foam Beverages
The Cold Foam beverages are another popular item from Starbucks. These are made with a creamy foam which is light and airy and made with ingredients like non-fat milk and sugar. The Cold Foam Beverages come in various flavors such as vanilla, mocha and caramel.
