Buzz
Starbucks, one of the most widespread and recognizable coffee chains globally, continues to baffle even the most experienced coffee enthusiasts with its unique customs and ordering intricacies.
Before convincing Mytour to compensate me for my tweets, I spent just over a year as a Starbucks barista, often waking at 2:45 a.m. to arrive at the store by 4 a.m. for the opening shift. During that brief, sleep-deprived period, it became evident that many customers could benefit from understanding the proper etiquette of ordering at Starbucks. Here’s my insider guide to help you navigate the process.
Use the Starbucks mobile app to place your order in advance
Straightforward advice: To avoid any judgment from the barista about your order, use the Starbucks app to ensure they never have the opportunity. Here are a few tips if you choose this method:
Ordering through the app is best suited for frequent Starbucks visitors
This is due to the app’s payment system, which operates through its rewards program. To use it, you must load funds onto the app via a gift card or credit card. If you’re a one-time visitor, you might end up with leftover balance you’ll never use. However, for regulars, it’s likely a worthwhile investment.
Always review your order details carefully before finalizing
Few things frustrate baristas more than preparing a drink exactly as requested, only to discard and remake it because the customer entered the wrong details.
Many beverages, such as iced teas, come pre-sweetened unless you request otherwise
To avoid sweetened iced tea, navigate to the “flavors” section and repeatedly tap the minus button until it displays “no liquid cane sugar.”
Your drink may not be placed with the standard orders
If your drink isn’t on the handoff plane—Starbucks’ term for what most people refer to as “the counter”—where baristas announce in-store orders, look for a designated mobile order pickup area. These are often situated near exits for quick access, allowing customers to grab their orders without navigating through crowds. If you can’t locate this area, simply ask a barista where to find your mobile order. This also ensures the barista notices you, reducing the chance of your drink being overlooked or misplaced.
Naturally, ordering in person is always an option. However, if you choose this route, here are some tips to enhance your experience—and a few common mistakes to steer clear of.
When placing your order face-to-face
Don’t hesitate to ask questions
If you’re unsure about the distinction between a latte and a cappuccino, just ask! (For the record, cappuccinos feature more foam and less steamed milk compared to lattes.) If you’re curious about seasonal offerings like the chestnut praline latte, feel free to ask the barista for a description. No one expects you to know everything, and resolving questions before ordering is far simpler than dealing with dissatisfaction after receiving your drink.
Understand the default amounts of espresso and sweetener for each drink size
Starbucks follows a standardized recipe for all beverages, with ingredient quantities adjusted based on the size you choose. Here’s a brief breakdown:
Short: One espresso shot; two syrup pumps. (This eight-ounce size is available for hot drinks only, though it’s rarely highlighted on the menu.)
Tall: One espresso shot; three syrup pumps.
Grande: Two espresso shots; four syrup pumps.
Venti (hot): Two espresso shots; five syrup pumps. (Note that the espresso amount matches a grande. For a stronger hot latte, consider sticking with a grande and requesting an extra shot. It’ll have less milk, sugar, and calories—and likely cost less.)
Venti (iced): Three espresso shots; six syrup pumps. (Iced venti drinks are slightly larger than hot ones—for reasons unknown—hence the extra shot and pump.)
Trenta: Seven syrup pumps. (Espresso drinks aren’t available in this size.)
One notable exception to the above: Americanos include an extra shot of espresso.
Don’t hesitate to personalize your order
While respecting service workers is important, Starbucks baristas are trained to handle customizations for nearly every drink. You shouldn’t feel guilty about modifying a drink to suit your preferences, whether it’s one change or several.
If your last iced coffee was too sweet, request fewer syrup pumps—or skip them entirely. You can also switch the default flavorless simple syrup for vanilla, caramel, or any other option. These adjustments are common, so don’t worry about being difficult. Sure, you might be a bit fussy, but so is everyone else, so customize freely.
This doesn’t apply to those who make overly specific requests, such as, “a caramel Frappuccino with extra caramel drizzle on the inside walls of the cup instead of on the whipped cream,” a surprisingly common and frustrating habit that occurs far too often.
State your order in the proper sequence whenever possible
As a general guideline, start by specifying the size of your drink and whether it’s hot or iced. If the cashier is writing the order on your cup, they can’t begin until they have the correct cup for your order. For example, if you say, “Vanilla latte with six pumps. Grande. Oh, and iced,” they might ask you to repeat it because they only knew which cup to grab at the very end. Instead, say, “Iced grande six-pump vanilla latte.”
Avoid using joke names
Don’t give your name as “Trump 2020,” “America,” or “Fart.” (Unless that’s genuinely your name—in which case, good luck.) It’s already challenging for baristas to maintain cheerfulness after hours of making drinks since early morning; it’s even worse when they have to force a smile and call out, “I have a venti iced coffee with nonfat milk for ... Tinkerbell.”
Avoid ordering from the secret menu
Secret menus, in reality, don’t exist. They consist of custom, often complicated orders created by customers that require significant effort from store employees. If you want to try a creative drink you found online, make sure you know its exact recipe—and be prepared to pay for any additional ingredients. Don’t approach a Starbucks barista during peak hours and request a Butterbeer, only to complain about the price after they’ve entered all the details. They won’t appreciate it.
Don’t casually add “skinny” to a drink name without understanding its meaning
At Starbucks, “skinny” has a precise definition: nonfat milk, sugar-free syrups, and no whipped cream. You can order a “skinny vanilla latte” or a “skinny mocha,” but if you ask for a “skinny pumpkin spice latte,” the barista will inform you that Starbucks doesn’t offer sugar-free pumpkin spice syrup. Instead, you should order a “nonfat pumpkin spice latte with no whipped cream.”
Don’t ask, “Is this mine?”
The barista who prepared your drink isn’t the same person who took your order. If you ask, “Is this mine?” they won’t have a clue. Just check the cup! Your order details—and likely your name—are printed right on it. That’s how the barista knew what to make!
Give the barista some breathing room
Maintain a respectful distance from the barista. Unless you need to address a mistake or a lost order, step back and give them space. Hovering not only makes the barista uneasy but also obstructs other customers from picking up their drinks.
Don’t attempt to joke about Starbucks’ unconventional size names
You’re far from the first person to make such comments today, and it’s never been amusing. It’s tired, overdone, and not entertaining.
