What kind of coffee drink should I order at Starbucks? Starbucks has become synonymous with quality coffee around the globe. The company was founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, and now operates over 28,000 stores worldwide. Starbucks offers a wide variety of beverages, from iced tea and hot chocolate to lattes, cappuccinos, and espresso drinks. If you want to get the perfect cup of coffee, you’ll need to choose the right type of drink. Here’s everything you need to know about your options for types of coffee drinks.
Types of Coffee Drinks
- Coffee Shop Latte – A “shop latte” is what Starbucks’ name for its signature milk-based beverage contains. It includes steamed milk (or foam) that is heavily laced with coffee beans — giving it a complex flavor that will satisfy even the most discriminating coffee drinkers. This makes it a good choice if you’re sensitive to caffeine or are watching your cholesterol.
- Espresso – An Americano is similar to espresso, but it contains less foamy milk because it is served black rather than brown. It’s also weaker than espresso because it uses water instead of heavy cream to make the drink. Espresso is made by forcing very hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. The process coarsens the coffee grounds, resulting in an intense, bitter brew. Espressos tend to be strong on caffeine but light on fat and sugar. They also have less acidity than other types of coffee drinks.
- Cappuccino – A cappuccino is similar to an espresso but uses foamy milk instead of regular milk. Its rich consistency comes from adding air to the milk before serving. As such, it tends to be heavier on both fat and sugar than other coffee drinks. Cappuccinos can contain up to three times as much milk as espresso.
- Mocha – A mocha is similar to a cappuccino but adds cocoa powder to the mix. Cocoa gives a stronger taste than milk does, so a mocha may be more satisfying than a cappuccino. However, it isn’t quite as sweet as a latte. A mocha combines espresso and hot cocoa powder into one delicious beverage. Just like a cappuccino, it adds air to the milk before service. But unlike a cappuccino which is usually served with whipped cream, a mocha is typically topped with marshmallow fluff.
- Frappe – Frappes are made with ice blended with a flavored syrup. Popular flavors include vanilla, caramel, strawberry, and raspberry. Frappes are often served in tall glasses.
- Hot Chocolate – Hot chocolates are made with either hot milk or hot water mixed with powdered cocoa. They are usually served without any additional ingredients. Hot chocolate is simply chocolate that has been heated up until it becomes liquid. Unlike coffee drinks, hot chocolates don’t contain any coffee beans. Instead, they use pure cacao as their main ingredient.
- Iced Coffee – Iced coffees are made with cold water and ground coffee beans. They are usually served with no added flavoring.
- Decaf Coffee – Decaffeinated coffee is made using a chemical process called decarboxylation. During this process, the chemicals that give coffee its characteristic aroma and bitterness are removed. This results in a milder, sweeter tasting beverage. Decaffeinated coffee is still caffeinated; however, it doesn’t contain enough caffeine to produce the desired effects. Therefore, people who want to avoid caffeine should stick to decaf beverages.
- Americano – The americano is a variation of the espresso. It differs from an espresso in that it uses only filtered water to prepare the drink. In addition, it is served with a small amount of steamed milk.
- Red Eye – This is a popular breakfast drink in the United States. It consists of espresso, milk, and a shot of whiskey.
- Latte Macchiato – This is a type of macchiato. It is prepared similarly to a latte, except that the foam is not whipped.
- Caffè Latte – This is a version of the latte. It is prepared similarly, but the foam is whipped.
- Espresso Martini – This cocktail was created at Harry’s Bar in Venice. It is composed of vodka, espresso, and amaretto.
- Flat White – This is a flat white. It is made by pouring milk over a single shot of espresso. The result is a light, frothy drink.
- Double Espresso – This is a double espresso. It contains two shots of espresso.
- Vietnamese Coffee – This is a Vietnamese-style coffee. It is made with condensed milk and brewed coffee.
- Coffee & Cream – This is a coffee and cream mixture. It is prepared by mixing equal parts of strong black coffee and heavy whipping cream.
- Cortado – This is a cortado. It is made by adding sugar to espresso.
- Irish Coffee – This is an Irish coffee. It is made by combining several different types of coffee including regular coffee, instant coffee, and espresso.
Frequently Asked Question
Arabica. Arabica is the most popular type of coffee, hands down. Depending on who you ask, many coffee enthusiasts prefer using Arabica beans due to their taste. Typically used for black coffee, Arabica beans have a sweeter, more complex flavor that you can drink straight. |
Coffee Arabica also known as 'mountain coffee' is a species of coffee that is believed to produce the finest coffee beans. The beans from this plant contain less caffeine than any other coffee plant. Coffee Arabica has aromatic tones that offer a smooth, pleasing taste. |
Regular coffee is black coffee with nothing added, while Americano consists of espresso and water. |