As a Starbucks barista, I encounter all types of customers. There are those that come in every day and know how many ounces each size contains, and those that come in and when I ask if they want "drip coffee" they say, "No, just normal black coffee" (my boyfriend belongs to the latter camp). As someone who thought of themselves as a Starbucks aficionado before I got a job there, I now realize how much I did not know! Here are the absolute basics to help you sound more knowledgeable at any Starbucks.
Size
Size is the first thing that you should say when you begin your order. After all, nothing can happen with your drink until we know how much you want of it! Hot and cold drinks have different sizes. Here's a helpful guide:
Hot Cold
Short - 8 oz Tall - 12 oz
Tall - 12 oz Grande - 16 oz
Grande - 16 oz Venti - 26 oz
Venti - 20 oz Trenta - 30 oz (only Iced Teas, Refreshers, and Ice coffee can be this size)
Drink
Now that you know the size you want, you've got to say what you want! There is a large temptation to now say all of the special things that you want, but do not get ahead of yourself.
Modifiers
Now is the time you can get all fancy if you want to! Some common modifiers are :
- Milk - The default is 2%
- Syrup - Do you want to add another flavor? More or less of what already comes in it (default for a grande is 4 pumps)? Here's the place!
- Temperature - Do you like it extra hot (170%)? Kids temp (135%)?
- Ice - Light ice will allow more of what you want in your cup! Downside is it won't be as cold for as long as it could be. Depends on which you want more.
- Iced coffee and iced tea always come sweetened. You can either nix the sweetener, or substitute another sweeter (not a sauce, though, like mocha or white mocha).
- A venti hot drink comes with two shots of espresso, but a venti cold comes with three (hence the price difference).
- Even when you get a mocha/white mocha iced, the default is to come with whipped cream. Some like it, some do not, just up to you!
