Decoding the Starbucks Language
Starbucks has developed a unique cultural lexicon that can be intimidating to new customers. Terms that dictate cup size, milk texture, and espresso preparation are critical to getting your order right.
How Terminology Affects Calories
While some terms are merely structural (like asking for a drink "Upside Down"), others drastically change the macro profile of your drink. For instance, asking for a Macchiato "Skinny" instructs the barista to drop the 2% milk for nonfat, and swap the classic syrup for sugar-free. If you want to see exactly how these changes impact your diet, plug them into our interactive calorie customizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Affogato' style mean at Starbucks?
Ordering a Frappuccino 'Affogato style' means the barista will pour a hot shot of espresso directly over the top of the blended beverage. This creates a marbled visual effect and adds a strong, bitter coffee contrast to the sweet drink.
What is a 'Flat White' vs a 'Latte'?
A Flat White is made with Ristretto (short) espresso shots and whole milk steamed into a velvety microfoam, giving it a stronger coffee flavor. A standard Latte uses regular espresso shots, 2% milk, and has a thicker, more aerated layer of foam on top.
What does it mean to order a drink 'Upside Down'?
Ordering 'upside down' simply reverses the order in which the ingredients are placed in the cup. For a Caramel Macchiato, this means the vanilla syrup and espresso go in the bottom first, followed by milk, completely blending the flavors instead of keeping them layered.
What does 'Skinny' mean?
A 'Skinny' drink means three things: Nonfat milk, Sugar-Free syrup (like Sugar-Free Vanilla), and absolutely no whipped cream. It is the easiest way to request a low-calorie version of a standard latte or mocha.
What is a 'Ristretto' shot?
A Ristretto shot is pulled with the same amount of coffee grounds but less water, resulting in a shorter, more concentrated, and sweeter shot of espresso. It lacks the bitter, ashy notes found at the end of a standard espresso pull.
What is a 'Long Shot'?
The opposite of a Ristretto. A Long Shot (Lungo) uses more water through the espresso grounds. It takes longer to pull, resulting in a larger volume of liquid that is more diluted but highly caffeinated and slightly more bitter.
What does 'Extra Dry' mean for a Cappuccino?
An 'Extra Dry' cappuccino consists of espresso and almost entirely stiff, aerated milk foam, with very little liquid milk at the bottom. Conversely, a 'Wet' cappuccino has more liquid milk and less foam.
What is the 'Frappuccino Roast'?
The Frappuccino Roast (Frap Roast) is a proprietary, room-temperature instant coffee syrup pumped into all coffee-based Frappuccinos. It provides the coffee flavor and caffeine, and it contains sugar.
What is a 'Medicine Ball'?
The 'Medicine Ball' is a customer-invented Secret Menu name. Starbucks officially added it to the menu as the 'Honey Citrus Mint Tea.' It consists of Jade Citrus Mint tea, Peach Tranquility tea, hot water, steamed lemonade, and honey.
Does 'No Water' in a Chai Tea Latte cost extra?
Starbucks standard Chai Tea Lattes are made with half hot water and half steamed milk. Ordering it 'No Water' means the barista uses entirely steamed milk. Currently, there is usually no upcharge for this, but it makes the drink creamier and higher in calories.