How To Order Coffee: Everything You Need to Know About Your Favorite Java Drinks

Ah, coffee. Where in the world would we be without our coffee? The first thing we instinctively reach for when we wake up in the morning, there’s nothing like a steaming cup of strong coffee to start your day.

Allowing us to continuously recharge and refocus whenever we need a dose of some much-needed energy, coffee is one of those magical liquids capable of sharpening our minds and igniting our taste buds with its rich, nourishing flavor.

Of course, as any coffee aficionado knows, the world of java is filled with viable alternatives to a simple cup of coffee. In an industry populated by lattes, Americanos, cold brews, cappuccino, espresso, and macchiatos, it might be a tad tricky knowing which coffee option is the best for you.

Fortunately, we put together this helpful guide explaining what each coffee order is, as well as some helpful facts you should know before you go racing off to your nearest Starbucks, Dunkin, or independent coffee shop.

Drip Coffee

The most common variation of coffee in the U.S., drip coffee derives from grinding down coffee beans into a coarse powder, then allowing heated water to pass through the remaining residue.

The go-to beverage for diners nationwide, it can be served in a variety of ways, including black (I.E. no added ingredients), or alternatively with cream, milk, Half and Half, flavored creamer, sugar, or other additional sweeteners.

Cold Brew

While drip coffee is almost always served steaming hot, cold brew is traditionally served in a chilled glass, often with ice to dilute its flavor. Whereas drip coffee is best served after it’s been freshly brewed, cold brew is made by steeping ground coffee in room-temperature water, where it grows stronger and more caffeinated the longer it sits.

Like drip coffee, it can be served with cream, milk, Half and Half, flavored creamer and syrups, sugar, or other additional sweeteners.

Espresso

The traditional form of coffee in Europe, espresso is a concentrated dose of pure ground coffee. While limited to around an ounce of liquid, its concentrated form makes it a far stronger alternative to drip coffee or cold brew. 

In addition to plain cups of espresso, this international delicacy can also be added to a plain cup of drip coffee (a concoction known to baristas as the “Red Eye”). You can also order a double serving of espresso (sometimes known as a doppio) for an even greater jolt of energy.

Latte

The ideal starting place for anyone new to coffee, lattes combine a healthy amount of steamed milk with a single shot of espresso. In most cases, lattes are also injected with a specific flavor syrup to cover its otherwise mild taste, from year-around flavors like vanilla and caramel to seasonal tastings like pumpkin, eggnog, and gingerbread.

Americano

One might describe Americanos as cafe lattes made with water instead of steamed milk. Two parts hot water and one part espresso, it’s a helpful introductory beverage for those unable to handle the sharp taste of espresso or the sweetened flavoring of a latte.

Cafe au Lait

While drip coffee is the norm in cafes and coffee shops across the country, some locations opt for a French press instead – a variation of drip coffee that brews a single cup of remarkably strong coffee. Unlike lattes, which combine a cup of espresso with a hearty helping of steamed milk, cafe au lait tosses together a cup of French press coffee with an equal amount of steamed milk.

Cappuccino

A close cousin of a cafe latte, cappuccinos are made by adding together espresso, steamed milk, and a frothy foamed milk topping. Though it bears a strong resemblance to lattes, cappuccinos very rarely feature added flavoring, although it can be garnished with shaved chocolate or fresh-ground cinnamon.

Flat White

Like the aforementioned cappuccino, flat whites are incredibly similar to cafe lattes – the main difference between the two being the amount of milk used in each dish. While lattes feature far more milk than espresso, flat whites incorporate an equal balance of espresso and steamed milk, allowing for a richer, stronger flavor than lattes or even cappuccinos.

Macchiato

Evolving from the latte or flat white before it, macchiatos relies on an equal balance of espresso and steamed milk. Most notably, macchiatos also rely on added flavor syrups to mask the taste of the espresso, with common flavors including caramel, vanilla, chocolate, or hazelnut.

Cortado

The logical next step from the macchiato, cortados feature a balanced mix of espresso and heated milk with a thin layer of foam topping. Though it retains the fundamental taste of an espresso, its milky flavor helps cut back on the espresso’s acidity, ensuring a more palatable taste for those adverse to stronger coffee flavoring.

Mocha

As much a dessert as it is a delicious coffee, mochas blend one part espresso, two parts steamed milk, and one part either chocolate powder or chocolate syrup into its basic recipe. Traditionally topped with whipped cream, it’s a sweet, creamy beverage, with the chocolate and milk combination often stripping the espresso of its sharp, bitter taste.