"Don't Order A Mocha Right Before Close" — Baristas Are Sharing The Drinks They Would Never Order In A Coffee Shop And Why

    FYI, a Starbucks “caramel macchiato” isn’t a macchiato at all.

    Coffee shops have always been excellent venues for talented baristas to display their skills and try innovative flavor combinations. However, regarding coffee and espresso trends, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have the power to launch “viral” drinks at lightning speed. But just because a coffee beverage looks great in photos and videos doesn’t mean that baristas view it as an ideal order.

    A glass of iced coffee sits on a counter, with swirls of milk mixing into the coffee, creating a marbled effect. The background is blurred
    Asep Saripudin/500px via Getty Images

    When we chatted with a large group of expert baristas from all over the country, we found that they like to keep their orders as simple as possible when visiting new cafes.

    Woman in an apron smiling while preparing a coffee drink behind the counter of a café. Other patrons and café interiors are visible in the background
    Pixdeluxe / Getty Images

    For instance, Ayat Elhag, coffee director of Yellow and Albi in Washington, D.C., said that a straightforward shot of espresso serves as “a good marker of the more technical side of their operation” and can instill confidence for more elaborate orders in the future. And Jason Hedges, beverage and coffee director of Laurent Tourondel Hospitality, said that his go-to pick is always a drip coffee because “when [drip coffee is] done well (with the correct grind size and weight, water temperature, roast quality, bean selection, etc.) you’ll notice the difference immediately.” 

    But if you prefer milk-based espresso drinks and coffee pick-me-ups with creative ingredients and flavors, the pros understand how you feel and are happy to accommodate. That said, there are a handful of popular and on-trend beverages that baristas hesitate to recommend.

    1. A ‘caramel macchiato’ is not what Starbucks thinks it is.