You're going to a new coffee shop with friends, but you have absolutely no idea what to order. You look at the menu and suddenly you're getting flustered by fancy coffee words like "cortado," "cold brew," and "blonde roast."
Don't panic and order something random that you aren't even sure you'll like!
Finding the perfect coffee drink is actually much easier than it seems. Start by asking yourself three simple questions:
Do I want something sweet and flavored?
Do I want my coffee hot or iced?
Do I like a lot of milk in my coffee?
Once you've answered those three questions, we can start narrowing down your perfect coffee order!
1. Do You Want Something Sweet and Flavored?
If your answer is a big YES, start with the specialty coffee drinks on the menu.
A coffee shop's specialty drinks are often some of its most popular and tried-and-true creations. They're also a great place to start if you're new to drinking coffee or aren't sure what flavors you like yet.
Still staring at the menu in a panic?
Look for familiar flavors like caramel, vanilla, or white chocolate. These tend to create sweeter coffee drinks and can help balance some of the stronger espresso flavor.
If you want your drink to taste a little more like coffee, try a flavor like hazelnut or ask your barista for something that isn't quite as sweet.
2. Do You Want Your Coffee Hot or Iced?
This one's easy!
Do you want something warm and cozy, or are you craving a refreshing iced coffee?
Most flavored espresso drinks and lattes can be made either hot or iced, so choosing one usually won't limit your options too much.
Texas summer? I'm probably going iced.
Cold morning? Give me that hot latte!
3. How Much Milk Do You Want?
This is where knowing a few basic coffee terms can really help.
If you like a normal amount of milk in your coffee, a latte is a great place to start. A latte combines espresso with plenty of milk, making it smooth, creamy, and approachable—especially when you add your favorite flavor.
But what if you want a hot drink with less milk and more foam?
Try ordering a cappuccino. You'll still get espresso and steamed milk, but the drink has a different milk-to-foam ratio than a traditional latte.
Now, what if you want something iced but don't want all that milk?
That's where cold brew comes in!
Ask if the coffee shop offers cold brew, then add the flavors you like with just a splash of milk or cream. For example:
"Can I get a cold brew with caramel and a splash of cream?"
And voilà! You've got a flavorful coffee drink without all the milk you'd typically find in an iced latte.
Still Don't Know What Coffee to Order? Ask Your Barista!
Here's the most important thing to remember when you're trying a new coffee shop:
You don't have to understand the entire menu.
If you're still unsure what to order, just ask your barista!
Tell them what you normally like. Sweet or not-so-sweet? Hot or iced? Creamy or strong? Do you love caramel? Hate chocolate? Want something where you can actually taste the espresso?
Those little details can help your barista recommend a drink that you'll actually enjoy.
That's what we're here for!
Looking for Coffee in New Waverly, TX?
If you're looking for a local coffee shop in New Waverly, Texas, come visit us at Honey's Coffee & Biscuits!
Whether you're an experienced coffee drinker or still trying to figure out the difference between a latte and a cappuccino, we're happy to help you find your new favorite drink.
From specialty coffee and espresso drinks to cold brew, matcha, breakfast, and our famous biscuits, there's something for just about everyone.
So come see us, tell your barista what you like, and we'll help you figure out what to order.
Who knows? You might just find your new go-to coffee order!