Many people walk into a coffee shop and order their usual drink without a second thought. Others browse the menu and just pick whatever looks good in the moment.
Taste is subjective, and the coffee you enjoy the most might not be right for someone else. However, “there are always a few suggestions that can be made to keep the quality of your preferred beverage high,” said Kat McCarthy, a specialty coffee trainer at Lavazza.
Often, these are small tweaks that have a big impact. “You don’t have to be a coffee snob to order a better cup of coffee. You just need to know a few things most people never ask. Once you do, it’s hard to go back,” said Drew Pond, a trained barista, director of development and co-owner of Midwest coffee roaster Stone Creek Coffee.
Here’s how the experts say you can up your game.
Order the right roast.
When ordering a cup of coffee, most people don’t specify whether they prefer a light, medium or dark roast. That’s the case even if the coffee shop has multiple options available. However, it’s a mistake not to start your coffee order by indicating the type of roast you would like, Pond said.
“Most folks think roast level is just about color, but it’s actually your flavor decoder ring,” he explained. According to Pond, if you drink black coffee, a light roast is a better choice for most people. Light roasts “show you the full character of the origin. Think citrus, floral, sometimes even funky fruit if it’s a natural process,” he said. Chances are light roasts are the coffees your barista is “geeking out on” behind the counter, Pond said.
However, if you add milk and sugar to your coffee, a dark roast is best. “Some lighter roasts can disappear once modifiers are added,” McCarthy explained.
Don’t overdo flavored syrups.
Adding flavored syrups to a standard coffee can transform your pick-me-up into a treat. However, Pond said that a small customization can elevate your flavored drink even further.
“Start with half the usual pumps. Let the coffee have a voice,” Pond said. You can always add another half-pump if you find you prefer a stronger flavor, but most people find they prefer a half-pump, Pond explained.
If you don’t like the artificial flavors of some flavored syrups, swap them for real maple syrup or honey, suggested Jake Niman, a barista and founder of Mixcraft and Mixcraft Cafe, a mobile cocktail and coffee cart company. They “add natural sweetness without that artificial aftertaste,” he explained.
Or, look for a coffee shop with homemade syrups, suggestsed Jenn Salamone, head of coffee at Tatte Bakery and Cafe in Ridgewood, New Jersey. “When syrups are treated with a culinary approach, that is when guests can taste the bold flavors out of these simple ingredients that complement the coffee in each sip,” she said. She’s especially partial to pistachio syrup made with real pistachios that allows the coffee to “shine.”
Consider your cold coffee carefully.
When temperatures rise, many people switch from hot coffee to iced drinks. However, it’s essential to “know the difference between cold brew and iced coffee,” Pond said. He explained that cold brew is “slow-steeped, low-acid, chocolate-heavy” whereas “iced coffee is hot brewed and flash chilled.”
According to Pond, iced coffee preserves more of the coffee’s complex flavor but can be “thinner and more acidic” than cold brew. Try both to see which you prefer.
Additionally, asking for extra ice can make your cold drink better, Niman said. “It keeps your drink cold longer without melting as fast,” he explained. If you don’t want to pay more for extra ice, don’t worry. Many coffee shops “will bump you up a cup size for free if you ask for extra ice and a larger cup size,” he said.
Pick the right milk.
Many coffee shops offer a variety of milks, and knowing which one to choose can create a better-tasting drink. “Oat milk is naturally sweeter, almond milk can taste a little nutty and thinner, and whole milk gives you that rich, classic café texture,” Niman explained.
Your milk choice also impacts your drink’s texture. “Whole milk will generally give the creamiest and smoothest foam on a latte or cappuccino, whereas skim might be a lighter and airier texture,” McCarthy said.
If you need an alternative to dairy milk, she recommends using oat or soy milk to create the best foam on espresso drinks. And, if you want a caffeine jolt but don’t really like the taste of coffee, half-and-half will do the best job of diluting the taste, McCarthy said.
Ask how long the coffee has been sitting around.
Espresso drinks are usually made to order. However, drip coffee may sit around for hours, causing it to taste bitter or stale. If you order drip coffee, “It can also be helpful to check how long it’s been since they brewed the batch because brewed coffee loses its quality after 1-2 hours in the pot,” McCarthy said.
If the coffee has been sitting around for too long, McCarthy suggests ordering an Americano instead. An Americano is an espresso drink diluted with hot water, which is brewed fresh. The taste resembles brewed coffee but can be stronger. Ask for extra hot water if an Americano is too strong, but you want a fresh cup of Joe.
Know the differences between classic coffee drinks.
Most classic coffee house drinks are made out of the same two ingredients, espresso and milk. However, how these ingredients are combined can result in very different flavors.
“For example, a cappuccino will have a stronger coffee note than a latte, as the [cappuccino’s] proportion of foam is higher,” McCarthy explained. Meanwhile, a latte is a better choice for those who prefer a milder taste because “the idea behind a latte is to dilute the coffee flavor more with steamed milk and very little foam,” she said. If you fall in the middle, McCarthy recommends ordering a cortado, which is made with equal parts steamed milk and espresso.
Knowing the differences between different espresso drink options — including flat whites, macchiatos, breves and cafe con leches — can help you find the right drink to fit your taste and mood.
Stay curious.
Once you find a coffee drink you like, it’s easy to default to your regular order. However, “At the end of the day, the biggest upgrade is just being curious,” Pond said. He encourages all coffee lovers to ask their barista what they are excited about.
“The perfect cup of coffee isn’t something you find once. It’s something you keep chasing,” Pond said. He encourages regular coffee drinkers to keep trying something new, whether that’s a seasonal drink, a new flavored syrup, or a different type of bean. “Keep showing up. Manifest your vibe,” he said.