There's a certain intimidation that comes with standing at a coffee bar, staring up at a menu filled with terms like "caramel macchiato," "flat white," and "café crème." You know what you like, but do you know how to ask for it?

Customizing your coffee order starts with understanding the base drink, then adjusting milk type, sweetness level, and add-ons to match your taste. Knowing the difference between espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos gives you the confidence to order exactly what you want at any coffee shop.

The good news is that this doesn't require a barista certification. Once you understand the building blocks of coffee drinks and how they come together, you'll have the vocabulary to create your perfect beverage. From choosing between a single shot or double shot of espresso to selecting your preferred milk foam thickness, every element contributes to the final taste.

Understanding Your Coffee Base

Before you can customize, you need to understand what you're starting with. Most coffee shop beverages fall into a few main categories, each offering different flavor profiles and caffeine levels.

Espresso Drinks

Espresso serves as the foundation for most specialty coffee beverages. This concentrated coffee is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee grounds under high pressure. A single shot of espresso contains about 63 milligrams of caffeine.

Common espresso drinks include:

Espresso shot: Pure espresso served in a small espresso cup
Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water for a milder taste
Long black: Similar to an Americano, but with espresso poured over hot water to preserve the crema
Latte: Espresso with steamed milk and a thin layer of milk foam
Cappuccino: Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam for a creamy texture
Latte macchiato: Steamed milk "marked" with espresso poured on top
Caramel macchiato: Vanilla-flavored milk with espresso and caramel drizzle

Drip Coffee

Drip coffee offers a smoother, less intense flavor than espresso that many people prefer for their morning routine. Black coffee made from drip brewing highlights the natural flavors of the beans, from fruity and bright to nutty and chocolatey, depending on the roast. For something in between drip coffee and espresso intensity, try a café au lait, which combines drip coffee with warm milk for a comforting, balanced drink.

When customizing drip coffee, start with your cream and sugar preferences. Many coffee shops offer half-and-half, heavy cream, or flavored creamers alongside plant-based options. You can also ask for a flavor shot of vanilla, hazelnut, or caramel to sweeten things up without adding granulated sugar that doesn't dissolve as easily in hot drinks.

Cold Brew

Cold brew has become a favorite for those who prefer cold coffee with lower acidity. Unlike iced coffee (hot coffee poured over ice), cold brew steeps coffee grounds in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, producing a smooth, naturally sweet drink that works wonderfully on its own or as a base for creative customizations.

Because cold brew is more concentrated than regular drip coffee, it's often diluted with water or milk. This makes it a perfect canvas for add-ons like sweet cream, vanilla syrup, or cold foam. For an extra treat, ask for a splash of caramel or chocolate sauce. Some coffee shops even offer nitro cold brew, which is infused with nitrogen for a creamy, almost Guinness-like texture without any added dairy.

Tea/Non-Coffee Options

For tea lovers who still want a caffeine boost, most coffee shops also offer chai tea lattes and iced tea options. A chai tea latte combines spiced tea concentrate with steamed milk, and you can add a shot of espresso to create a "dirty chai" for extra energy.

Matcha lattes have also grown in popularity, offering an earthy, slightly sweet flavor with a steady caffeine lift that feels different from coffee's quick jolt. You can order matcha hot or iced, with your choice of milk and sweetener. London fogs (Earl Grey tea with steamed milk and vanilla) offer another cozy alternative for those looking to branch out from coffee while still enjoying a café experience.

Milk Matters: Choosing Your Perfect Pour

The type of milk you choose significantly affects both taste and texture. This is where your coffee really becomes your own.

Whole milk creates the richest creamy texture and produces the best steamed milk and milk foam. The fat content helps baristas create that velvety microfoam that makes a cappuccino special. Two percent offers a lighter alternative while still producing decent foam.

For plant-based options, oat milk has become the favorite for its natural sweetness that complements coffee well. It froths beautifully and doesn't overpower the espresso flavor. Almond milk adds subtle nutty flavor and works well in iced drinks, while coconut milk brings tropical sweetness that pairs nicely with vanilla or caramel flavors.

When ordering plant-based milk, ask if your coffee shop offers "barista blend" versions. These formulations steam and foam better than regular grocery store varieties.

Sweetness and Flavor Customizations

Here's where you can really make your drink unique.

Sugar and Sweetener Options

Most coffee shops offer classic sugar, liquid sweetener or simple syrup (which dissolves more easily in cold drinks), raw sugar with slight caramel notes, honey with floral undertones, and sugar-free alternatives for those avoiding added sugar.

Flavor Syrups and Add-Ons

Popular syrup options include vanilla (a classic that works with almost any drink), vanilla bean, caramel, hazelnut, and seasonal favorites like pumpkin spice. Beyond syrups, consider chocolate powder for cocoa richness, cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth, or an extra espresso shot when you need more caffeine.

Temperature and Texture Tweaks

When ordering hot espresso drinks, you can request specific temperatures. "Extra hot" works well if you're taking your coffee to go and want it to stay warm during your commute. "Kids' temperature" or "warm" is perfect if you want to drink it right away without waiting. Foam preferences also matter: ask for "extra foam" on your cappuccino if you love that airy, pillowy texture, or "light foam" if you prefer more milk in your latte.

For cold coffee, request "light ice" if you want more drink and less dilution as the ice melts. This is especially helpful for iced lattes, where too much ice can water down the espresso flavor quickly.

Cold foam has become a popular topping, adding a creamy layer that floats on top of your iced beverage. You can get it plain, vanilla-flavored, or as sweet cream cold foam for an indulgent touch. Sweet cream (a mixture of heavy cream, milk, and vanilla) adds richness to cold brew and iced coffee without fully mixing in, creating layers of flavor as you drink.

For those with a sweet tooth, whipped cream tops off mochas and other dessert-style coffee drinks.

Building Your Perfect Order

Here's a simple framework for constructing your ideal coffee order:

Choose your size: Larger sizes don't always mean more espresso. If you want more caffeine, ask for an extra shot.
Select your base: Espresso-based, drip coffee, or cold brew, depending on your mood and caffeine needs.
Pick your milk: Choose based on dietary preferences and desired texture.
Adjust sweetness: Start conservative. Specify sugar-free options or a certain number of syrup pumps.
Add finishing touches: Cold foam, chocolate powder, or an extra espresso shot can elevate your drink.

Sample Custom Orders

The Morning Pick-Me-Up: Double shot americano with a splash of oat milk and one pump of vanilla
The Afternoon Treat: Cold brew with sweet cream and light ice
The Cozy Classic: Oat milk latte with honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon
The Study Buddy: Iced chai tea latte with an extra shot of espresso (a "dirty chai")

Coffee Shop Tips

Be specific about what you want. Saying "I'd like an iced oat milk latte with two pumps of vanilla and light ice" is much clearer than "something sweet and cold."

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Good baristas love talking about coffee and can suggest modifications that will make a drink perfect for your taste.

Fuel Your Workday at Sequel

Nothing pairs better with a productive work session than a perfectly crafted drink. Sequel Coffee Co. opened inside Roam's newest Peachtree Corners location, bringing handcrafted espresso drinks, freshly brewed coffee, and a tasty selection of breakfast sandwiches and pastries right to your workspace.

Sequel serves specialty coffee made from locally roasted beans, with indoor and outdoor seating designed for gathering and connection. Whether you need caffeine on the go through their drive-thru or prefer to savor your cup in a community-focused environment, Sequel makes it easy to elevate your morning ritual.

How to Customize Your Next Coffee Order