Sep 27
2007
Barista Jenn’s Tastey Espresso Tips
I work part-time a couple of days a week at an Espresso shop - but I don’t drink coffee. It turns out that most of my friends don’t drink coffee either. So when I told them to come by the Espresso shop for free drinks, they said: “I would, but I don’t like coffee.”
But wait! Espresso shops have so much more than coffee! I never drink coffee and I enjoy a delicious drink each day! Below are some of my favorites that you can order at any Espresso cafe.
- Any-Flavor Milkshake. “I’ll have a large chocolate-caramel-peanutbutter milkshake”.
- Smoothy. Usually a liquid smoothie-mix blended with ice. You may add juice or milk. “What flavor smoothies do you have?”
- Steamers. Delicious, hot, creamy steamed milk (non-fat if you prefer) with your favorite flavor. “I’ll take a white-chocolate-mint steamer with whip cream.”
- Frappes. Pronounced “frap” from the fun word frappuccino. A frozen, blended drink with a hint of coffee. The vanilla-based drinks can be any flavor by adding your favorite syrup. But most places carry specific flavors like our special - Honeydew Melon. “I’d like a large frappe - what flavor do you recommend?”
- Hot Chocolate. The cheapest and most delicious drink of all! Ask them to add an extra squirt of hershey’s. “I’ll take a small hot chocolate, extra sweet with whip cream.”
- Iced Tea. Plain or add a fruity flavor. “I’ll take a 20 ounce raspberry-peach iced tea.”
- Italian Sodas. Club soda, ice and your favorite flavor. If you want cream it becomes an Italian Cream Soda. “Give me a large french vanilla italian cream soda.”
- Chai Teas. A creamy blend of milk and spiced tea-mix. You can have it hot, iced or blended. The most popular flavor is “Oregon” but you can ask what other flavors they have. My favorite is vanilla. “I’ll take a 16 ounce Oregon chai.”
Disclaimer: Keep in mind that although I call myself a Barista in the title of this post - I have no formal training, therefore I just made up that the word “frappe” came from the word “frappuccino.” 
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Hey, I don't want this picture. What gives?
I love that you made up the word frappe. Maybe I’ll come try a smoothie. When do you work?!?
I work from midnight until 4am. I just made up those hours too.
Right. See you then punk ass.
I love a strong mocca. mmmmmm hot or blended
I really like a sugar-free, low-fat, caramel latte, extra-large (vente).
by the way, you may have heard me use the word “frappe”, that is what they call a milk shake in Massachusetts.
I didn’t know New Englanders called milkshakes frappes! Cool!
Also, did you know that half n half (brevé) has almost no carbs? Go for a sugar free brevé if you’re on a low carb diet! Or reach for the “skinny” milk if you’re on a low-fat diet.
what about 1% milk. is it as healthy as it sounds?
Yes, it’s certainly a better choice than whole or 2%. But they all have the same carb content. It just depends on what kind of diet you’re on. Here is a comparison:
Skim: 0 fat | 80 calories | 12 carbs
1%: 3 fat | 100 calories | 12 carbs
2%: 5 fat | 125 calories | 12 carbs
Whole: 8 fat | 150 calories | 11 carbs
Half n Half: I just know it’s super fatty and has 1 carb.
Low-carb diets work for some people, but they don’t work for me. I do the calorie-count method. I try to keep it under 1100 calories a day. And I try to eliminate fat wherever I can (like drinking skim milk).
The problem with the 1% is that most coffee shops probably won’t carry it. And don’t make the Barista mad by asking her to mix the 2% and skim… just drink the skim - you won’t notice a difference.