What is a barista?
a) a lawyer from England
b) someone who prepares alcoholic beverages
c) a fashionable garment
d) a person who loves burritos
e) someone who prepares coffee drinks
11% reported that a barista was a lawyer from England.
7% thought it was someone who prepares alcoholic beverages.
6% said it was a fashionable garment.
1% reported that it was a person who loves burritos.
41% said they did not know.
34% got it right.
All of you hardworking baristas out there should not be disheartened. Two out of three people probably can’t tell you the difference between a neurologist and a podiatrist, either. But, hey, that’s where books can help.
Slang, of course, is an important part of any novel’s setting, whether it's cop jargon or medical terminology, and I always enjoy reading a story in which the author is teaching me something new about a culture or region.
For those of you who enjoy coffeehouse culture already, you can test your java IQ with my glossary below. For those who don’t have a clue what the difference is between a "dry" cappuccino and a "skinny" latte, my list of terms will give you a head start on some basics and an easy recipe that you can make in your own kitchen. May you...
Drink (and read) with joy!
~ Cleo
Some Basic
Coffeehouse Terms
from Cleo
from Cleo
Shot–a single serving of espresso, often in a small cup called a demitasse.
Doppio espresso–two shots of espresso; “Doppio” in Italian literally means double.
Latte–(“lat” for short.) All Italian-style drinks in a gourmet coffeehouse start with at least one shot of espresso, and the latte is no exception. Short for “café latte,” this is the most popular drink served in American coffeehouses. It’s made by adding steamed or hot milk to one or more espresso shots. Americans top their lattes with foam. Italians do not.
Cappuccino–(“cap” for short.) Like a latte, this drink starts with espresso, but much more foamed milk is added than you’ll find in a latte.
Dry (or foamy)–as in “I’d like a dry cap.” Dry means you’d like more foamed milk in your drink.
Wet (or flat)–as in “I’d like a wet cap.” Wet means you’d like less foam in your cappuccino and more steamed milk instead.
Mocha–chocolate variation of a latte
Vanilla latte–when you add vanilla syrup to a plain latte
Caramel latte–when you add caramel syrup to a plain latte
And so on: Many more variations can be made to the latte by adding different flavored syrups. The above flavors are the most popular. Others commonly found in American coffeehouses include hazelnut, almond, raspberry, Irish crème, peppermint, cinnamon, and Valencia orange.
Steamers–a drink of steamed milk using flavored syrup and no espresso.
More fun coffeehouse terms include:
Red eye–aka Speed Ball, Depth Charge, Shot in the Dark, Café M.F. This drink works on the same principal as a boilermaker. It’s a shot of espresso dumped into a cup of brewed coffee. When you really need that caffeine buzz, this is your drink.
Why bother–a decaf espresso, as in: “One ‘why bother,’ please!”
Harmless–a drink made with decaf espresso and skim milk.
Skinny–coffeehouse jargon for requesting skim milk in your drink instead of whole.
Breve–as in “I’d like a breve latte or I’d like a breve cap.” This means that you would like half-and-half instead of whole milk in your drink.
Pull–as in “short pull” of espresso or “I pulled a doppio espresso for him.” Espresso machines once had handles, which the barista pulled to begin the process of forcing the water, under high pressure, through the espresso. The term stuck, even though modern coffeehouse espresso machines no longer function the same way.
Ristretto–In Italian, ristretto literally means “restricted,” and that’s a good way to think about a restricted, or short shot of espresso. It’s made with less than the usual amount of water, essentially stopped or pulled short. (You might also hear the term “short pull.” This produces an even more intense flavor than a regular espresso shot.)
And, finally...

You can be your own barista
with this frosty, refreshing recipe for a copycat "Frap"...
coffeehouse slang for
Frappuccino, of course!
To download this recipe
in a PDF document that you
can print, save, or share, click here.
in a PDF document that you
can print, save, or share, click here.
Cleo Coyle's
Chilly Copycat "Frap"
Frappuccino
Makes one 8-ounce serving
1/3 cup coffee (4 coffee ice cubes)
1/3 cup milk (low fat is fine)
2 teaspoons sugar (or more if you like your drinks sweeter)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder (makes a mochaccino)
whipped cream (optional)
DIRECTIONS: Fill an ice cube tray with leftover coffee and freeze. Place four of your coffee ice cubes in a blender. Add milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and (optional) cocoa for a mochaccino. Pulse the blender to chop the coffee cubes into fine particles. You can create an icy drink with small chips (like a frozen margarita) or run the blender full speed until the mixture is completely liquefied yet still cold and frothy. To finish, pour this frosty refresher into a glass mug and top with whipped cream.
Drink with joy!
~ Cleo Coyle
New York Times bestselling author of
The Coffeehouse Mysteries
![]() |
Yes, this is me, Cleo (aka Alice).
Friend me on facebook here.
Follow me on twitter here.
Visit my online coffeehouse here.
|
The Coffeehouse Mysteries are bestselling
works of amateur sleuth fiction set in a landmark
Greenwich Village coffeehouse, and each of the
12 titles includes the added bonus of recipes.
To learn more, click here.
The Ghost and Mrs. McClure Book #1 of The Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, which Cleo writes under the name Alice Kimberly To learn more, click here. |
very interesting and informative...I knew some of the terms but not all. Love my coffee! And I love the Coffee House mysteries.
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks for the nice note, and I hope you continue to enjoy the books!
Delete~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
Cleo Coyle on Twitter
Since we are flirting with highs in the upper 80s, this is perfect! Thanks, yet again.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Libby, thanks for dropping by and stay cool!
Delete~ Cleo Coffeehouse Mystery.com
Cleo Coyle on Twitter
Perfect for the hot weather, Cleo. I love my coffee and I will really enjoy this.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I'm happy to see I knew all the terms....but then my daughter is a barista so I guess I should:)
ReplyDeleteImportant terms to know. I love a good barista. :) Thanks, Cleo!
ReplyDeleteDaryl / Avery
Oh yum!!! Perfect recipe for a summer day, a good book and a lawn chair! Now I'll just need a piggy bank to stash all the extra money I'll be saving by making my own :-) Thanks, Cleo!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the translation of the terms. I can never remember the exact terms. I always explain what I want and they say -- sure, an xyz, like everyone should know! Beautiful photos, Cleo!
ReplyDelete~Krista
Thanks for the helpful info! =)
ReplyDeleteYour recipe sounds delicious!