Most people love drinking coffee because it has been a part of their lifestyle! Some coffee lovers visit a café every day just to indulge in their favorite coffee shop drinks. If you’re a coffee shop owner, this is an excellent opportunity to offer more blends than just the typical brewed coffee. So, here are popular coffee drinks to consider for your café!
Coffee Shop Drinks Everyone Will Love
Most coffee shop drinks are espresso-based. So, if you’re planning to start a café, we recommend investing in an espresso machine for coffee shops. Here are some coffee-based drinks to consider:
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Espresso
Espresso is by far the most common coffee drink. Espresso is a shot of concentrated coffee made by applying high pressure to boiling water to pass through finely-ground coffee beans. Making espresso yields a single or double shot that is aromatic, potent, flavorful, and caffeinated. The crema that forms on top of the espresso is the crowning touch.
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Americano
An Americano is a popular coffee shop beverage that combines water and espresso. Espresso is mixed with hot water rather than having water poured over the espresso to prevent over-extraction. This is a great espresso alternative for those who find the pure form too intense. Americanos are traditionally served black, but you can always ask your customers if they want to add milk. Also, an iced Americano is a refreshing option for a summertime beverage.
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Latté
Another espresso-based beverage that has gained worldwide popularity is the latté. Latté is an Italian word that translates to "coffee and milk.” It’s often compared to cappuccino, but the main difference between a latté and a cappuccino is that the latte is made with more steamed milk and topped with only a thin layer of foam. This popular coffee drink is an excellent option for customers who want coffee but don't want anything too intense
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Cappuccino
A cappuccino is an espresso-based drink that’s among the most popular coffee drinks you’ll find in a café. This tasty beverage consists of espresso and steamed milk. To make it even more decadent, you can substitute foamed cream for the milk in the basic recipe. Other possible additions include syrups, cocoa powder, and spices. Serve the drink in a cappuccino cup, top it with latte art, and your customers will surely cherish your brew!
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Caffé Mocha
Also known as a mocha latte, this common coffee drink combines espresso, steamed milk, chocolate syrup, and milk foam. You can also add whipped cream on top for a nice touch. Finally, dust the top with a little bit of cocoa powder, and let your customers have a delicious, chocolatey coffee drink!
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Caffé Macchiato
Caffè macchiato literally means "stained coffee" or "marked coffee" because the Italian word macchiato means "stained" or "spotted”. You can make a classic macchiato with espresso, a splash of steamed milk, and a very thin layer of milk foam. A macchiato is more robust than a latte because it only contains a small amount of milk. If you have customers who like strong espresso but also enjoy the creamy flavor of steamed milk, this popular coffee shop brew is for them.
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Affogato
What can be made when espresso and vanilla ice cream are combined? Obviously, an affogato! The affogato combines the best of Italian coffee with the sweetness and creaminess of a dessert drink. This popular coffee drink is made by pouring hot espresso over vanilla ice cream. You can make affogatos even better by topping them with tasty treats like mint leaves, chocolate or caramel sauce, cookie crumble, and sprinkles!
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Cold Brew
Cold brew coffee is a refreshing beverage made by soaking freshly ground coffee in cold water for at least 12 hours. This common coffee drink tastes great hot or cold because it is silky smooth, has low acidity, and has a lot of caffeine. It's great with milk, on its own, or as a base to make other specialty coffee drinks.
Since cold brew takes hours to make, make it the night before your café opens. Refrigerate them so you can have cold brew on hand. Consider purchasing a commercial conical burr grinder to ensure that your ground coffee for cold brew is always fresh!
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Frappé
A frappé is a deliciously foamy and refreshing iced coffee shop drink. It’s made by combining water, espresso, sugar, milk, and ice in a blender. In most cafés, frappés are prepared by blending ice and other ingredients in a blender, but the method used may vary. Frappes come in a dizzying array of flavors, from fruit to caramel and beyond.
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Café au Lait
France is the birthplace of the café au lait, a popular coffee drink with milk. A traditional café au lait consists of a cup of coffee brewed in a French press and a cup of steamed milk. Traditionally, no milk foam is added to the brew, but some coffee shops add a very thin layer for texture. A café au lait contains less caffeine than a latte and has a milder coffee flavor.
Popular Non-Coffee Drinks Worth The Try
When you're learning how to start a coffee shop, you’ll notice that coffee-based drinks aren’t the only essential coffee shop drinks you can serve. Well, you‘ve got to make your café available to all, right? So, consider these non-coffee options to attract a wider audience!
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Matcha Latté
A matcha latté is a tea latté made with matcha green tea powder and steamed milk. The matcha in a traditional cafe latté replaces the espresso, giving it a bright green color and a slightly bitter taste. You can serve this common non-coffee drink, either hot or iced, in your café.
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Kombucha
Kombucha is among the popular non-coffee drinks offered at coffee shops. This fermented drink contains tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast. Kombucha tastes tart and has a sweet flavor. It’s usually served cold in a bottle and is perfect as a summertime drink!
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Milkshakes
Milkshakes are another favorite coffee shop drink. This tasty drink is made by blending milk, ice cream, and sweeteners like butterscotch, caramel sauce, or chocolate syrup. The beverage will look adorable when garnished with whipped cream, sprinkles, cherries, and marshmallows!
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Hot Chocolate
Offering hot chocolate to customers needing a warm, comforting drink is a surefire way to make a sale during the cold months! Hot chocolate is a simple café drink that’s made with milk and any chocolate product. If you want to make the drink look fancier, sprinkle some chocolate powder and whipped cream on top.
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Hot Apple Cider
Warming up with a mug of apple cider on a chilly day is a pleasant café drink experience. Apple cider's crisp flavor is a tasty treat, and baristas can elevate the drink by adding other flavors. Many customers, for example, will appreciate hot apple cider and cinnamon.
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Hot or Iced Tea
One of the most popular non-coffee beverage options is tea. Your coffee shop can offer different types of tea, such as black tea, green tea, and oolong. Adding green tea lattes and other specialty tea drinks like chai and matcha would significantly broaden your customer base and increase sales!
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Herbal Tea
Herbal teas are an excellent add-on for the health-conscious customers you may have. Herbal teas are popular not only due to their delicious taste but also due to their enticing aroma. Additionally, many people consume them for the purported health advantages they provide. For your coffee shop's drink menu, consider chamomile, ginger, barley, or peppermint tea.
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Juice
During the warmer months, serving juice is a great way to keep customers hydrated. You can offer them freshly squeezed juices like lemonade, orange juice, and cucumber lemonade. Serve this drink in stylish coffee shop glasses fitted with decorative, eco-friendly straws, and watch the crowds flock to your shop!
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Fruit Smoothie
Providing a refreshing fruit smoothie is yet another great idea for beating the heat. Smoothies typically consist of fruit juice, milk, yogurt, or ice cream blended with liquid. This popular coffee shop drink can be taken to the next level by mixing fruits together and offering unique fruit smoothie flavors.
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Milk Steamers
For a drink that's suitable for both adults and children, try a milk steamer. This common coffee shop drink is typically made with steamed milk and syrup. Milk steamers also come in a variety of flavors such as vanilla, caramel, cinnamon dolce, and peppermint. Whisk in some whipped cream for a richer mouthfeel.
Serve the best coffee shop drinks!
It's no secret that most people's daily routines now include a cup of coffee, so coffee shops are always vying to provide their customers with the best beverages possible. These essential coffee shop drinks are just the tip of the iceberg. You can always try out new beverages, both coffee-based and otherwise, to increase your coffee shop's customer base. For now, consider offering these delectable brews to your café. Who knows, one of these might become your store’s signature drink!
