Drink customizations have granted us skies-the-limit freedom when it comes to ordering coffee. TikTok has taken it a step further and become a breeding ground for innovative new beverages. Think: The Dubai Chocolate Matcha or Cookie Frap. But there’s a caveat to requesting extra syrup, dairy alternatives, a specific temperature, and niche toppings—you might be met with a little side eye or glare from your barista.
While they may grin and bear your insufferable order, just know you might not get a warm and fuzzy cup doodle. Here are the orders baristas hate and what they’d prefer you order instead. Plus, all the other insider tips they want you to know so, so badly—for their own sanity.
Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccinos
…or any frappe, for that matter. “One drink I literally hated making was, well, any Frappucino,” former Starbucks employee Kaleigh French tells Delish. “Just so annoying to make. Especially the Mocha Cookie Crumble. It had a lot of steps to it.”
More Than Five Pumps Of Syrup
Syrup asks are getting excessive, according to some baristas. “The amount of syrup people put in their drink is astounding. There was one order that was like half the cup of syrup,” French says.
Others agreed on Reddit. “I have a [regular] that orders a no ice, venti pink drink made with sweet cream, 4 vanilla powder scoops, 9 vanilla syrup pumps, and vanilla bean cold foam,” one person wrote, before adding, “Sends it back because it isn’t sweet enough…”
“More than six to eight pumps of any given syrup. Tell me you actually hate coffee without telling me,” another wrote.
Matcha Lattes
While you might think your classic matcha order is simple and easy, your barista might not feel the same. “It’s soooo annoying,” French says. “It’s a powder that gets everywhere and then you have to shake it and it foams up so like half the drink is foam.”
She’s not the only one, either. “For me, [the worst drink] is iced matcha with cold foam,” a barista wrote on Reddit. “Not even Fraps make me sigh like that drink idk why.”
Starbucks-Style Drinks
“I hated whenever a customer would order a Macchiato, or specifically, a Caramel Macchiato at the small coffee shop I worked at,” former barista Gaby Viano tells Delish. “The Starbucks version is like a caramel latte with a caramel drizzle, but an actual Macchiato is Italian, which is a tiny drop of milk with espresso.”
“People would order a Macchiato thinking it’s like Starbucks, but it’s literally just a shot of espresso and it always created a lot of problems and complaints.”
Drinks You Don’t Even Know
It can be exhausting for baristas to make a drink properly, only for you, the customer, to tell them otherwise. If you’re ordering something specific, know what it actually is—or don’t complain about it when it doesn’t meet your expectations of what you previously thought.
“One time this man got mad at me because I put water in his Americano,” Viano says. “I’m like, ‘an Americano is water with espresso.’ Mind you I made this for him everyday, too. He freaked out and was screaming at me. He told me I was ‘stupid.'”
Another barista online had a similar experience. “[I hate when someone orders] anything extra hot with no foam. It’s gonna be foamy if you steam it to hell and back,” they wrote.
But You Can Compliment Their Latte Art
Look, baristas aren’t just there to listen to you bark about your cold foam not being cold enough. They’re artists, after all! Latte artists! And they love it when you compliment or admire their work.
“My favorite thing to make was a hot latte because I could practice my latte art,” Viano says. “It’s fun, you can give someone something cute and their reaction is always sweet. Seeing someone take a picture of their latte I made is the best feeling ever.”
“The first time I saw someone taking an aesthetic photo of their latte was the best,” she adds.
You’re Allowed To Overshare
Having a bad day? They’re probably here for the tea. “I loved regulars who would overshare,” Viano continues. “Like people would sit and vent about their ex-boyfriends or their jobs.” Next time you’re sad, just visit your emotional support barista.
They Love Cold Brew Customers The Most
While, sure, they might love to practice latte art now and again, it’s also nice to…not. “I love when someone orders cold brew,” Viano says. “It’s easy to make because you pour it over ice.” Fair enough.
“I liked the easy ones,” French agrees and gives chai as an example. “Partially, because Starbucks was more worried about getting drinks out fast than the quality of the drinks. I think if they didn’t rush everyone so much, it would be more fun to really get creative and make sure that people had good coffee.”
Megan Schaltegger is an NYC-based writer. She loves strong coffee, eating her way through the Manhattan food scene, and her dog, Murray. She promises not to talk about herself in third person IRL.
