A tip for getting a better latte at Starbucks

[phaelon56]

Starbucks espresso certainly isn't the best but for many of us it is sometimes the only thing available when we're in certain locations or better than the alternatives.

Starbucks tends to make their cappuccinoos with an excess of very dry foam - I prefer the texture of the lattes but there's just waaaaay too much milk relative to the amount of espresso.

I have adopted the habit of ordering a quad shot (two doubles) in a grande size cup (16 oz). This usually has about the right ratio of espresso to milk (I prefer a ratio that has a bit more espresso than this but that requires higher quality espresso shots than the 'bucks offers).

Here's the good news: Starbucks has "short" cups. These are 8 oz cups and they are not listed as an available size on the menus or price boards. Just order a double shot Tall latte, ask that it be served in a "short" cup and clarify that you're okay with paying for a "Tall". You'll get a roughly 3 to 1 milk to espresso ratio and a pretty decent drink as such things go.

[Holly Moore]

Latte Grande, Three Shots, Skim Milk, No Foam here.

Or in Starbucks-Speak, Triple Grande, No Fat, No Foam Latte.

I've found that three shots in a medium cup is just the right combo for me, though it is far righter if I'm at a local Philadelphia shop that uses La Columbe espresso.

[hjshorter]

I started ordering a short latte with a double shot a couple of years ago - much much better than a single shot tall. And yes, it's the same price as a tall.

[tommy]

this all strikes me as a lot of work for a coffee!

[hjshorter]

Nah. I walk up and say "double short latte" and minutes later it's in my hand.

[Jason Perlow]

And make sure you order it Off The Broiler!

Oh wait, wrong thread.

[Coop]

For me it's a three shot tall latte, or Americano. Even do it with egg nog during the season.

[kellycolorado]

I always get my americanos short there now- otherwise they're WAY too weak. I discovered that a few months ago living in an area where 3 indie coffeeshops had closed and two more Starbucks opened in a 3 mile radius within a year.