I'm a relatively new barista as well!

One of the tips to help me remember the pumps of syrups in hot drinks is saying "short, short, tall, grande, venti" while putting syrup in. "Short short" puts 2 pumps in a short, then doing "short, short, tall" puts 3 in a hot tall, "short, short, tall, grande" puts 4 in a hot grande, and "short, short, tall, grande, venti" puts 5 in a hot venti. The syrups for iced drinks I remember "34, 67" because it is 3 for an iced tall, 4 for an iced grande, six for an iced venti, and 7 for a trenta.

Another thing I do is ask to make my own drinks on my breaks when it isn't busy. I like to try new drinks so I can better describe them to customers, but also so it gives me a chance to make them.

My last study tip is to use this quizlet: $1

It has flashcards for syrup pumps and shots for both hot and iced drinks, as well as general barista knowledge (i.e. how to make whipped cream, your jobs under certain roles \[which can vary from store to store\], frappucino scoops, etc.)

Good luck in your new job and welcome to the team!!!

Hi! When I was new, I was put on register a lot which was frustrating. I felt that I wouldn’t learn if I didn’t practice. What I did to help make bar less overwhelming when I was put on bar is when I wasn’t busy on register, I would type in different types of drinks to look at what went into them. It helped me to have a visual of how many shots or pumps went into what type of drink so I didn’t panic on bar. Four months in and I can bar during peak! I’m not the fastest, but I can keep calm and avoid errors (when I’m not really tired from opening days in a row!). Biggest advice I can give though is be patient with yourself and remember: it’s just coffee. The customers can take a breath, they won’t die if they wait an extra minute or two. You’ve got this!!!

omg welcome!! i’m relatively new as well and had my first day on bar two days ago...it was...scary. i also have issues memorizing the shots and pumps and whatnot. tbh, the more you do it the more you remember. but i’m glad to know i’m not the only one struggling! i had my second day of bar today and felt so frickin stupid because i was taking so long to do everything and kept messing up :/ but i know it’ll get better and i hope it gets better for you!

Make a cheat sheet and keep it in your apron. Basics of cup sizes, shots and pumps, and common variations (I. E. Americano and caramel macchiato). Trust me, I have a culinary degree and even I took a while to have the recipes totally memorized. It's okay to ask someone for the recipe, we've alllllll been there. Don't stress out, just maybe take the time to write those recipes down in a small notebook or something that will fit in your pocket and peek at it before your shift, on your break, before bed. It'll sink in and feel more intuitive in due time, until that ask for help when you need it.

just ask lots of questions! you’re going to mess up drinks- customers are going to ask for remakes, sometimes you’ll make drinks and realize later on that you forgot the syrup. but it gets easier the more practice you have! once you get past the initial discomfort on bar it’ll be so much easier! I’m still a 2 month old green bean but my supervisors make sure to give me lots of solo bar time at night (and shared bar time at peak) and I’ve improved really quickly! you’ll get there!