Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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PSA: milk does not go on top (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by westhawk777
When you add milk to an iced, water based drink (iced americanos, iced coffee, or cold brew) you only full to the second line, milk goes to the third and ice on top.
This is standard and it’s important because it keeps the ratio of the beverage consistent so the drink tastes the same every time.
I never knew this was something that was missed until I started ordering drinks on my day off with the drink and food markout. I have got it with too much cold brew (cold brew to the third line, almond milk half way to the top and then light ice, or with the almond milk poured on top of the ice.
It’s hard to want to order a drink when it’s made differently every single time. I also get vanilla which you can’t taste if there’s too much cold brew or almond milk. People know to order light ice if they want it so be cautious of changing proportions of ingredients unless they ask.
If you need to look this up for fellow partners: Cold brew w/ milk recipe card has this explicitly in the instructions.
This is standard and it’s important because it keeps the ratio of the beverage consistent so the drink tastes the same every time.
I never knew this was something that was missed until I started ordering drinks on my day off with the drink and food markout. I have got it with too much cold brew (cold brew to the third line, almond milk half way to the top and then light ice, or with the almond milk poured on top of the ice.
It’s hard to want to order a drink when it’s made differently every single time. I also get vanilla which you can’t taste if there’s too much cold brew or almond milk. People know to order light ice if they want it so be cautious of changing proportions of ingredients unless they ask.
If you need to look this up for fellow partners: Cold brew w/ milk recipe card has this explicitly in the instructions.
itswillertime 10 points 3y ago
What I’m saying is that an iced coffee on its own usually doesn’t get any dairy right? But there’s a menu item specifically called “iced coffee with milk” — which also has it’s own recipe card.
On a recipe card for iced coffee it probably doesn’t say add the milk like that, not for an iced coffee. Because the customer will add the milk themselves if at a cafe. Thus it will go on top.
Same with iced americanos there’s not an step to add milk to hot or iced americanos so don’t call it a standard.
On a recipe card for iced coffee it probably doesn’t say add the milk like that, not for an iced coffee. Because the customer will add the milk themselves if at a cafe. Thus it will go on top.
Same with iced americanos there’s not an step to add milk to hot or iced americanos so don’t call it a standard.
greener-bean 2 points 3y ago
Just check the BRM. It is a standard...
westhawk777 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
I understand what you’re saying, however the build is not different just because it’s not on the card. When someone adds milk at condiment bar on top of the drink, they stir it in. We have to ensure the amount of milk is consistent, hence using the lines on the cup and helping the drink mix together by putting it under the ice. It is standard, this information is available on the app. The drinks “iced coffee/cold brew w/ milk” is a shortcut for customers, not a whole new drink.
edit: partner hub, not the app
edit: partner hub, not the app
eternallysunnyd 6 points 3y ago
Non-barista here, just longtime caffeine addict: yeah, when the milk (almond in my case) goes through the ice it’s both a bitch and a half to mix in and gets weird right off the rip; syrup, cold brew, milk, then ice makes the most sense. And some franchisees need to stop trying to sneak extra profit by directing baristas to cram in more ice. I don’t need 50% of the cup ice; I’d go to Dunkin if I wanted that.
westhawk777 [OP] 4 points 3y ago
It really messes up the taste of the drink if it’s not measured correctly which is why I try to correct it as much as I can!
snowpeech 3 points 3y ago
Starbucks is 50% ice if made properly - the ice scoop has the same volume as the cup. Ask for light ice ;)
dancing_durian 3 points 3y ago
Well, try this on for size. My SM came from nitro store and we still to this day doesn’t have nitro due to space. She NEVER cuts her CB. We kept wondering why we ran out of CB so fast until we caught her one day making CB drinks.
westhawk777 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
My SM does some crazy shit too! He told us cold foam didn’t get vanilla, he even tried to add up the calories to prove it after I showed him the recipe card. The DM told him 😅
Mjfrancois10 3 points 3y ago
I was told for things like iced coffee and cold brew, non-diary milk does go on top.
ilovebrandonj 16 points 3y ago
Nope! Only time dairy is ever on top is for the vanilla sweet cream cold brew. Otherwise it’s coffee to the second line then milk to third then ice.
CuriousPersonGuy 3 points 3y ago
What is it’s espresso over ice with milk. Milk goes on top. Same with Double-shot
westhawk777 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
Yes! I’ve had to re-train everyone at my new store on this!
MrBalderus 2 points 3y ago
I'm not fond of Baristas putting milk on the bottom or in after the ice (the only times the milk should go on top is eith a Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew and Starbucks Doubleshot on ice.)
It should be syrup/sweeteners, coffee, milk, then ice.
Consistency is key to a a store model like this.
It should be syrup/sweeteners, coffee, milk, then ice.
Consistency is key to a a store model like this.
S50013563g9 2 points 3y ago
thanks, I’ve been at starbucks for 2 years now and became a trainer recently but working through COVID I feel like I lost brain cells and I needed this reminder 🥺😔
itswillertime 2 points 3y ago
We have a distinct drink called “iced coffee with milk” that would be that standard but we also have “iced coffee” which I doubt adding milk like that is standard. Idk if there’s a price difference can’t confirm on my mobile app because all the stores are closed in my area.
I for one don’t like my iced coffee mixed with milk like that, I want it on top and it trickles down through the ice. Same thing with iced americanos.
I for one don’t like my iced coffee mixed with milk like that, I want it on top and it trickles down through the ice. Same thing with iced americanos.
westhawk777 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
But that’s not standard. We have to be consistent with how much we’re adding and milk on top does not mix. You can ask for it any way you enjoy, but that’s not how it should be made by default. Partner hub has more resources on adding milk to all beverages. Vanilla sweat cream goes on top of the ice in a Vanilla Sweat Cream Cold Brew.
mykotman12 3 points 3y ago
So why does iced coffee get cream before the ice but vanilla sweet cream cold brew gets it on top?
westhawk777 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
because it’s vanilla sweat cream and not regular dairy. As you know, VSC isn’t on the dairy page it’s on the last page. It shares similarities with the nitro to create a cascade effect.
mykotman12 2 points 3y ago
Good to know. Thanks
AlkalineTime 1 points 3y ago
3 year partner and I ALWAYS go out of my way to add milk LAST (to Ice coffee/ice americano) cuz custies like it better and it looks so much better than a thin line of milk at the bottom of the cup. They come and pick it up and they’re like huh? What am I gonna do with this milk at the bottom? You’re right though according to Starbucks. I know I’ve gotten customer connections up
Cuz of adding milk last though. At least so I’ve been told...
Cuz of adding milk last though. At least so I’ve been told...
westhawk777 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
well the milk should never be at the bottom. on top of the iced coffee or cold brew just under the ice which mixes it. The main idea is that if we teach customers standard, and we all do standard, they can customize their drink to their preference at any store they go to without having a “well we do it this way because someone likes it” we all have customers who like it a certain way but if each store decides on their own standard, we are going to be messing up 90% of orders for the 10% who wanted something outside of standard.
AlkalineTime 2 points 3y ago
It’s often at the bottom cuz baristas are swamped and they prep their drinks. I can’t stand when they so this but it happens all the time. You’re absolutely right with the Starbucks standard, but there should be a modifier “dairy on top” or “creamer last” cuz customers like the swirl it makes - similar to a Starbucks double shot
[deleted] 1 points 3y ago
The only drink I think of that this doesn't apply to is the vsccb. That gets just a splash on top of sweet cream.
westhawk777 [OP] 2 points 3y ago
yupp. ¼ in to be exact.
_violetaaa 1 points 3y ago
I don't think any barista I work with would actually care about consistency
westhawk777 [OP] 3 points 3y ago
that’s..... a problem lol. Ordering the same drink should taste the same. I would take the initiative to coach partners to make them better.
_violetaaa 1 points 3y ago
I agree. >.<
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