Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Starting as a new barista (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by seouoia
Hi, I started working at Starbucks in October and I have been struggling to remember how to make the drinks. How long did it take for you to learn the drinks? How did you learn how to make them? Anything helps :)
darthtinmay 7 points 2y ago
Hello! I started in October as well. Cold drinks were never a problem for me. I struggled with hot drinks more in the beginning. I couldn’t remember exactly how many pumps.
However, the tip from my coworkers that changed everything for me was “grande is four.” If you can remember that grandes get four pumps, everything else is super easy! For a tall subtract one. Venti add one. For caramel macchiatos it’s one less.
The second big tip for me was just going over the recipe cards over and over.
At the end of the day tho, it’s really just practice and muscle memory! The more you do it, the more natural it becomes. For me, it took about 1month to remember all the drinks and it took 2 months to feel confident at what I was doing and get the speed. I was put on bar right away tho. I hardly did DTO or DTR. But everyone is different! Some of my coworkers said it took 3months, 6months, 10months, or even just 2weeks. Don’t get discouraged (:
However, the tip from my coworkers that changed everything for me was “grande is four.” If you can remember that grandes get four pumps, everything else is super easy! For a tall subtract one. Venti add one. For caramel macchiatos it’s one less.
The second big tip for me was just going over the recipe cards over and over.
At the end of the day tho, it’s really just practice and muscle memory! The more you do it, the more natural it becomes. For me, it took about 1month to remember all the drinks and it took 2 months to feel confident at what I was doing and get the speed. I was put on bar right away tho. I hardly did DTO or DTR. But everyone is different! Some of my coworkers said it took 3months, 6months, 10months, or even just 2weeks. Don’t get discouraged (:
seouoia [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Thank you so much. I’ll remember the “grande is four”. I’ll keep studying online. :)
DieLawnUwU 5 points 2y ago
If you’re running cafe or drive thru register look at the right side and it will show you how many pumps and what kind of toppings it gets. No one told me that when I was being trained and I felt really silly when I found that out. But don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help.
seouoia [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you so much. This helped a lot.
strexedoctopus 5 points 2y ago
I started in December and what helped me the most was looking at a cheat sheet that was made and posted here on reddit, I study the little cards when on breaks and honestly big game changer! Just remember pumps and shots for the sizes.
​
Hot Shots : S 1 T 1 G 2 V 2
Hot Pumps: S 2 T 3 G 4 V 5
​
Cold Shots: T 1 G 2 V 3 Tr 3
Cold Pumps: T 3 G 4 V 6 Tr 7
​
Blended (pumps, scoops) T 2 G 3 V 4
​
I try. to quiz myself and be like "hey id like a venti iced caramel macchiato" so in my head id describe how to make it so I can memorize it and just things like that :)
​
Hot Shots : S 1 T 1 G 2 V 2
Hot Pumps: S 2 T 3 G 4 V 5
​
Cold Shots: T 1 G 2 V 3 Tr 3
Cold Pumps: T 3 G 4 V 6 Tr 7
​
Blended (pumps, scoops) T 2 G 3 V 4
​
I try. to quiz myself and be like "hey id like a venti iced caramel macchiato" so in my head id describe how to make it so I can memorize it and just things like that :)
seouoia [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thank you so much. This helps a ton. I think I’m also going to watch some YouTube and write some notes on making the drinks.
ucantseethru2day 2 points 2y ago
Lol I worked there 8 months and never knew them all. Be gentle with yourself. You’ll get the hang of it
seouoia [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Okay, thank you:) I’m trying to take it easy haha
rio8envy7 2 points 2y ago
Honestly it took me a while. I think it took me maybe a year to get bar time but I learned from watching Partners at other stores and from partners at my store. Is there a specific thing you’re struggling with?
seouoia [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Honestly I’m struggling with just about everything. I’m trying to learn how to make all the drinks. Hopefully it’ll click soon.
rio8envy7 3 points 2y ago
It takes time. Steaming milk is hard at first but it then becomes second nature. Try learning to make a regular latte first. It’s a basic drink and is the foundation of pretty much all the hot drinks (exception being americanos). Then once you’ve gotten the hang of that add a syrup to it. Once you can make a syrup latte it’s really all a matter of substitution. The only difference between a vanilla latte and a mocha is one gets mocha and whip and the other gets vanilla and no whip. Difference between mocha and hot chocolate one gets shots of espresso and one doesn’t. Same number of shots and pumps. It’s a lot to remember and will take time so please don’t get discouraged because you will get the hang of it. I’ve been with Starbucks for quite some time and I’ve just become more confident in my bar abilities.
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