“heading to work or any other occasion?”

If they have a cool or unusual car, ask them how they like it. Discuss their drink order, is it a new favorite, have they been ordering it for years? Are they long time residents or new to the area? If you see university insignia, did they go to that university? Pro sports/college sports t shirts or hat, do they support that team? How’s the season going for their team? Compliment a woman on her watch, or bracelet when she reaches to pay. If a man pays with an Apple Watch, ask how he likes it. Elderly folks, love to discuss nice weather, seasons changing. Keep it basic, pleasant and light, truly small talk. They may open up more, that’s great, that’s a connection! Personally, I wouldn’t like physical compliments, especially from men

I like to compliment people on something, it feels much more natural and you can segue into a conversation more easily.

"Anything cool going on for y’a"
Or if they’re a regular and they don’t have one specific drink
"What’d you wind up going with today"

I like to ask them open-ended questions. Right now one that I'm using is "Whats the first thing you want to do when Covid is no longer a thing?" It forces them to kind of think and then if they have so.ething in mind I can ask them a more specific question about what they want to do. If they don't I talk about what other customers have said.