Asking for Recommendations and Customizing
A customer is unsure what to order and asks the barista for recommendations, then requests specific customizations to their drink (e.g., milk type, extra syrup).
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
recommendations
Suggestions for what to choose, like drinks or food. Use this when you're unsure and want advice from someone, such as a barista.
seasonal special
A limited-time item available only during a certain season, like fall flavors. It's popular and changes with the time of year.
latte
A coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk, often flavored. Common in coffee shops; you can customize it with different milks or syrups.
cold brew
Coffee made by steeping grounds in cold water for a long time, resulting in a smooth, less acidic taste. Good for hot days.
almond milk
A non-dairy milk made from almonds, used as a substitute for regular cow's milk in drinks. Popular for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan.
espresso
Strong coffee brewed by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure. It's the base for many drinks like lattes.
shot
A single serving of espresso, about 1 ounce. You can order single, double, or triple shots to adjust the strength of your coffee.
pump
A squirt or measure of syrup added to drinks for flavor. One pump is usually a small amount; extra pumps make it sweeter.
syrup
A sweet liquid flavored with fruits, spices, or other tastes, added to coffee or tea. Common flavors include vanilla, caramel, or pumpkin spice.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Do you have any recommendations?
This is a polite question to ask for suggestions when you're undecided. It's useful in shops or restaurants; it shows you're open to advice and starts a helpful conversation.
Our seasonal special, the Pumpkin Spice Latte, is very popular.
This introduces a recommended item and explains why it's good. Use it to suggest something timely and appealing; 'seasonal special' highlights limited offers.
Can I get that with almond milk instead of regular milk?
This requests a customization by substituting one ingredient for another. It's a common way to personalize orders; 'instead of' means replacing something.
Would you like a single, double, or triple shot of espresso?
This offers choices for drink strength. It's polite with 'would you like' and lists options clearly; useful for service staff to confirm preferences.
Could I get an extra pump of pumpkin spice syrup, please?
This politely asks for an addition to make the drink sweeter. 'Could I get' is a soft request; add 'please' for courtesy. Great for customizing flavors.
So that's one Pumpkin Spice Latte with almond milk, a single shot, and an extra pump of pumpkin spice syrup.
This repeats the order to confirm details. It's essential for accuracy in transactions; use it to summarize and avoid mistakes before payment.
Anything else for you today?
This checks if the customer wants more items. It's a standard closing question in service; helps upsell and ensures the order is complete.