Want to make a Starbucks barista's day? Order a flat white.
That's many baristas' favorite beverage to make, according to a Reddit thread on the topic.
"Flat whites definitely," reads a comment by anomalousone. "They make me feel like I have some cool fancy barista skills because there's so much more of a focus on the milk and shot type and [quality] than in most drinks."
A number of other Redditors have echoed the vote for flat whites as a top choice, in this and other posts.
"It's the only time on bar that I feel even a little bit close to an artisan," writes ayy_lmao_420_69 on flat whites, in a recent post about the silver linings of working at the coffee chain.
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Other barista favorites are drinks that are easy to prepare, like an iced chai tea latte, iced tea, or a simple cup of coffee. A few said that they enjoyed the caramel macchiato for reasons similar to the flat white, thanks to the artistry of the caramel criss-cross.
The most hated beverages tend to be those that are complicated to make, but also require little to no skill, like smoothies and frappuccinos. Even more annoying: the secret menu.
Recently, Starbucks' new beverage launches have progressed along two parallel paths: the artisan and the over-the-top.
Hollis Johnson
Over-the-top options include endless variations on sugary blended beverages, like the recent limited-edition Cherry Blossom frappuccino. These options - plus variations that customers create and publish online - are probably among those that make baristas' days a little more difficult, so leave a little extra tip when you order your Smoked Butterscotch Latte.
On the other end of the spectrum are minimalist espresso-based drinks, like the flat white and the latte macchiato. These coffee-snob oriented options connect Starbucks to its roots - and, apparently, give baristas a beverage they love to brew.