How to Memorize Drinks as a Barista: 7 Simple Tips & Tricks!
Do you ever get overwhelmed when faced with the drink menu as a barista? It can be tough to remember all of the different drinks and their variations.
In this article, we will provide simple tips and tricks that will help you memorize drinks like a pro!
By following these tips, you’ll be able to quickly recall the ingredients and preparation methods for any drink on the menu. Let’s get started!
How to Memorize Drinks as A Barista
To memorize drinks as a barista, you can follow these 7 simple tips and tricks:
- Create a mental image of the drink
- Write down the order
- Break the drink down into steps
- Use mnemonic devices
- Repeat the order out loud
- Create a cheat sheet
- Practice making the drink at home
As a barista, you are often required to memorize a long list of drink orders. This can be challenging, especially during busy times when you are bombarded with multiple orders at once.
However, there are a few simple techniques that you can use to help memorize drink orders more effectively:
Create a Mental Image of The Drink
Creating a mental image of the drink can help you remember the ingredients and preparation methods. For example, if you are trying to memorize a frappuccino, you can picture the coffee, milk, ice, and caramel syrup all coming together in the blender.
Write Down the Order
Writing down the order can also be helpful and is probably the easiest method, especially if you are new to memorizing drinks. You can simply write down the drink order on a piece of paper and refer to it when needed until you get the hang of making the drink.
Break the Drink Down Into Steps
Break drinks down into smaller parts and recite the steps in your head as you prepare the drink. For example, if you’re making a latte, memorize the steps for creating a latte one step at a time.
Think of this just like recipes! Recipes are just a series of steps to follow.
Use Mnemonic Devices
Mnemonic devices are techniques that help you remember information by associating it with something else that is easier to remember. For example, you can associate a cappuccino with the word “cat” because they both start with the letter “c.”
Repeat the Order out Loud
Repeating the drink order out loud can also be helpful in ensuring that you remember everything correctly. You can even practice saying the order in your head before you start making the drink.
Create a Cheat Sheet
Make a list of all of the drinks you need to memorize, including their ingredients and preparation methods. This will help you keep track of what you need to know. This is great for complicated drinks or drinks that you don’t make often.
Practice Making the Drink at Home
By doing this you can execute it quickly and efficiently when an order comes in. You can practice making drinks and even try creating drinks with two shots or three shots to learn the difference.
You can make these and give them away as free drinks to friends and colleagues to help you practice.
Do Baristas Have to Memorize Drinks?
While every barista needs to know how to make the basic drinks – such as coffee, espresso, and tea – they don’t necessarily need to memorize every single variation.
Instead, most coffee shops use a drink menu that lists all of the available options. This way, baristas can simply refer to the menu when making each drink.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that baristas don’t need to be knowledgeable about the drinks they’re making!
In addition to knowing how to make each drink, they also need to be familiar with the different ingredients and how they affect the taste of the final product.
With this knowledge, they can make adjustments to the recipe as needed and ensure that each drink is made to perfection.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Starbucks Drinks?
There’s no denying that Starbucks has become a coffee giant. With over 30,000 locations worldwide, it’s one of the most popular coffee chains with many Starbucks employees.
What many people don’t realize is that working at Starbucks is not as easy as it seems. Starbucks baristas undergo extensive training to learn all of the company’s drinks.
Baristas have to be able to make hundreds of different drinks, and they have to do it quickly and efficiently. So, how long does it take to learn all of Starbucks’ drinks? The answer is: it depends.
Some drinks are simpler than others, and some baristas are more experienced than others. However, on average, it takes about 3 weeks in Starbucks training for a new barista to learn all of the Starbucks drinks.
This includes both signature drinks and seasonal beverages. Of course, this is just an average – some baristas will learn faster, and some will learn slower.
Remember that both hot drinks and cold drinks need to be memorized, as well as all of the different variations (such as frappuccinos, iced coffees, etc.).
You will also need to remember how many shots and all the different flavors.
But regardless of how long it takes, there’s no doubt that learning all of those drinks is a daunting task. Don’t worry – once you’ve memorized all the drinks, it’ll be a breeze!
Benefits of Memorizing Drinks Like a Barista
As a barista, there are many benefits to memorizing drinks. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it saves time.
When you can quickly recall a drink order, you can get the customer their drink faster and keep the line moving. This is especially important during busy times.
In addition, memorizing drinks helps to build your reputation as a knowledgeable and competent barista. Customers are more likely to return to a cafe where they receive prompt, efficient service.
And, if they know that you remember their favorite drink, they’ll be even more impressed and could leave a great tip!
Finally, knowing drinks by memory can help you to upsell customers. If you know that a customer likes a particular type of drink, you can suggest add-ons or upgrades that they might enjoy.
Memorizing drinks takes time and a lot of effort, but it’s definitely worth it for baristas who want to provide excellent service and boost their bottom line.
Final Thoughts
To fully memorize drinks can be a daunting job, but with a little practice and the right techniques, you can make it an easy process.
Do not be afraid to ask your shift supervisors for any tips they might have, and take advantage of online resources such as barista training.
An online barista trainer course can help you not only memorize drinks quickly but also give you the skills and confidence you need to be a great barista.
Memorizing drinks is a necessary skill for any barista. By following these simple tips and tricks, you can make memorizing drinks easy and even fun! And don’t forget – practice makes perfect.
