Ever walk into a coffee shop, glance at the menu, and feel like you need a translator? We get it. Between cortados, nitros, and matchas, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I mean—what is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?! That’s why we created this simple guide to help you navigate your next coffee order like a pro.

Espresso-Based Drinks — Let’s Break It Down

Most café classics start with a double shot of espresso. (Fun fact: Outside the U.S., a single shot is more common—but in the states, we like our big cups.) The real difference between drinks usually comes down to how much milk or foam is added:

• Cortado – Equal parts espresso and milk. Small, strong, and silky. Great if you want to taste the espresso.
• Cappuccino – More milk than a cortado, but less than a latte. Expect a fluffy milk texture and about ½” of foam on top.
• Latte – The smoothest of the bunch. More milk, less foam. Creamy and perfect for those beautiful milk designs (lookin’ at you, Seahorse Sam).
• Americano – Espresso plus hot water. Bold and flavorful. A great way to enjoy “black coffee” when your favorite drip coffee is not available. (We see some cafés leaning toward Americanos instead of batch brew options.)

Not Into Espresso? You’ve Got Options

• Pour Over – Hand-brewed using a kettle and filter. Great for tasting special roasts with clean clarity. Be prepared to wait, it will take at least an extra 5-8 minutes to make.
• Drip – Classic batch-brewed, pot-o-coffee style. When dialed in right, it’s incredibly satisfying.
• Cold Brew – Steeped at room temp for 12–24 hours (we do 18). Smooth, bold, and served cold. Higher caffeine due to its strong ratio of coffee to water.
• Iced Coffee-This should NOT be a use for old hot coffee. The proper way to make this drink is to brew the coffee hot and immediately chill it. Then add ice and serve.
• Nitro – Cold brew infused with nitrogen. Creamy, fizzy, and often served without ice. Typically the highest caffeine option on the menu and since the brew recipe has a bit more coffee to water ratio than cold brew.

Tea Lovers, We’ve Got You Too

• Chai – Spiced black tea with milk. Cozy, lightly sweet, and warming.
• Matcha – Finely ground green tea mixed with milk. Earthy, energizing, and antioxidant-rich.

Pick Your Milk, Pick Your Flavor

Whether you’re dairy-free, plant-based, or just particular, you’ve got choices. In fact, 60% of what we serve is non-dairy!

• Milks: Whole, Half & Half, Nonfat, Macadamia, Oat, the list goes on…
• Flavors: Made with simple syrups (we use locally made Pono Potions). Our default is 2 pumps—let us know if you want more or less sweet!

Pro Tip

Yes—we can make almost anything iced! Don’t see your drink on the menu? Ask us. For example, we don’t list a Flat White, but we’re happy to make one (Aussie standards and all).

Still Not Sure?

That’s what we’re here for. Our baristas are great at guiding you toward your perfect cup. We love curious customers—it’s how the best coffee conversations start. At Tradition, we’re all about sharing what we know in a way that’s approachable, thoughtful, and always fun. Never pretentious—just genuinely excited to talk coffee