Coffee is not just coffee, and in Spain it can get even trickier.
If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee. – Abraham Lincoln
For most people, the first time ordering coffee at a Starbucks is difficult, but wait until you read this about the coffee culture in Spain.
The ‘Solo’ or ‘Espresso’
A short and intense Italian-style espresso coffee.
The ‘Café Doble’
Like a café solo but double the coffee power.
The ‘Café Con Leche’
Regular coffee with milk.
The ‘Cortado’
An espresso shot with milk, in a small glass.
The ‘Café Carajillo’
A shot of alcohol with a shot of coffee.
The ‘Cappuccino’
The espresso with hot milk, and steamed-milk foam.
The ‘Café Sombra’ or ‘Café Manchado’
A lot of milk with a dash of coffee.
The ‘Café Con Hielo’
An espresso with a glass of ice. Add the coffee and you have your café con hielo.
Café Perfumat (Barcelona)
This is a coffee with Anis, found in Barcelona.
The ‘Americano’
Big cup, lots of coffee.
The ‘Café Bombon’
The café Bombon comes with a shot of condensed milk.
The ‘Descafeinado’ (de ‘maquina’ o ‘sobre’)
Decaf coffee, either via the machine or from sachets.
The ‘Café Suizo’
Coffee topped with whipped cream.
To order any of the above in Spanish, simply say “¿Me pone… un [insert desired coffee] por favor?”
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