What I love as a barista

literallyjustagirl
Aug 25
2 min read

🌸☕ My Go-To Drinks & At-Home Barista Life ☕🌸

Hi loves! 💕 If there’s one thing I’ll never get tired of, it’s coffee. It’s truly part of my daily routine (and my love language). Over the years—both working as a barista and now experimenting at home—I’ve built up a little list of go-to drinks that keep me cozy all year long. ✨

✨ Lattes vs. Cortados ✨

I adore both, but they’re so different in personality.💖 A latte is my comfort drink—it’s smooth, creamy, and feels like a hug in a cup. Espresso + lots of steamed milk + a light layer of foam = dreamy perfection.💖 A cortado is smaller and bolder. It’s equal parts espresso and steamed milk, so the rich espresso flavor really shines through. Think of it as the chic, no-nonsense sister of the latte.

🥛 Why I Love Whole Milk 🥛

I know a lot of people go for oat, almond, or low-fat milk, but I’m a whole milk girl through and through. Not only does it taste creamier and make the silkiest foam for lattes, but it’s also gentler on your blood sugar levels. 🌿 Whole milk has more healthy fats, which slow down the absorption of natural milk sugars—meaning fewer spikes and crashes. It’s richer, smoother, and honestly just makes coffee taste luxurious. ✨☕

🌞 Summer Favorites: Iced Americanos & Cold Brew 🌞

When the weather warms up, I crave something iced!💎 An iced Americano is espresso poured over cold water and ice. It’s clean, light, and so refreshing.💎 Cold brew is where the magic happens, though. Because it’s brewed sloooowly in cold water (12–24 hours!), it naturally pulls out sweeter, chocolatey flavors while leaving behind a lot of the acidity. That’s why cold brew tastes smoother and richer than regular iced coffee—it’s basically a summer essential. 🌿✨

💻 My At-Home Setup 💻

I’ve been using a Breville espresso machine at home, and even though I worked as a barista for years, there’s still a learning curve. Grinding, tamping, steaming milk—it takes practice to get café-level drinks at home. But once you nail it, it’s sooo satisfying. 🥰 Honestly, coffee feels less like a routine and more like a little craft project every morning.

☕✨ Barista Tip Box ✨☕Want that dreamy, silky latte foam at home? 💖

👉 Start with cold whole milk straight from the fridge.

👉 Submerge your steam wand just below the surface and listen for a gentle “hiss” (not a loud splatter!).

👉 Once it warms up, tilt your pitcher slightly to create a whirlpool effect—it incorporates air evenly and gives you that glossy, microfoam texture. ✨Perfect for latte art hearts or just making your mornings feel extra luxe! 🌸