Common Coffee Shop Menu Terms in English Explained

When you walk into a coffee shop abroad and scan the menu, terms like 'Iced Mochaccino' or 'CafeLatte' might look familiar—but are you sure you know exactly what you’re ordering? For coffee lovers navigating international menus, understanding the correct English terms for common drinks is essential. This guide clarifies the standard English names for a wide range of coffee beverages, especially those often seen on Chinese café menus.

In short, an Iced Coffee is simply 'Iced Coffee', a CafeLatte is 'Cafe Latte', an Americano is 'Cafe Americano', and an Espresso is just 'Espresso'. There are also drinks like 'Iced Mochaccino', 'Decaffeinated Coffee', and flavoured options such as 'Chocolate Coffee' or 'Iced Mango Americano'—all with widely accepted English translations used in cafés around the world.

Basic Espresso-Based Coffee Drinks in English

These are the foundational espresso drinks you’ll find on nearly every coffee shop menu worldwide:

• Espresso: Simply called 'Espresso'. A small, concentrated shot brewed under pressure.
• Cafe Americano: 'Cafe Americano'. Hot water added to espresso for a milder cup.
• Cafe Latte: 'Cafe Latte'. Espresso with steamed milk and a small amount of foam.
• Cappuccino: 'Cappuccino'. Equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam.
• Espresso Con Panna: 'Espresso Con Panna'. Espresso topped with whipped cream.
• Espresso Macchiato: 'Espresso Macchiato'. Espresso 'marked' with a small amount of milk or foam.

Iced and Cold Coffee Varieties

Chilled coffee drinks follow similar naming rules, with 'Iced' placed at the start:

• Iced Coffee: 'Iced Coffee'. Coffee served over ice.
• Iced Espresso: 'Iced Espresso'. Chilled espresso shot.
• Iced Cafe Latte: 'Iced Cafe Latte'. Latte served cold over ice.
• Iced Cafe Americano: 'Iced Cafe Americano'. Iced version of the Americano.
• Iced Mochaccino: 'Iced Mochaccino'. Iced mocha-style drink with chocolate.
• Iced French Coffee: 'Iced French Coffee'. Iced version of the French drip style.
• Iced Swiss Coffee: 'Iced Swiss Coffee'. Typically a cold milk-based coffee mix.
• Iced Vanilla Cappuccino: 'Vanilla Cappuccino' served over ice.
• Iced Chocolate Coffee: 'Iced Chocolate Coffee'. Chocolate-flavoured iced coffee.
• Iced Mint Coffee: 'Iced Mint Coffee'. Mint-flavoured iced coffee.
• Iced Fruit Coffee: 'Iced Fruit Coffee'. Coffee blended or mixed with fruit flavours.
• Floating Iced Coffee (Coffee Float): 'Iced Coffee Float'. Coffee with a float of cream or milk on top.

Flavoured, Regional, and Specialty Coffee Names

Many cafés offer flavoured or regionally inspired coffees. These often have creative or descriptive English names:

• Decaffeinated Coffee: 'Decaffeinated Coffee'. Caffeine-free coffee.
• Special Coffee (Mandheling & Brazilian): 'Special Coffee (Mandheling and Brazilian Coffee)'. A blend or single origin highlighting Mandheling and Brazilian beans.
• Brazil Coffee: 'Brazil Coffee'. Coffee from Brazil, often a medium roast.
• Royal Coffee: 'Royal Coffee'. A term sometimes used for premium or flavoured blends.
• Cointreau Coffee: 'Cointreau Coffee'. Coffee with Cointreau liqueur.
• Irish Coffee: 'Irish Coffee'. Coffee with Irish whiskey, sugar, and cream.
• Ginger Juice Coffee: 'Ginger Juice Coffee'. Coffee with ginger juice.
• Charcoal Coffee: 'Charcoal Coffee'. Coffee made with charcoal-roasted beans or charcoal-infused.
• Saronno Coffee: 'Saronno Coffee'. Likely flavoured with almond or amaretto notes.
• Coconut Coffee: 'Coconut Coffee'. Coffee with coconut flavour or milk.
• French Vanilla Coffee: 'French Vanilla Coffee'. Vanilla-flavoured coffee, often syrup-based.
• Chocolate Ice Coffee: 'Iced Chocolate Coffee'. A cold chocolate coffee drink.
• Rose Lady Coffee: 'Rose Lady Coffee'. Possibly a floral-flavoured coffee.
• Tres Rios Coffee: 'Tres Rios Coffee'. Coffee from the Tres Ríos region of Costa Rica.
• Mexican Ice Coffee: 'Iced Mexican Coffee'. Likely spiced or flavoured in a Mexican style.
• Italian Foam Coffee (Cappuccino): 'Cappuccino'. Already listed above, but emphasising its foam.
• Italian Coffee: 'Italian Coffee'. Often refers to espresso or Italian-style preparation.
• French Coffee: 'French Coffee'. Could mean French press or French drip style.
• French Drip Coffee: 'French Coffee'. Drip-style coffee associated with French tradition.
• Pineapple Americano: 'Iced Pineapple Americano'. Americano with pineapple flavour.
• Banana Americano: 'Iced Banana Americano'. Americano with banana flavour.
• Manuka or Flavoured Lactose Drinks (not in source but related): Not mentioned, but similar flavoured milks exist.

Single Origin and Regional Beans Mentioned

The original article also references specific coffee-growing regions and types, often used in specialty shops:

• Brazil Coffee: 'Brazil Coffee' — commonly a medium roast, nutty profile.
• Mandheling: 'Mandheling' — often full-bodied and smooth, from Indonesia.
• Tarrazu Coffee: 'Tarrazu Coffee' — high-altitude coffee from Costa Rica, bright acidity.
• Hawaiian Kona Coffee: 'Hawaiian Kona Coffee' — premium single-origin from Hawaii, known for balanced flavour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct English term for ?

The correct English term is 'Cafe Americano'. It refers to espresso diluted with hot water, resulting in a lighter-bodied, milder coffee compared to a straight espresso shot. It’s one of the most widely ordered coffee drinks internationally.

How do you order an iced latte in English?

You should ask for an 'Iced Cafe Latte'. This is a latte—espresso with steamed milk—served over ice. Some cafés may serve it with cold milk, while others might pour hot milk over ice; it's okay to specify your preference.

What is the difference between an Espresso Macchiato and a Latte Macchiato?

An Espresso Macchiato ('Espresso Macchiato') is an espresso 'stained' with a small amount of milk or foam, keeping it mostly espresso. A Latte Macchiato (not listed here) is steamed milk 'stained' with a shot of espresso. The order of ingredients is reversed, and the emphasis is on milk.

Is there a standard English name for ?

Yes, '' is translated as 'Special Coffee (Mandheling and Brazilian Coffee)'. It typically refers to a blend or featured offering that highlights beans from Mandheling (Indonesia) and Brazil, often valued for their balance and body.

What does mean in English?

It translates as 'French Coffee' or more accurately as 'French Drip Coffee'. This usually refers to coffee brewed by the drip or filter method associated with traditional French preparation, often using a French press or cone dripper.

What is in English menu terms?

It is called 'Iced Espresso'. This is a standard espresso shot served over ice, often used as a base for iced lattes or enjoyed on its own for a strong, cooled coffee experience.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Iced and Flavoured Coffee

For iced and flavoured coffee drinks, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Hawaiian Kona Coffee for a naturally sweet and balanced single origin, or Tarrazu Coffee from Costa Rica for its bright acidity and fruity notes—both excellent over ice. For a deeper, smooth base, their Brazilian-origin beans (referenced as Brazil Coffee in the article) bring body and chocolatey tones, ideal for milk drinks like Iced Cafe Latte or Iced Mochaccino. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.