Ordering a drink in English involves more than knowing its name. You may need to specify a size, ask for no ice or choose between still and sparkling water. This lesson teaches common drink words and the phrases that make an order clear.
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Everyday drink vocabulary
| Drink | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| water | The ordinary liquid people drink; describe the type if needed. | Could I have some water, please? |
| still water | Water without bubbles. | Still water, please, not sparkling. |
| sparkling water | Water containing bubbles of carbon dioxide. | Do you have sparkling water? |
| tap water | Water supplied from a tap. | Could we have a jug of tap water? |
| tea | A drink usually made by infusing tea leaves in hot water. | Would you like milk in your tea? |
| herbal tea | An infusion made from herbs or other plants. | I’d like a mint herbal tea. |
| coffee | A drink made from roasted coffee beans. | One black coffee, please. |
| hot chocolate | A hot drink containing cocoa or chocolate. | Is the hot chocolate made with milk? |
| milk | A dairy drink; specify an alternative when needed. | Could I have oat milk instead? |
| juice | Liquid extracted from fruit or vegetables. | We have orange juice and apple juice. |
| smoothie | A blended drink, often made with fruit and other ingredients. | What fruit is in the smoothie? |
| milkshake | A sweet milk-based drink, often blended with flavouring or ice cream. | She ordered a vanilla milkshake. |
| soft drink | A non-alcoholic drink, often used for fizzy drinks. | Which soft drinks do you serve? |
| lemonade | A lemon-flavoured drink; its style varies by country. | Is your lemonade fizzy or still? |
| beer | An alcoholic drink brewed from ingredients including grain. | They ordered two bottles of beer. |
| wine | An alcoholic drink usually made from grapes. | Is that wine sold by the glass? |
In British English, fizzy drink is common; in American English, you may hear soda or pop, depending on the region. British lemonade is often a clear fizzy drink, while American lemonade commonly refers to a still lemon drink. Ask about the actual drink when the name could be ambiguous.
Understand common coffee choices
An espresso is a small, concentrated coffee made under pressure. An Americano combines espresso with water, while a latte combines espresso with steamed milk. A cappuccino also contains milk, with a prominent layer of foam; exact recipes and sizes vary between cafés.
Decaf is short for decaffeinated, and iced means served cold, typically with ice. Black coffee means coffee without milk or cream. If you need information about ingredients, ask directly rather than relying on the drink’s name.
A cup, a glass, a bottle or a jug?
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| a cup of tea | Could I have a cup of tea? |
| a mug of hot chocolate | He held a mug of hot chocolate. |
| a glass of water | Please bring another glass of water. |
| a bottle of juice | There is a bottle of juice in the fridge. |
| a can of lemonade | Would you like a can of lemonade? |
| a jug of water | Could we have a jug of water for the table? |
Water, coffee and tea are usually uncountable when referring to the substance. In a café, “two coffees” is natural shorthand for two servings or cups. Compare “How much coffee is left?” with “How many coffees did they order?”
Make and adjust an order
Customer: Could I have a small latte to take away, please?
Barista: Certainly. Would you like anything else?
Customer: A bottle of still water, please.
Barista: Would you like the latte with regular milk?
Customer: Oat milk, if you have it.
Barista: Yes, we do.
To take away is common in Britain, while to go is common in the United States. For here means you plan to stay in the café. Useful adjustments include “without sugar,” “no ice, please” and “could you make that a large one?”
Describe flavour without confusing the words
A sweet drink has a sugar-like taste; a bitter drink has a sharp taste associated with some coffees and other drinks. Strong can describe an intense flavour, so it does not always mean alcoholic. Dry, when describing wine, generally means not sweet rather than lacking liquid.
Practice
Try the questions before reading the answers. Use the sentence or situation to explain your choice.
- Choose: I’d like a glass of / a glass water.
- Which has bubbles: still water or sparkling water?
- Does “two teas” normally mean two tea plants in a café order?
- What does “to go” mean when ordering?
- Complete: How ______ cups do we need?
- Ask politely for a coffee without sugar.
Answers and explanations
| Question | Answer and explanation |
|---|---|
| 1 | A glass of water. Use of between the container and its contents. |
| 2 | Sparkling water. Still water is not carbonated. |
| 3 | No. It normally means two servings of tea. |
| 4 | To take away. The customer plans to leave with it. |
| 5 | Many, because cups is countable. |
| 6 | Could I have a coffee without sugar, please? The drink and adjustment are both clear. |
For another food-related lesson, practise fruit names and descriptions. Create a three-line order containing a drink, a size or container, and one preference.
