What Starbucks Baristas Wish You Knew About Ordering Viral Drinks originally appeared on Parade.
We’ve all seen the videos. TikTok is basically a hub for fast food hacks and beverage tips and tricks—which can be wonderfully exciting for customers, but, at times, more of a hardship for employees. Starbucks baristas took to Reddit to unveil one of the biggest job stressors they wished consumers would be more aware of.
If you see a drink on TikTok that you’re itching to try, be mindful that it may be a complicated task. The thread begins with, “If you’re gonna order a TikTok drink, at LEAST come prepared.”
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The barista continued, “I don’t want to, nor can I, listen to your phone at full volume on the other side of the counter as you play the TikTok over and over again. I can’t put in the 36 modifications after one listen with the lobby and espresso machine noises.”
Therefore, baristas are asking that you write down the ingredients or memorize them ahead of time. Some of the most viral drinks on social media right now include the Cookies & Cream Cold Brew, Purple New York Cheesecake Frappucino, and an insurmountable number of individual coffee orders that are posted daily. Especially with the Fall coming up, and Starbucks being known for its pumpkin-inspired beverages, this is certainly the time to make your local barista’s life a little easier.
“Ugh…” another commenter added. “I also hate when they put the phone in your face without saying a single word.”
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A third social media user wrote, “That’s when I hit him with the ‘Uh oh! I’ll let YOU figure out what YOU want and what modifications YOU need from YOUR TikTok, and then when YOU’RE ready, I’ll take the order!! 😁😁 take your time! 🥰🥰'”
Apparently, artificial intelligence recipes are also taking a hold of baristas’ time.
“Had someone show me an AI pic of an orange red swirl slushie drink with big chunks of mango on top in a Starbucks cup,” one commenter said in the thread. “We are at a new level with AI also.”
Another barista agreed, writing that a customer “got [upset] with them yesterday because she wanted a ‘strawberry shortcake’ frappuccino.”
Starbucks has implemented big changes this year. The coffee chain brought back handwriting on cups, a more relaxed free refills policy, a renewed mobile order system, and a downsized menu (which may ease the amount of secret menu items, add-ins, and TikTok drinks that are available).
Even with baristas’ pleas to organize your order before heading to the cashier, there are many Starbucks employees who enjoy using TikTok as a way to explore new drink options. This gorgeously pink Barbie Drink, for example, is the latest to catch customer’s eyes. Consumers also recently spotted the return of the nostalgic Cotton Candy Frappucino.
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What Starbucks Baristas Wish You Knew About Ordering Viral Drinks first appeared on Parade on Aug 8, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
