What is an almond latte?

[ShadowTiger]

If you went for a takeaway coffee and asked for an almond latte, what would you expect to get? Assuming both options are available.

YABU: Dairy latte with almond syrup
YANBU: Almond milk latte

I asked for almond milk latte and (because of the screen and mask) the barista just heard almond latte. So she made a dairy latte with almond syrup. After one mouthful I realised it was dairy but it was already too late.

Are you absolutely sure you asked for almond milk latte because your thread title just says almond latte? Which shows it’s quite easy to forget to explicitly say milk.

I would expect almond latte to be made with almond milk. That's what I order. I didn't realise this could be almond syrup.

I would order almond latte with Caramel syrup. Maybe having caramel syrup in mine stops confusion with almond syrup.

Q. What's a pirate's favourite nut?

A. Arrrrrr-mond

(Runs away)

That's irrelevant though as this is the accepted phrasing. In fact, it's the accepted phrasing for everything that's flavoured - almond biscuits, almond croissant...

If you want something made with almond milk you ask for it to be made with almond milk to be unambiguous.

I don't disagree with your second point, Soup. Although I do still think it was bad customer service to 'blame' the OP for the mistake and expect her to pay again.

Your first point: it being 'accepted phrasing' isn't the point. I was referring purely to the examples the poster gave, which are not real equivalents, which makes that specific argument void.

the best soy latte you ever had" means a soya milk latte wink so almond latte I'd say is almond milk
That’s what I thought. Soy latte, almond latte, hazelnut latte etc - would be the nut milk.

Almond latte i would assume normal latte with almond syrup.

Almond milk latte i would assume l latte with almond milk.

If i had to order a latte with no dairy i would explicitly ask for a latte with almond milk, non dairy.

Well there is no soy syrup that's why soy latte is ok

Did you ask for an almond milk latte. Or did you ask for an almond latte?
Former id expect a latte made with almond milk. Latter made with cows but almond flavouring.

It’s a fucking abomination, is what it is.

Just get a cup of coffee.

Personally I would say Latte with almond milk.

An almond latte is definitely almost flavour latte.

If Dairy is such a problem and there is a screen you should be clear in your instructions and I personally agree with the cafe.

@ShadowTiger

the best soy latte you ever had" means a soya milk latte wink so almond latte I'd say is almond milk That’s what I thought. Soy latte, almond latte, hazelnut latte etc - would be the nut milk.

Soy latte yes. Almond and hazelnut latte, nope. Those two have syrup and dairy milk.

Am I the only one ordering a collection of coffee syrup for their next delivery?

I really wish Starbucks would also stop delivering, these threads cost me a fortune!

Yes, to my shame I have just ordered almond syrup...

To me an almand latte woukd be almond syrup, similar to hazelnut, caramel, toffee latte etc.
If I wanted a certain milk used like almond or soya, I would of been explicit during ordering.

I’d already swallowed it before I realised. The store insisted I asked for almond latte (I didn’t, I asked for almond milk latte). But either way I’d expect almond milk unless I specifically asked for syrup. They expected me to queue and pay again because they said it was my fault.

This is terrible customer service! Was this an independent cafe or a chain?

I would assume if you just said ‘almond latte’ that you wanted a regular latte with almond syrup (like a caramel latte, gingerbread latte) but I’d check to make sure.

Latte made with almond milk

I always say 'with oat milk' to avoid any confusion.

I'd think latte made with almond milk, but the barista should have clarified.

@SoupDragon

To me, an "almond latte" is an ordinary latte with almond syrup and an "almond milk latte" is one made with almond milk.

Ditto

You need to be clear about dietary requirements.

If one orders a gingerbread latte, one doesn't expect it made with gingerbread milk(!)

Almond/hazelnut/whatever lattes (ie flavoured with syrup) have existed with that name for much longer than the alternative milk versions have been commonly available

If I couldn’t drink cows milk I would ask for a latte made with almond milk and check they understood. Yes the cafe has a responsibility to be careful with allergens but the customer needs to make sure their request is clear. In a noisy, busy cafe environment especially with screens and face masks now, if you have a serious allergy then it’s more important than ever to check your request is understood and fulfilled as requested. I would also check when collecting the drink is case the request was passed along incorrectly. Chinese whispers, so easy fir human error.

I'd expect an almond latte to be cows' milk plus almond syrup.

Almond 'milk' latte I'd expect to be almond juice latte (sorry, it's not milk).

If I ordered a gingerbread latte I wouldn't expect them to give me squeezed gingerbread, similarly a hazelnut latte I'd expect to be syrup.

I would assume a coffee with almond syrup.

But we don’t have to assume, you can specifically ask what it means in that particular shop.

“Is your almond latte” with almond milk or dairy with a shot?

Then you know for future.

Things mean different things to different people. It’s not to say you are wrong or the server was wrong - I would suggest they served you what the shop considers to be an almond latte.

I would always clarify if there was any possibility of it not being clear tbh. Lesson learned

@PMcGintysGoat

I'd expect an almond latte to be cows' milk plus almond syrup.

Almond 'milk' latte I'd expect to be almond juice latte (sorry, it's not milk).

If I ordered a gingerbread latte I wouldn't expect them to give me squeezed gingerbread, similarly a hazelnut latte I'd expect to be syrup.

Good point.

Where a coffee is flavoured it is usually in the title.
If you’re after a coffee with different milk you’d say X coffee with X milk please.

@ShadowTiger

the best soy latte you ever had" means a soya milk latte wink so almond latte I'd say is almond milk That’s what I thought. Soy latte, almond latte, hazelnut latte etc - would be the nut milk.

But soy isn't also a syrup.

They should check. But your insistence your right is a bit much. I always check and I just drink soy and I don't have an allergy. I think given the potential for confusion and you being the one who gets ill it really rests with you.