The word "macchiato" has become a bit of a red flag for baristas because many people don't know the difference between a true macchiato and something more akin to a sweet latte.

This leaves it up to baristas to either preemptively clarify what kind of morning java folks are about to get or deal with their confusion afterward.

While Starbucks’ macchiato comes in a 12 to 20-ounce cup with vanilla syrup, milk, and caramel, real macchiatos come in a small glass with two ounces of espresso and a little milk.

Due to Starbucks’ departure from the actual beverage, customers ordering a macchiato has become a bit of a headache for baristas serving up espresso drinks at other coffee shops.

For a traditional macchiato, order it specifically as an "espresso macchiato" to convey you know the espresso-plus-just-a-spoonful-of-milk-foam style.