Barista Pathway Series Part 3 - Milk Texture, Latte Art, and Drink Assembly
Hands-on milk steaming, and café drink building—learn menu standards, workflow, and mock service to create espresso drinks with confidence.
Contact us for details on how to claim your spot in the Barista Pathway series.
Milk Texturing, Latte Art & Drink Assembly Workshop
Part 3 of the Sip Society Barista Pathway Series
This hands-on workshop bridges the gap between pulling great espresso and confidently producing complete café-quality drinks in a service-style environment. Participants will learn how to steam milk properly, pour basic latte art, understand café menus, and assemble espresso-based beverages efficiently—all while maintaining workflow, cleanliness, and espresso quality behind the bar.
This session is ideal for aspiring baristas & working baristas who want real-world practice making drinks from start to finish.
What You’ll Learn & Practice
☕ Café Menu Knowledge & Drink Building
Develop a clear understanding of common café drinks by ratio, appearance, and taste, including: latte, cappuccino, flat white, cortado, americano, etc.
You’ll learn what actually differentiates these drinks—and how to build them consistently behind the bar.
🥛 Milk Steaming Fundamentals
Master the foundations of great milk texture:
- Proper milk pitcher selection and fill levels
- Controlling milk texture and temperature for different drinks
🎨 Latte Art Basics
Learn the fundamentals of pouring with intention:
- Milk integration and texture control
- Introduction to latte art (heart and rosetta)
⚙️ Espresso-Based Drink Assembly
Put it all together by making café classics from start to finish:
- Coordinating espresso extraction and milk steaming
- Making grind adjustments on the fly
🚀 Bar Workflow, Efficiency & Cleanliness
Practice working behind the bar like a professional:
- Efficient drink-building workflow
- Managing multiple steps without rushing
😎 Mock Service Experience
Participants will complete mock café service scenarios, preparing drinks under light pressure while maintaining quality, communication, and cleanliness.
Certificate & Professional Development
Upon completion, participants receive:
- Certificate of Completion
- Practical evaluation form with instructor notes
Graduates also gain real-world experience working with Sip Society with opportunities to:
- Assist in future workshops alongside seasoned industry professionals
- Build experience toward full-time café work
- Access industry resources and café job connections
- Participate in future projects
Check out our pathway here: https://sipsociety.square.site/chicago-barista-pathway
Good to know
Highlights
- all ages
- In person
- Free parking
Refund Policy
Location
Sip Society Coffee Education Center
1806 West Cuyler Avenue
Suite 116 Chicago, IL 60613
How do you want to get there?
Agenda
Café Menu, Milk Texturing & Foundations
Participants begin by breaking down common café drinks by ratio, appearance, and taste. This section focuses on milk steaming fundamentals—proper pitcher use, microfoam texture, temperature control, and steam wand hygiene—building the foundation for consistent, high-quality espresso-based drinks.
Latte Art & Drink Assembly
With milk texture dialed in, participants move into basic pouring techniques and simple latte art (heart and rosetta). We then combine espresso and milk into complete café classics, practicing timing, balance, and on-the-fly adjustments while maintaining espresso quality.
Bar Workflow, Mock Service & Professional Habits
The workshop concludes with service-style practice, emphasizing efficient bar flow, cleanliness, drink identification, and communication. Participants prepare drinks under light pressure, reinforcing habits expected in real café environments and building confidence behind the bar.