As most of us already know, a barista is someone who prepares and serves coffee drinks, usually espresso-based ones, and usually at a coffeehouse. These professionals not only make sure that the sleepy public has the caffeine they need to get their day moving.

Unfortunately, these professionals often do not get the respect they deserve on a regular basis, and they frequently are the target of some customers’ ire, which isn’t fair considering that they work really hard to keep us caffeinated.

That’s probably why the 1st of March was made into National Barista Day. This is a holiday that finally shows baristas the respect they deserve.

The History of National Barista Day

The word “barista” comes from the Italian word for “bartender.” It was usually used to refer to a coffeehouse employee, either male or female, who made espresso-based coffee drinks. History shows that the word “barista” was first used in Spanish and Italian in 1916 but didn’t really gain widespread use until the late 1930s in Europe.

It would remain a popular word in Europe for coffeehouse employees, but it didn’t begin to gain traction in the U.S. until the 1980s. Now, the word “barista” is used by people everywhere to refer to a person who is skilled at preparing coffee at a coffeehouse.

The Best Espresso-Based Coffee Drinks

We thought it would be fun if we took the time to list some of our favorite espresso-based drinks. After all, this is a holiday for baristas, so let’s list some of the drinks that we can have our baristas make on this day. So without further ado, let’s check out the following espresso-based coffee drinks that we absolutely love and think you might love, too.

• Flat White: Espresso, steamed milk, and a layer of foam on top.
• Mocha: Espresso with steamed milk and chocolate syrup.
• Breve: Equal parts espresso and half-and-half.
• Ristretto: A pulled espresso shot that’s pulled in 15-20 seconds instead of 25-30 seconds.

Observing National Barista Day

This is a holiday that everyone can observe. If they are regular patrons of a coffeehouse, then they can take the time to give their barista a nice big tip and let him or her know just how much they appreciate how they make their coffee.

People who don’t regularly get their coffee at a coffeehouse can still celebrate this holiday. They can do so by using the hashtag #NationalBaristaDay and spreading the word about this holiday. They can also learn how to be their own barista and make delicious espresso-based drinks at home.