Traditional Chinese Drinks & Verbs: 130+ Coffee & Cocktail Words

Here’s a huge, practical list of Traditional Chinese (繁體中文) drink words and the verbs that go with them.

Every item comes with Hanzi + pinyin (tone marks) + meaning, plus a real-life example sentence you can steal at cafés, bars, and bubble tea shops.

Yak Snark 🦬

If you say “給我一個咖啡” (“give me a coffee”) people will still understand… but you’ll sound like a robot ordering furniture. Let’s make you sound like a human.

1) The “Order-Right-Now” Cards

These are the high-utility basics you’ll use constantly. Tap the audio button to hear the Hanzi (Taiwan Mandarin).

咖啡

kāfēi

coffee

我想喝咖啡。

Wǒ xiǎng hē kāfēi.

I want to drink coffee.

水

shuǐ

water

可以給我一杯水嗎？

Kěyǐ gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ ma?

Can you give me a cup of water?

果汁

guǒzhī

juice

我想要一杯果汁。

Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi guǒzhī.

I’d like a cup of juice.

珍珠奶茶

zhēnzhū nǎichá

bubble milk tea

我要一杯珍珠奶茶，微糖少冰。

Wǒ yào yì bēi zhēnzhū nǎichá, wēi táng shǎo bīng.

I want a bubble milk tea, lightly sweet, less ice.

啤酒

píjiǔ

beer

我想點一杯啤酒。

Wǒ xiǎng diǎn yì bēi píjiǔ.

I want to order a beer.

雞尾酒

jīwěijiǔ

cocktail

今晚來一杯雞尾酒吧。

Jīnwǎn lái yì bēi jīwěijiǔ ba.

Let’s have a cocktail tonight.

喝

hē

to drink

你要喝什麼？

Nǐ yào hē shénme?

What do you want to drink?

點

diǎn

to order

我先點飲料。

Wǒ xiān diǎn yǐnliào.

I’ll order drinks first.

1.01) Real ordering phrases (copy-paste your mouth)

These are the phrases that make menus instantly less scary.

我要一杯美式咖啡。

Wǒ yào yì bēi Měishì kāfēi.

I’d like an Americano.

麻煩不要加糖。

Máfan bú yào jiā táng.

Please don’t add sugar.

可以少冰嗎？

Kěyǐ shǎo bīng ma?

Can you do less ice?

我想要無糖。

Wǒ xiǎng yào wú táng.

I’d like it unsweetened.

這杯要外帶。

Zhè bēi yào wàidài.

This one is to go.

我們內用。

Wǒmen nèiyòng.

We’re dining in.

可以續杯嗎？

Kěyǐ xùbēi ma?

Can I get a refill?

先給我水，謝謝。

Xiān gěi wǒ shuǐ, xièxie.

Water first, thanks.

這個有酒精嗎？

Zhège yǒu jiǔjīng ma?

Does this have alcohol?

我不喝酒。

Wǒ bù hē jiǔ.

I don’t drink alcohol.

來一杯雞尾酒吧。

Lái yì bēi jīwěijiǔ ba.

Let’s get a cocktail.

幫我調淡一點。

Bāng wǒ tiáo dàn yìdiǎn.

Make it a bit lighter for me.

幫我加一份檸檬。

Bāng wǒ jiā yí fèn níngméng.

Add a portion of lemon for me.

乾杯！

Gānbēi!

Cheers!

我們買單。

Wǒmen mǎidān.

We’ll pay the bill.

可以刷卡嗎？

Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?

Can I pay by card?

Quick Taiwan tip (because bubble tea is a lifestyle)

一杯 (yì bēi) is “one cup/drink.” Then you tack on preferences: 少冰 (shǎo bīng, less ice), 微糖 (wēi táng, lightly sweet), 無糖 (wú táng, no sugar). Easy. Dangerous. Delicious.

2) The huge drink list (with verbs)

Grouped so your brain doesn’t melt faster than your ice.

Coffee & café drinks

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
濃縮咖啡	nóngsuō kāfēi	espresso	我想要一杯濃縮咖啡。 Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi nóngsuō kāfēi.	I’d like an espresso.
美式咖啡	Měishì kāfēi	Americano	美式咖啡可以做冰的嗎？ Měishì kāfēi kěyǐ zuò bīng de ma?	Can you make the Americano iced?
拿鐵	nǎtiě	latte	我點一杯拿鐵，謝謝。 Wǒ diǎn yì bēi nǎtiě, xièxie.	I’ll order a latte, thanks.
卡布奇諾	kǎbùqínuò	cappuccino	這杯卡布奇諾奶泡很多。 Zhè bēi kǎbùqínuò nǎipào hěn duō.	This cappuccino has a lot of foam.
摩卡	mókǎ	mocha	我想喝摩卡，不要太甜。 Wǒ xiǎng hē mókǎ, bú yào tài tián.	I want a mocha, not too sweet.
瑪奇朵	mǎqíduǒ	macchiato	瑪奇朵比較小杯。 Mǎqíduǒ bǐjiào xiǎo bēi.	A macchiato is usually a smaller cup.
平白咖啡	píngbái kāfēi	flat white	我第一次喝平白咖啡。 Wǒ dì-yī cì hē píngbái kāfēi.	It’s my first time trying a flat white.
冷萃咖啡	lěngcuì kāfēi	cold brew	冷萃咖啡比較順口。 Lěngcuì kāfēi bǐjiào shùnkǒu.	Cold brew is smoother to drink.
冰拿鐵	bīng nǎtiě	iced latte	天氣好熱，我要冰拿鐵。 Tiānqì hǎo rè, wǒ yào bīng nǎtiě.	It’s so hot—I want an iced latte.
手沖咖啡	shǒuchōng kāfēi	pour-over coffee	這家店的手沖咖啡很香。 Zhè jiā diàn de shǒuchōng kāfēi hěn xiāng.	This shop’s pour-over coffee smells amazing.
滴漏咖啡	dīlòu kāfēi	drip coffee	我早上都喝滴漏咖啡。 Wǒ zǎoshang dōu hē dīlòu kāfēi.	I drink drip coffee every morning.
即溶咖啡	jíróng kāfēi	instant coffee	旅行時我會帶即溶咖啡。 Lǚxíng shí wǒ huì dài jíróng kāfēi.	When traveling, I bring instant coffee.
無咖啡因	wú kāfēiyīn	decaf (no caffeine)	晚上我只喝無咖啡因。 Wǎnshang wǒ zhǐ hē wú kāfēiyīn.	At night I only drink decaf.
單品咖啡	dānpǐn kāfēi	single-origin coffee	你喜歡哪一種單品咖啡？ Nǐ xǐhuan nǎ yì zhǒng dānpǐn kāfēi?	Which single-origin coffee do you like?
淺焙	qiǎnbèi	light roast	我想試試淺焙的豆子。 Wǒ xiǎng shìshi qiǎnbèi de dòuzi.	I want to try light-roast beans.
深焙	shēnbèi	dark roast	深焙喝起來比較苦。 Shēnbèi hē qǐlái bǐjiào kǔ.	Dark roast tastes more bitter.
奶泡	nǎipào	milk foam	我想要奶泡多一點。 Wǒ xiǎng yào nǎipào duō yìdiǎn.	I want more milk foam.
黑糖	hēitáng	brown sugar	黑糖拿鐵很受歡迎。 Hēitáng nǎtiě hěn shòu huānyíng.	Brown sugar latte is really popular.
咖啡豆	kāfēi dòu	coffee beans	我想買一包咖啡豆。 Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì bāo kāfēi dòu.	I want to buy a bag of coffee beans.
咖啡因	kāfēiyīn	caffeine	這杯咖啡因很高。 Zhè bēi kāfēiyīn hěn gāo.	This cup is high in caffeine.

Tea, milk tea & Taiwan classics

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
紅茶	hóngchá	black tea	我想要一杯紅茶。 Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi hóngchá.	I’d like a black tea.
綠茶	lǜchá	green tea	綠茶可以做無糖嗎？ Lǜchá kěyǐ zuò wú táng ma?	Can the green tea be unsweetened?
烏龍茶	wūlóngchá	oolong tea	我喜歡烏龍茶的香氣。 Wǒ xǐhuan wūlóngchá de xiāngqì.	I like the aroma of oolong tea.
普洱茶	pǔ’ěr chá	pu-erh tea	這壺普洱茶很順。 Zhè hú pǔ’ěr chá hěn shùn.	This pot of pu-erh tea is very smooth.
茉莉花茶	mòlìhuā chá	jasmine tea	茉莉花茶聞起來很香。 Mòlìhuā chá wén qǐlái hěn xiāng.	Jasmine tea smells wonderful.
抹茶	mòchá	matcha	我今天想喝抹茶。 Wǒ jīntiān xiǎng hē mòchá.	I want matcha today.
奶蓋茶	nǎigài chá	cheese/cream cap tea	奶蓋茶上面那層很濃。 Nǎigài chá shàngmiàn nà céng hěn nóng.	The topping on cream-cap tea is very rich.
檸檬茶	níngméng chá	lemon tea	檸檬茶酸酸的，很解渴。 Níngméng chá suān suān de, hěn jiěkě.	Lemon tea is tangy and very thirst-quenching.
蜂蜜檸檬	fēngmì níngméng	honey lemon drink	我喉嚨不舒服，想喝蜂蜜檸檬。 Wǒ hóulóng bù shūfu, xiǎng hē fēngmì níngméng.	My throat feels off, so I want honey lemon.
冬瓜茶	dōngguā chá	winter melon tea	冬瓜茶是台灣很常見的飲料。 Dōngguā chá shì Táiwān hěn chángjiàn de yǐnliào.	Winter melon tea is a very common drink in Taiwan.
青草茶	qīngcǎo chá	herbal tea (cooling tea)	太熱的時候我會喝青草茶。 Tài rè de shíhou wǒ huì hē qīngcǎo chá.	When it’s too hot, I drink herbal tea.
仙草茶	xiāncǎo chá	grass jelly tea	仙草茶可以加奶嗎？ Xiāncǎo chá kěyǐ jiā nǎi ma?	Can grass jelly tea be made with milk?
桂花茶	guìhuā chá	osmanthus tea	桂花茶香甜不膩。 Guìhuā chá xiāngtián bú nì.	Osmanthus tea is fragrant and sweet (not heavy).
薑茶	jiāngchá	ginger tea	天冷的時候喝薑茶很舒服。 Tiān lěng de shíhou hē jiāngchá hěn shūfu.	Ginger tea is comforting when it’s cold.
熱飲	rèyǐn	hot drink	我想要熱飲，不要冰的。 Wǒ xiǎng yào rèyǐn, bú yào bīng de.	I want a hot drink, not an iced one.
冰飲	bīngyǐn	iced drink	夏天我幾乎都點冰飲。 Xiàtiān wǒ jīhū dōu diǎn bīngyǐn.	In summer I order iced drinks almost every time.

Cocktails & spirits

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
調酒	tiáojiǔ	mixed drink / cocktail (general)	這家酒吧的調酒很有名。 Zhè jiā jiǔbā de tiáojiǔ hěn yǒumíng.	This bar is famous for its cocktails.
無酒精調酒	wú jiǔjīng tiáojiǔ	mocktail	我今天想喝無酒精調酒。 Wǒ jīntiān xiǎng hē wú jiǔjīng tiáojiǔ.	Today I want a mocktail.
莫希托	mòxītuō	mojito	莫希托很清爽。 Mòxītuō hěn qīngshuǎng.	A mojito is very refreshing.
瑪格麗特	mǎgélìtè	margarita	瑪格麗特通常有鹽邊。 Mǎgélìtè tōngcháng yǒu yánbiān.	A margarita often has a salted rim.
馬丁尼	mǎdīngní	martini	你喜歡乾一點的馬丁尼嗎？ Nǐ xǐhuan gān yìdiǎn de mǎdīngní ma?	Do you like your martini drier?
內格羅尼	nèigéluóní	negroni	內格羅尼的味道偏苦。 Nèigéluóní de wèidào piān kǔ.	A negroni tastes on the bitter side.
曼哈頓	màn hādùn	manhattan	我想試一杯曼哈頓。 Wǒ xiǎng shì yì bēi màn hādùn.	I want to try a Manhattan.
老式雞尾酒	lǎoshì jīwěijiǔ	old fashioned	老式雞尾酒很適合慢慢喝。 Lǎoshì jīwěijiǔ hěn shìhé mànman hē.	An old fashioned is great for sipping slowly.
威士忌酸	wēishìjì suān	whiskey sour	威士忌酸酸甜甜的。 Wēishìjì suān suān tián tián de.	A whiskey sour is sweet and tangy.
長島冰茶	chángdǎo bīngchá	Long Island iced tea	長島冰茶其實酒精很強。 Chángdǎo bīngchá qíshí jiǔjīng hěn qiáng.	Long Island iced tea is actually pretty strong.
血腥瑪麗	xuèxīng mǎlì	Bloody Mary	血腥瑪麗有番茄味。 Xuèxīng mǎlì yǒu fānqié wèi.	A Bloody Mary has a tomato flavor.
皮娜可樂達	pí nà kě lè dá	piña colada	皮娜可樂達很有椰子味。 Pí nà kě lè dá hěn yǒu yēzǐ wèi.	A piña colada tastes strongly of coconut.
高球	gāoqiú	highball	我想喝一杯威士忌高球。 Wǒ xiǎng hē yì bēi wēishìjì gāoqiú.	I want a whiskey highball.
伏特加	fútèjiā	vodka	這杯用伏特加當基底。 Zhè bēi yòng fútèjiā dāng jīdǐ.	This drink uses vodka as the base.
琴酒	qínjiǔ	gin	我喜歡琴酒的草本味。 Wǒ xǐhuan qínjiǔ de cǎoběn wèi.	I like gin’s herbal notes.
蘭姆酒	lánmǔjiǔ	rum	這杯有蘭姆酒和檸檬。 Zhè bēi yǒu lánmǔjiǔ hé níngméng.	This drink has rum and lemon.
龍舌蘭	lóngshélán	tequila	瑪格麗特通常會用龍舌蘭。 Mǎgélìtè tōngcháng huì yòng lóngshélán.	Margaritas usually use tequila.
威士忌	wēishìjì	whiskey	我想喝一點威士忌。 Wǒ xiǎng hē yìdiǎn wēishìjì.	I want to drink a bit of whiskey.
白蘭地	báilándì	brandy	白蘭地適合慢慢品嚐。 Báilándì shìhé mànman pǐncháng.	Brandy is good for sipping slowly.
利口酒	lìkǒujiǔ	liqueur	這杯加了一點利口酒提香。 Zhè bēi jiā le yìdiǎn lìkǒujiǔ tíxiāng.	This drink adds a bit of liqueur for aroma.
通寧水	tōngníng shuǐ	tonic water	金湯力會用到通寧水。 Jīn tānglì huì yòng dào tōngníng shuǐ.	Gin and tonic uses tonic water.
苦精	kǔjīng	bitters	老式雞尾酒會滴幾滴苦精。 Lǎoshì jīwěijiǔ huì dī jǐ dī kǔjīng.	Old fashioneds use a few drops of bitters.
糖漿	tángjiāng	syrup	這杯太酸，可以加一點糖漿。 Zhè bēi tài suān, kěyǐ jiā yìdiǎn tángjiāng.	This is too sour—you can add a little syrup.

Beer, wine & other alcohol

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
生啤酒	shēng píjiǔ	draft beer	我想要一杯生啤酒。 Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi shēng píjiǔ.	I’d like a draft beer.
精釀啤酒	jīngniàng píjiǔ	craft beer	這裡的精釀啤酒選擇很多。 Zhèlǐ de jīngniàng píjiǔ xuǎnzé hěn duō.	They have lots of craft beer options here.
黑啤酒	hēi píjiǔ	dark beer / stout	黑啤酒味道比較厚。 Hēi píjiǔ wèidào bǐjiào hòu.	Dark beer has a heavier flavor.
拉格	lágé	lager	我想喝清爽一點的拉格。 Wǒ xiǎng hē qīngshuǎng yìdiǎn de lágé.	I want a lighter, crisp lager.
艾爾	ài’ěr	ale	這款艾爾有果香。 Zhè kuǎn ài’ěr yǒu guǒxiāng.	This ale has fruity notes.
葡萄酒	pútaojiǔ	wine (general)	你想喝哪一種葡萄酒？ Nǐ xiǎng hē nǎ yì zhǒng pútaojiǔ?	What kind of wine do you want?
紅酒	hóngjiǔ	red wine	這杯紅酒很順口。 Zhè bēi hóngjiǔ hěn shùnkǒu.	This red wine goes down smoothly.
白葡萄酒	bái pútaojiǔ	white wine	我想要冰的白葡萄酒。 Wǒ xiǎng yào bīng de bái pútaojiǔ.	I want chilled white wine.
玫瑰酒	méiguījiǔ	rosé	玫瑰酒喝起來比較清爽。 Méiguījiǔ hē qǐlái bǐjiào qīngshuǎng.	Rosé tastes lighter and fresher.
起泡酒	qǐpào jiǔ	sparkling wine	我們用起泡酒來慶祝。 Wǒmen yòng qǐpào jiǔ lái qìngzhù.	We’re celebrating with sparkling wine.
香檳	xiāngbīn	champagne	香檳通常比較貴。 Xiāngbīn tōngcháng bǐjiào guì.	Champagne is usually pricier.
清酒	qīngjiǔ	sake	清酒可以冰的也可以熱的。 Qīngjiǔ kěyǐ bīng de yě kěyǐ rè de.	Sake can be served chilled or warm.
梅酒	méijiǔ	plum wine/liqueur	梅酒甜甜的，很好入口。 Méijiǔ tián tián de, hěn hǎo rùkǒu.	Plum wine is sweet and easy to drink.
無酒精啤酒	wú jiǔjīng píjiǔ	non-alcoholic beer	我開車，所以喝無酒精啤酒。 Wǒ kāichē, suǒyǐ hē wú jiǔjīng píjiǔ.	I’m driving, so I’m having non-alcoholic beer.

Soft drinks, water & juices

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
礦泉水	kuàngquánshuǐ	mineral water	我想買一瓶礦泉水。 Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì píng kuàngquánshuǐ.	I want to buy a bottle of mineral water.
氣泡水	qìpào shuǐ	sparkling water	氣泡水可以加檸檬嗎？ Qìpào shuǐ kěyǐ jiā níngméng ma?	Can I add lemon to the sparkling water?
蘇打水	sūdǎ shuǐ	soda water	我想要一杯蘇打水。 Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi sūdǎ shuǐ.	I’d like a soda water.
可樂	kělè	cola	我想要一罐可樂。 Wǒ xiǎng yào yì guàn kělè.	I’d like a can of cola.
汽水	qìshuǐ	soda (general)	你想喝哪種汽水？ Nǐ xiǎng hē nǎ zhǒng qìshuǐ?	What kind of soda do you want?
無糖可樂	wú táng kělè	zero-sugar cola	我想換成無糖可樂。 Wǒ xiǎng huàn chéng wú táng kělè.	I want to switch to zero-sugar cola.
檸檬汁	níngméng zhī	lemon juice	我想加一點檸檬汁。 Wǒ xiǎng jiā yìdiǎn níngméng zhī.	I want to add a little lemon juice.
柳橙汁	liǔchéng zhī	orange juice	早餐我通常喝柳橙汁。 Zǎocān wǒ tōngcháng hē liǔchéng zhī.	I usually drink orange juice for breakfast.
蘋果汁	píngguǒ zhī	apple juice	小朋友比較喜歡蘋果汁。 Xiǎopéngyǒu bǐjiào xǐhuan píngguǒ zhī.	Kids tend to prefer apple juice.
葡萄汁	pútao zhī	grape juice	這杯葡萄汁有點甜。 Zhè bēi pútao zhī yǒudiǎn tián.	This grape juice is a bit sweet.
西瓜汁	xīguā zhī	watermelon juice	夏天喝西瓜汁很爽。 Xiàtiān hē xīguā zhī hěn shuǎng.	Watermelon juice feels amazing in summer.
蔓越莓汁	màn yuèméi zhī	cranberry juice	蔓越莓汁酸酸的。 Màn yuèméi zhī suān suān de.	Cranberry juice is tart.
番茄汁	fānqié zhī	tomato juice	我不太敢喝番茄汁。 Wǒ bù tài gǎn hē fānqié zhī.	I’m not very brave about drinking tomato juice.
椰子水	yēzǐ shuǐ	coconut water	運動後喝椰子水很舒服。 Yùndòng hòu hē yēzǐ shuǐ hěn shūfu.	Coconut water feels great after exercise.
奶昔	nǎixī	milkshake	這杯奶昔很濃，很飽。 Zhè bēi nǎixī hěn nóng, hěn bǎo.	This milkshake is rich and filling.
冰沙	bīngshā	slush / blended ice drink	我想要一杯芒果冰沙。 Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi mángguǒ bīngshā.	I want a mango slush.
果昔	guǒxī	smoothie	我早餐喜歡喝果昔。 Wǒ zǎocān xǐhuan hē guǒxī.	I like having a smoothie for breakfast.
運動飲料	yùndòng yǐnliào	sports drink	跑完步我會喝運動飲料。 Pǎo wán bù wǒ huì hē yùndòng yǐnliào.	After a run, I drink a sports drink.
能量飲料	néngliàng yǐnliào	energy drink	我不常喝能量飲料。 Wǒ bù cháng hē néngliàng yǐnliào.	I don’t drink energy drinks often.
熱巧克力	rè qiǎokèlì	hot chocolate	下雨天喝熱巧克力很療癒。 Xiàyǔ tiān hē rè qiǎokèlì hěn liáoyù.	Hot chocolate is comforting on rainy days.

Taiwan-style specials

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
豆漿	dòujiāng	soy milk	早餐我想喝熱豆漿。 Zǎocān wǒ xiǎng hē rè dòujiāng.	For breakfast, I want hot soy milk.
米漿	mǐjiāng	rice milk drink	你喝過米漿嗎？ Nǐ hē guò mǐjiāng ma?	Have you tried rice milk drink?
薏仁漿	yìrén jiāng	job’s tears drink	我想要一杯薏仁漿。 Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi yìrén jiāng.	I’d like a job’s tears drink.
木瓜牛奶	mùguā niúnǎi	papaya milk	木瓜牛奶很適合當點心。 Mùguā niúnǎi hěn shìhé dāng diǎnxīn.	Papaya milk is a great snack drink.
楊桃汁	yángtáo zhī	starfruit juice	這杯楊桃汁有點鹹甜。 Zhè bēi yángtáo zhī yǒudiǎn xián tián.	This starfruit juice is slightly sweet-and-salty.
烏梅汁	wūméi zhī	smoked plum juice	烏梅汁很解膩。 Wūméi zhī hěn jiěnì.	Smoked plum juice cuts greasiness really well.
酸梅湯	suānméi tāng	sour plum drink	我想喝一杯酸梅湯。 Wǒ xiǎng hē yì bēi suānméi tāng.	I want a sour plum drink.
桂圓紅棗茶	guìyuán hóngzǎo chá	longan & red date tea	桂圓紅棗茶喝起來很暖。 Guìyuán hóngzǎo chá hē qǐlái hěn nuǎn.	Longan and red date tea feels very warming.
洛神花茶	luòshénhuā chá	roselle (hibiscus) tea	洛神花茶顏色很漂亮。 Luòshénhuā chá yánsè hěn piàoliang.	Roselle tea has a gorgeous color.
黑糖薑茶	hēitáng jiāngchá	brown sugar ginger tea	我想要一杯黑糖薑茶。 Wǒ xiǎng yào yì bēi hēitáng jiāngchá.	I’d like a brown sugar ginger tea.
芒果冰沙	mángguǒ bīngshā	mango slush	芒果冰沙很適合夏天。 Mángguǒ bīngshā hěn shìhé xiàtiān.	Mango slush is perfect for summer.
蜜香紅茶	mìxiāng hóngchá	honey-aroma black tea	蜜香紅茶聞起來很香。 Mìxiāng hóngchá wén qǐlái hěn xiāng.	Honey-aroma black tea smells wonderful.

Drink verbs & actions (the words that make you sound fluent-ish)

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
續杯	xùbēi	to refill / get a refill	這杯可以續杯嗎？ Zhè bēi kěyǐ xùbēi ma?	Can this be refilled?
加	jiā	to add	請幫我加一點冰。 Qǐng bāng wǒ jiā yìdiǎn bīng.	Please add a little ice for me.
去冰	qù bīng	no ice	我想要去冰，謝謝。 Wǒ xiǎng yào qù bīng, xièxie.	I want it with no ice, thanks.
少冰	shǎo bīng	less ice	少冰就好。 Shǎo bīng jiù hǎo.	Less ice is fine.
全冰	quán bīng	full ice	我想要全冰，夠冰才爽。 Wǒ xiǎng yào quán bīng, gòu bīng cái shuǎng.	I want full ice—cold is the point.
半糖	bàn táng	half sugar	這杯做半糖就好。 Zhè bēi zuò bàn táng jiù hǎo.	Half sugar is fine for this one.
微糖	wēi táng	light sugar	我想要微糖，不要太甜。 Wǒ xiǎng yào wēi táng, bú yào tài tián.	I want light sugar, not too sweet.
無糖	wú táng	no sugar	我都喝無糖的。 Wǒ dōu hē wú táng de.	I always drink it without sugar.
內用	nèiyòng	to dine in	我們要內用。 Wǒmen yào nèiyòng.	We’ll dine in.
外帶	wàidài	to take away / to go	我趕時間，這杯外帶。 Wǒ gǎn shíjiān, zhè bēi wàidài.	I’m in a rush—this one to go.
結帳	jiézhàng	to check out / pay	我們現在可以結帳嗎？ Wǒmen xiànzài kěyǐ jiézhàng ma?	Can we pay now?
買單	mǎidān	to pay the bill (often for everyone)	今天我來買單。 Jīntiān wǒ lái mǎidān.	Today I’ll pay (my treat).
倒	dào	to pour	你可以幫我倒一點水嗎？ Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ dào yìdiǎn shuǐ ma?	Can you pour me a bit of water?
斟	zhēn	to pour (polite/host-style)	我幫你斟一杯酒。 Wǒ bāng nǐ zhēn yì bēi jiǔ.	I’ll pour you a glass of alcohol.
攪拌	jiǎobàn	to stir	請先攪拌一下再喝。 Qǐng xiān jiǎobàn yíxià zài hē.	Please stir it first, then drink.
搖	yáo	to shake	這種調酒要搖，不要攪拌。 Zhè zhǒng tiáojiǔ yào yáo, bú yào jiǎobàn.	This cocktail should be shaken, not stirred.
冰鎮	bīngzhèn	to chill (make cold)	白葡萄酒要先冰鎮。 Bái pútaojiǔ yào xiān bīngzhèn.	White wine should be chilled first.
品嚐	pǐncháng	to taste / savor	我們慢慢品嚐這杯酒。 Wǒmen mànman pǐncháng zhè bēi jiǔ.	Let’s savor this drink slowly.
醉了	zuìle	to be drunk (state)	我好像有點醉了。 Wǒ hǎoxiàng yǒudiǎn zuìle.	I think I’m a bit drunk.
解渴	jiěkě	to quench thirst	喝水最解渴。 Hē shuǐ zuì jiěkě.	Water quenches thirst best.

3) Optional variants: measure words & “sound polite” upgrades

Because “一個啤酒” is… a choice. Not a great one, but a choice.

Traditional Chinese	Pinyin	Meaning (EN)	Example (ZH + pinyin)	Translation (EN)
一杯	yì bēi	one cup/glass (most drinks)	我要一杯咖啡。 Wǒ yào yì bēi kāfēi.	I want a cup of coffee.
一瓶	yì píng	one bottle	請給我一瓶礦泉水。 Qǐng gěi wǒ yì píng kuàngquánshuǐ.	Please give me a bottle of mineral water.
一罐	yì guàn	one can	我想要一罐可樂。 Wǒ xiǎng yào yì guàn kělè.	I want a can of cola.
一壺	yì hú	one pot (tea)	我們點一壺烏龍茶。 Wǒmen diǎn yì hú wūlóngchá.	We’ll order a pot of oolong tea.
麻煩給我…	máfan gěi wǒ…	please give me… (polite)	麻煩給我一杯水。 Máfan gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ.	Please give me a cup of water.
來一杯…	lái yì bēi…	let’s have / bring me a… (casual)	來一杯啤酒吧。 Lái yì bēi píjiǔ ba.	Bring me a beer (casual).
一口	yì kǒu	a sip	我只喝一口就好。 Wǒ zhǐ hē yì kǒu jiù hǎo.	Just one sip is enough for me.