Brew-haha? Americans secretly judge other’s coffee orders

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

YOUR COFFEE ORDER MAY BE GETTING JUDGED, AND SOME PEOPLE ARE KEEPING THEIRS A SECRET.

A NEW SURVEY OF 1,586 U-S COFFEE DRINKERS FROM TALKER RESEARCH FOUND ONE IN THREE JUDGE OTHER PEOPLE BASED ON HOW THEY TAKE THEIR COFFEE.

NEARLY A QUARTER ADMIT THEY HAVE AN ORDER THEY’LL ONLY GET IN SECRET BECAUSE THEY’RE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THINK.

SOME OF THE MORE UNUSUAL ADD-INS INCLUDE MAPLE SYRUP AND PEANUTS — OR EVEN BUTTER, FIVE SUGARS, WHIPPED CREAM AND CARAMEL SYRUP.

SO... WHAT’S YOUR COFFEE ORDER — AND WOULD YOU ADMIT IT IN PUBLIC? LET US KNOW!

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 1,586 Americans who drink coffee who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned, administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Sept. 23 and Sept. 28, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.