‘Insane’ Melbourne coffee order confusing Aussie baristas
A trendy “in-the-know” coffee order out of Melbourne has left baristas in other states scratching their heads.
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A Sydney barista has revealed the unusual coffee request he frequently receives from Melburnian customers – sparking debate among Aussie enthusiasts.
Conversation erupted after the cafe employee, who works at Manly’s trendy Noon cafe, was quizzed by a content creator in a TikTok video that has since gone viral.
“What’s the most outrageous order you’ve ever received?” the interviewer in the clip asked the barista.
It’s worth noting that Noon cafe is no stranger to unconventional coffee orders, featuring items like gingerbread lattes, cold brew slushies, and tahini lattes on its menu.
However, there is one order he said consistently stumps him.
“People from Melbourne always come in and ask for … it has the weirdest name ever … and it’s the most out there, single-word order, and they expect you to know it. I think it’s something like ‘The Swinger,’ but I don’t know …” he says.
He then tries to recall the order, saying, “It’s complicated. It’s a three-quarter flat white, specific milk, and brewed in a specific way … they always expect me to know it, but I don’t.”
The interviewer then calls on the viewers for help, and naturally, those familiar with Melbourne’s coffee culture jumped in to clarify exactly what he’s referring to, with many jumping in saying the order is actually known as “the magic”.
“It’s a magic, and it’s really not that complicated,” one user commented.
“Yep, a magic, it’s my coffee order,” another person added.
A third insisted that it is also the magic and claimed that “it’s all Melburnians order”.
So, what is this mysterious drink, and why does it seem to bewilder baristas outside the Victorian capital?
What is a ‘magic’ coffee?
A magic is a uniquely Melbourne creation often considered the city’s unofficial coffee order for those in the know.
It consists of a double ristretto (a short shot of espresso made by cutting off the extraction early, which results in a sweeter, more concentrated shot) topped with three-quarters milk and served in a smaller 150–160ml cup.
The result is a perfectly balanced coffee with a “magic” ratio of espresso to milk, ideal for those who find a flat white too milky but still want something creamy and smooth.
Where did it come from?
The magic reflects Melbourne’s obsession with the coffee, although its origin is contested.
Some claim it emerged in the famed laneway coffee shops in the early noughties, while others point specifically to South Melbourne’s St Ali, which opened in 2005, as the birthplace of the drink.
However, according to The Age, one person claims to have accidentally invented it himself.
A Melburnian named Zenon Misko who was a regular at Newtown S.C. in Fitzroy around 2006 said he would often chat with the cafe owner, Cate Della Bosca.
“It was before coffee got too trendy,” Mr Misko told the publication.
He said he liked combining a double ristretto with a flat white but often felt that there was “too much flat white”, so he asked if he could order it three-quarters full.
“We both enjoyed the drink, and I just said to her this is a really magical drink, and from that point on, it was coined ‘the magic’,” he said.
Where can I try it outside of Melbourne?
Outside of Melbourne, the magic coffee style isn’t widely known, so those looking to order one in other states might need to explain the recipe to baristas.
In Sydney, however, there are several coffee shops that feature the magic on their menus, according to The Coffee Snobs forum.
On the Lower North Shore, you can enjoy a Melburnian caffeine fix at Against The Grind, Kingswood, State of Espresso, and Rusty Dust.
In the CBD, you can visit Good Vibes, Nook, Pablo & Rusty’s, NormCore, and Devon Cafe.
In other states, most cafes that serve St Ali beans are likely to know how to make one.
Prices typically range from $4.50 to $5, similar to that of a small flat white – but Aussies could face the possibility of forking out more than $8 for a coffee very soon, due to the increased cost of coffee beans and wages.
‘The magic’ goes global
In 2023, Melbourne’s popular coffee order gained international recognition when it was introduced in the in-store cafes of the major British retailer Marks & Spencer.
The iconic store’s head of coffee Tom Rawlinson travelled to Melbourne to understand the hype surrounding this coffee and decided it was too good to leave behind in Australia.
Now, our friends across the pond can order one of these specialty coffees for about $A6.30.
“My wife was the first to try one at our local M&S, and she loved it. She said it was the perfect blend and ended up having two,” one person wrote about the M&S magic coffee on social media.
Another person commented: “It’s like a flat white, but better.”
Despite its global acclaim, some Australians are still unfamiliar with the order.
“I have no idea what this is,” one person wrote on the TikTok video.
“I’m from Melbourne and have never heard of this,” another added.
“A what now?!” a third chimed in. “Sounds dumb. Just order a coffee like a normal person.”
Others said they were interested in trying it but said they wouldn’t order it due to its “pretentious” name.
Another city with its own unique coffee order
Among the comments, west coast Aussies shared intel about another region-specific order: the “Long Mac Topped Up”.
This coffee style is a well-kept secret among those in Western Australia, particularly Perth and is essentially a long macchiato topped with textured milk.
Locals have been trying to promote this drink for years leading to the creation of a movement known as The Long Mac Topped Up Movement which aims to spread awareness across the country about their homegrown coffee order.
In 2021, WA Premier Mark McGowan even made an April Fool’s joke about the Long Mac Topped Up being the state’s “official coffee order”.
“Some may call it inauthentic. Some may say it’s not a real thing. Others might suggest it’s just a triple-shot latte,” Mr McGowan said.
“All I know is that it’s a great coffee, and now, it’s the official coffee order of Western Australia.”
Originally published as ‘Insane’ Melbourne coffee order confusing Aussie baristas
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