What type of drink is a Hot Coffee Refill categorized as?

A Hot Coffee Refill is categorized as espresso because it is essentially brewed coffee made from espresso beans, often served black without additional milk or flavoring. At Starbucks, when a customer orders a hot coffee refill, it typically involves a traditional drip coffee rather than milk-based drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos.

Since lattes and cappuccinos involve steamed milk and are constructed differently, they do not belong in the same category as a straightforward hot coffee refill. Cold brew, being a different brewing method, also does not align with the attributes of a hot coffee refill. Understanding that a hot coffee refill is typically a simple, unembellished coffee allows you to see its right classification within espresso-based beverages.