# Café step 3: modifiers for milk, syrups and shots

> Build modifier sets for milk choice, syrups, extra espresso shots and food add-ons, with prices, rules and free choices, and link them to drinks.

Source: https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/cafe/step-3-modifiers-milk-syrups-and-shots/  
Last updated: 2026-10-30  
Product: SmartPOS Hub (https://smartposhub.com)

A café lives on options: oat milk, vanilla syrup, an extra shot, decaf, feta on the toast. In SmartPOS Hub these are **modifier sets**. Each set is one question ("Which milk?") with options, prices and rules, linked to the drinks that ask it.

## Before you start

- **Modifiers** is on ([step 1](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/cafe/step-1-cafe-settings-and-modules/)) and your drinks exist ([step 2](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/cafe/step-2-quick-menu/)).
- Your role has **Add product** and **Edit product**.

## Typical café sets

| Set | Rule | Options |
|---|---|---|
| **Milk Choice** | One choice, optional, whole milk pre-selected | Whole, Skim, Oat (+), Almond (+), Soy (+) |
| **Syrups** | Several choices, first one free | Vanilla, Caramel, Hazelnut, Sugar-free vanilla |
| **Espresso Extras** | Several choices, quantity per option | Extra shot (+), Decaf, Half-caf |
| **Food Add-ons** | Several choices | Poached egg, Feta, Smoked salmon, Gluten-free bread |

![Modifiers list with Espresso Extras, Food Add-ons, Milk Choice and Syrups sets, their rules, options and linked products](https://docs.smartposhub.com/_astro/cafe-modifier-sets.BdBLm19v.png) (web app page: `/modules/modifiers`)
*A café's modifier sets with their rules, options and the drinks that use them.*

## Build a set

1. Open **Restaurant › Modifiers** and click **Add modifier set** (or **Import prebuilt**).
2. Enter the **Set name** and, if you like, the title shown to customers ("Choose your milk").
3. Under **Selection rules**, choose **One choice** or **Several choices**, **Required** or not, and **Free choices** if the first is free.
4. Under **Options**, add each option with its price. Mark the usual one **Pre-selected**. For extra shots, allow a quantity per option.
5. Under **Products**, add the drinks (or all products of the Coffee category).
6. Check **What the cashier sees** and click **Save modifier set**.

Use **Set order** so Milk comes before Syrups on every drink. Every builder option is explained in [Modifiers](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/modifiers/) and [Restaurant step 4](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/restaurant/step-4-menu-items-and-modifiers/).

## At the counter

The barista taps **Latte**, picks **16 oz**, and the options window asks the linked sets. The picks show as chips on the cart line and under the drink on the bar screen.

## Tips and mistakes to avoid

- Make sets **optional** unless the drink can't be made without the answer.
- Use one shared set per question (one Milk Choice for all drinks), not one per drink.
- Free-text requests ("extra hot") can be typed as a note on the cart line.

## Next step

  - [Step 4: Bar screen and customer display](https://docs.smartposhub.com/business-types/cafe/step-4-bar-screen-and-customer-display/)
  - [Modifiers module](https://docs.smartposhub.com/modules/modifiers/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Should oat milk be a modifier or a variation?

A modifier. Sizes change the base price and are variations; milk, syrups and shots are choices on top, so they are modifier options with their own price (0 for free).

### Can whole milk be free and oat milk cost extra?

Yes. Give Whole milk a price of 0 and Oat milk its surcharge. Mark Whole milk as Pre-selected so the cashier only taps when the guest wants something else.

### Can the first syrup be free?

Yes. Set Free choices to 1 on the Syrups set. The first syrup picked is free and the rest are charged.

### Can a guest have two extra shots?

Yes. Switch on Allow quantity per option and set Max per option to the highest number you allow.

### Do modifiers print on the bar screen?

Yes. Each picked option shows under the drink on the bar screen, the kitchen ticket and the receipt.