Final answer:
When a shot of espresso is requested in a chai, the best practice is to add it to the chai, creating a 'dirty chai'. This keeps the flavor balance intact and satisfies the customer's request for a caffeine boost.
Step-by-step explanation:
If espresso is requested in a chai, the correct approach would be to add a shot of espresso to the chai. This combination is commonly known as a "dirty chai" and is popular at many coffee shops. The standard chai tea latte is a mixture of black tea, spices, and milk.
When the customer requests espresso in their chai, the barista will typically pull a shot of espresso and add it to the existing chai drink, enhancing the beverage with a coffee flavor and an extra caffeine kick without significantly altering the chai to milk ratio.
Options such as replacing equal parts of chai and milk with espresso would create a disproportionate flavor balance, and serving the chai as it is would not fulfill the customer's request. Offering additional toppings like whipped cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg sprinkles is a separate preference that can be addressed after modifying the chai with espresso.