It started with a question: How are Starbucks baristas and customers able to connect over coffee when the front-bar positioning and large size of espresso machines obscure the baristas and espresso craft? By moving the espresso engine below the counter and incorporating bottom-fill espresso glasses, the Phantom Espresso opens up the bar and, as if by magic, presents delicious, swirling coffee and smooth crema right before customers’ eyes. Initially developed and tested as a prototype in 2017, the Starbucks engineering and industrial design teams partnered closely with long-term supplier Thermoplan of Switzerland to commercialize the Phantom, which recently debuted in all the SoDo Starbucks Reserve stores.