I believe it was the great Patrick Henry who once said “Give me caffeine or give me death.” Just kidding, he definitely didn’t say that, but let’s be real, next to liberty, caffeine is a pretty close second.
Like many respectable humans, I’ve been a coffee fan for some time now. However, this year I started working as barista at a local coffee shop and my love of coffee has grown exponentially, which I wasn’t even aware would be possible.
It turns out making coffee all day is as fun as it sounds (when you’re a caffeine junkie). Nothing makes a barista happier than helping their customer find the perfect drink. If you’ve ever had questions about what a drink is, never be afraid to ask. Baristas are coffee lovers and love to talk shop, especially if that means helping you find your new ‘regular.’
5 Ways to Switch Up Your Coffee Shop Routine:
If you have a little extra time to sit down and enjoy your coffee try….
Extra time on your hands? Try a single origin pour over. A pour over is a single cup brewing method that takes about 5 minutes but extracts all of the amazing flavors that different coffees have to offer. Let your barista know which kinds of coffee you like, even if it’s just dark vs. light and they’ll be able to recommend a great coffee for you to try.
If you like regular coffee but want to switch things up…
If you usually go for drip coffee why not give an Americano a try. An Americano is a drink made with espresso and water. This means you’re getting the fresh, rich espresso flavors, while also enjoying a drink you can sip on a little longer.
If you like iced coffee but wish it were stronger…
Have you ever wanted ice coffee but felt it was missing a little umph? Or by the time you get to your drink half the ice has melted? Try an iced red eye. This is an iced coffee with a shot of espresso. All the iced coffee goodness THEN some.
If you’re not sure whether you like lattes or cappuccinos…
Ahh yes, the age old question: What’s the difference between a cappuccino and a latte? It’s a good question! The answer: foam. Lattes are mostly steamed milk with a very light layer of foam, while cappuccinos have equal parts steamed milk to foam. So if the foam is your favorite part stick to cappuccinos. If you prefer the steamed milk, a latte is the way to go.
If you like lattes but wish there was less milk try…
If you love the creamy texture of a latte but wish the espresso flavors were stronger try a cortado. This is basically a mini latte with the same amount of espresso as a traditional latte.
Bonus Tip:
If you’re really serious about your caffeine love why not try it in your next smoothie! Yup, that’s right, coffee in a smoothie. Not just any smoothie though, a smoothie bowl. This thick, creamy delicious breakfast will satisfy both your (healthy) sweet tooth and your coffee cravings.
The Death Before Decaf Cold Brew Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients:
2 frozen bananas
1 Scoop of chocolate protein powder
1/4 cup of coconut milk
1/4 cup of cold brew
Toppings:
1/4 cup of Granola
1 tablespoon of Chocolate Nut Butter
2 tablespoons of your favorite nuts & seeds
Directions:
In a high powered blender, mix together bananas, protein powder, coconut milk and cold brew until smooth and creamy.
Top with granola, nut butter and your favorite nuts and seeds.
Serve in a bowl.
Serves: 2
Time: 15 minutes
Shop our Death Before Decaf products here and here.
This post was written by Georgie from In It 4 the Long Run, all text and photos credited to her. Thanks to Georgie for collaborating with us for this post!