With the holidays and finals approaching, here are four festive and caffeinated drinks, as well as some additional recommendations from baristas, to keep you energized this winter season.
Java House: Gingerbread Caramel Latte
When we think of holiday flavors, oftentimes we think of chocolate or peppermint. In a unique twist, Java House has captured a different aspect of the holidays with their Gingerbread Caramel Latte.
A sweet and lightly spiced coffee, this drink features their house espresso blend, which is quite mild and pleasant, and it is topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce.
I am not a fan of caramel, but I still found this drink enjoyable. The inclusion of the caramel helped to counteract the slight natural bitterness of the coffee.
As you sip it, you get the distinct undertones of spice, but it’s not unpleasant or overpowering. Emulsified with the sweet whipped cream and caramel, each element of the drink balances out.
Coffee Emporium: Maple & Cinnamon Cold Brew Latte
For the brave souls who enjoy drinking cold coffee year round, this drink may be for you.
This drink features Coffee Emporium’s cold brew infused with cinnamon and maple syrup. Once milk is poured over it at the end of the drink’s mixing, a beautiful golden color washes over the cup.
As you sip it, it leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste, as most cold brews tend to do, but there is also a lingering sweetness from the syrups.
I prefer hot drinks over cold, but there was something quite refreshing about sipping a cold drink in front of the warm fireplace in the Coffee Emporium.
Note to the newer coffee drinkers: Cold brew is a stronger, more concentrated coffee, so if you’re trying it for the first time, I recommend ordering the smaller size.
T’spoons Coffee and Treats: Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte
For those looking to preserve the Thanksgiving spirit a little longer, this drink may be for you.
A creamy, rich latte infused with cheesecake flavoring, cinnamon, and a hint of pumpkin, this drink smelled like fall and warmed me from the inside out.
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Lattes are my favorite drink because I like my coffee milky and slightly sweet. Served in a beautiful ceramic mug, this drink was perhaps the creamiest latte I have ever had.
If you’re interested in trying this drink, it was on T’spoons’ list of ‘Sweater Weather Drinks.’ Also on the list, T’spoons owner Monique Holtkamp, recommended trying their Rosemary Honey Matcha Latte.
Cortado: Peanut Butter Cup Mocha
As a person whose favorite candy is Reese’s, I was immediately intrigued by this drink — especially the idea of peanut butter in a drink.
This mocha is a delicate espresso infused with peanut butter syrup, whole milk — my milk of choice — and mixed with chocolate ganache. The milk was swirled in a pretty rosette pattern on top, which made my cup quite aesthetically pleasing.
My only previous experience with nut-based drinks was with hazelnut syrup. I never expected peanut butter syrup to work so well in a drink, but it did. It elevated the simple mocha by lending it a slight nuttiness.
If you’re not a fan of peanut butter, the barista also recommended the Pumpkin Spice and Macadamia Nut Chai which has a chai base, milk of choice, pumpkin spice, and a macadamia nut syrup. Both drinks can be found on Cortado’s list of “Fall Specials.”
So, the next time you’re braving the cold on your way to class, be sure to treat yourself to one — or more —of these delicious drinks from Iowa City’s iconic coffee shops.