With travel plans and reunions put on hold, I spent this summer working at Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea in Nashville. While I was definitely not the best barista (I spilled many drinks all over myself behind the counter), I loved working at the register and hearing everyone’s unique coffee orders.
I’ve always stuck with my favorite drinks, afraid of trying something new and having to pay for something I might end up not liking, so one of the best perks of working there was getting to experiment and try some new drinks. Here are some of my favorites!
- Iced Vanilla Latte
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Iced vanilla lattes are my favorite staple drink—the vanilla flavor adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the refreshing order. I usually order one at every new coffee shop I visit and base whether or not I come back on it. If you feel like spicing it up, request a different type of espresso; usually coffee shops have a premium espresso (like Starbucks’ blonde espresso or Sweetwaters’ Abianno espresso) that is sweeter and a slightly different flavor than the standard
- Chai Latte with White Chocolate Syrup
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Not gonna lie, I was really confused when a regular customer added white chocolate to her chai latte’s every morning this summer. When we accidentally made a mistake one day, she left the messed up coffee at the store, and I curiously took a sip. Chai lattes are usually a mix of cinnamon and other autumnal flavors, and the white chocolate added the perfect level of sweetness to the already-good drink. If you’re a fan of sweeter drinks, I highly recommend this unusual combination of flavors.
- White Chocolate Mocha
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For the few weeks when it is absolutely too cold for iced lattes, I switch to a hot white chocolate mocha. It’s slightly less chocolatey than the typical mochas, and it’s fun to add different whipped cream and other toppings—like peppermint, chocolate or caramel drizzle—to the top.
- Caramel+Mocha Blended Drink
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I discovered this drink accidentally this summer trying to save the leftovers from a mocha ice dragon (our version of Starbucks’ frappuccinos) and a caramel ice dragon, accidentally combining the two blenders. Out of curiosity I tasted it, and it turned into one of my new favorites. I ended up making it for myself at least once a week and recommended it to every customer that would listen. The two flavors compliment each other well without being overpowering.
- Thai Iced Tea
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As a barista, I will admit that I hated making thai tea. The orange colored powder made a mess no matter how careful you were and always ended up staining my hands. However, one of my last days of work I decided to finally try a thai tea—which we topped with an ounce of half and half—and I was shocked by how good it was! I don’t normally like iced teas, but it tasted similar to a chai latte with more of a watery than a milk base. If you’re looking for a non-coffee alternative, thai iced tea is definitely a hidden gem.
- Vanilla Cold Brew with Heavy Cream
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Full disclosure: I don’t like cold brew. The taste is a little too bitter for me, no matter how much cream I add in. However, cold brew is one of the most popular drinks, so I feel like it has to be included in this list. It has a strong coffee flavor and gives people plenty of energy. It’s also one of the easiest drinks to make from a barista’s point of view, so that’s a plus, too!
Whether you like your coffee hot or iced, with vanilla or chocolate, black or with cream, I hope you enjoy these recommendations and find your new signature drink soon!
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