Although the excitement of the holidays looms over us, the approaching holiday season also means that finals are upon us. It’s important to take breaks and give yourself the time to recharge. One of my favorite ways of blowing off stress is taking a trip into town and treating myself to coffee. Even though Hamilton is a small town, there are plenty of options and varieties when it comes to coffee. Here are some of my favorite go-to drinks when I need a self-care moment away from studying or a quick pick-me-up:
- Ryeberry
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Ryeberry is by far my favorite cafe in town because everything is homemade and made to order (it also doubles as my favorite in-town study spot). My favorite drink to get during the fall is the iced pumpkin spice latte with almond milk. I suggest getting it with half the pumps of syrup if you are not a super sweet coffee drinker like me. With half the pumps of sweetener, you still get a hint of fall while ensuring that you’re not overpowering the flavor of the coffee.
- Fojo Beans
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All of my friends know that I am not a hot coffee type of girl, but the hot lattes from Fojo Beans are to die for. If you drink it in house, they hand your latte over in a cute mug with latte art on top, tying the drink together in an aesthetically pleasing way. Warm lattes with oat milk are my favorite here, as the oat milk gives a rich addition to the espresso.
- Friends and Pho
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If you need a caffeine boost, this is the place for you. The iced Vietnamese coffee comes in the largest cup you’ll ever see, giving you three times more coffee than other spots in town for only $5. Vietnamese coffee is an acquired taste because it’s very strong, but if you are a coffee lover and enjoy the taste of pure coffee, this drink is for you. Or if you’re desperate to bust that essay out!
- Flour and Salt
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If you are like me and believe that the holiday season begins the day after Halloween, you have to try the iced peppermint mocha from Flour and Salt. Coming from an avid Starbucks drinker back home in Chicago, the peppermint mocha here is arguably ten times better than the version made at Starbucks. While the Starbucks peppermint mocha has an overwhelming chocolate flavor, the Flour and Salt version maintains a nice balance between the mocha and peppermint flavors while also allowing the taste of coffee to be savored as well.
These are just some suggestions because everyone has a different personal taste when it comes to their coffee. No matter what your drink preference is, try to get off campus during finals season to treat yourself. It’s all about adventuring the menus to find what works for you and your taste buds!