Sip into Bliss: 6 Irresistible Cafe Drinks
Welcome to HappyCaff, we're here to spill the beans on the 6 must-try cafe drinks from local cafes near you! Whether you're a student in Tacoma needing a study spot, a cafe enthusiast seeking unique and exciting beverages, or a coffee expert hunting for the crème de la crème of beans, we've got something for everyone.
Our cafe hoppers, Isaiah and Merriah, have each selected their top 6 drinks from cafes near you. They've been steeped in research (and coffee) to bring you these recommendations. So grab your mugs and get ready for a latte fun as we dive into these brew-tiful selections.
Isaiah’s Top Picks:
Dalgona Coffee
Many of you, found out about this drink In 2020 amidst the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic! I am a little late to the party on this drink as I found out about this drink in 2023! I was interested in learning about the drink originating from South Korea! I was initially interested in the appearance of the drink as the coffee foam on the top or what many others call whipped coffee! I was quick to notice that the recipe is very simple and fun to make, but will hurt your arms if your self whisking! It’s a work out okay???! The recipe goes like this:
Instant coffee
Sugar (Preferably granulated sugar!)
Hot Water
Milk (Any of your choice!)
All of these ingredients whipped together create a luscious foam! I personally over time have altered the recipe to my liking as I’m not a big fan of instant coffee, I found a way to make it with 2 shots of espresso! The ingredients to my recipe goes like this:
2 Shots of Espresso
2 Tbls of Granulated White Sugar
2 Tbls of Wildflower Honey (I have a sweet tooth!)
Oat Milk
For my recipe you can choose to remove the sugar and just use the honey and vice versa! I just like to have both because It comes out with better consistency in my opinion and I have a sweet tooth! This drink is for you if you love sweet drinks with a nice blend of coffee and milk!
Dalgona coffee for me became the at-home beverage for me because it’s so simple, sweet, and easy to make! I would highly recommend you try making this both ways I listed and let us know what you think @happycaff and using #happycaff!
Blueberry Matcha Latte w/ rose from Candor Coffee
If you love matcha, this drink is FOR YOU! The way I found out about this drink is rather bittersweet because it took place during a time when I was trying to be convinced to join a pyramid scheme… fun times. Aside from that the drink was great and definitely woke me up after the first 30 minutes! The blueberry in this drink tasted good as well and the rose on the top of the drink gave a nice touch of flavor!
The lady who recommended this drink was super kind and gave great suggestions! She was calm and attentive.
Lotus Latte from Onit Cafe
I LOVE this drink! I grew up eating Lotus Biscuits and when I saw at Onit Cafe that they had a Lotus Latte that never seen before I was so happy to taste test it along with friends! This drink also goes well with waffles and fruits as you can see from my picture! The presentation for me is 8/10! I would give it a 10 if it came in a nice glass that could complement the design of the drink! Aside from that the drink tasted 9/10 and would come back for this because the lotus biscuit on the top along with crumbled pieces of lotus biscuits spread throughout the drink created an enjoyable experience for me!
Merriah’s Top Picks:
Cinnamon Caramel Macchiato
Ill kick off my list with a Cinnamon Caramel Macchiato! It is a classic for one and honestly the perfect drink for someone who likes sweet coffee on a hot day. I’m also a sucker for layered drinks that look super pretty like this one. Not to mention if you don't stir it the flavor changes as you drink is and call me weird but that's my favorite part! The cinnamon is something i add to mine at home for a sweet kick, it pairs nicely with the vanilla and the caramel. This is the drink my mom would buy me on our coffee shop outings growing up (she got me decaf). Maybe the familiarity is why I love it so much to this day. This is such a simple drink that i guarantee any shop will offer it. Go get it and don't forget the cinnamon on top, use #HappyCaff to show it off!
Midnight Crush- Common Ground
Have you ever heard or even thought of mixing blackberry, vanilla, and espresso?! Yeah, me either but it is hands-down so delicious! Its so good that when I asked the barista if she likes the Midnight Crush drink she excitedly said “YESSS, GET IT”. This singlehandedly made my day and is probably the best sign you could get from a barista, coming from an ex barista haha. You just know the drink is about to hit different when the barista approves. I appreciate the enthusiasm and after trying it I feel the same way about it. Its creamy, smooth, comforting and slightly fruity… not too sweet either. What more could you want in a drink? Go check it out and let me know what you think by using #HappyCaff!
Vanilla Cloud- Naomi Joe
Okay, this is for my experimental coffee enthusiasts and home baristas out there. The ones passionate about coffee on a deeper level, who try innovative coffee flavor profiles and want something especially unique. If you like light roasts with a flavor kick then please check out Naomi Joe, you wont be disappointed. Shout out to Kyle, the owner, hes the best first of all but second of all, he takes his coffee seriously and has a scientific approach to it. His espresso machines are in-freaking-sane! The Vanilla Cloud is a simple traditional macchiato with vanilla sugary goodness sprinkled on top. I'm actually obsessed with soft foam and the sweet touch of the sprinkles, its really is the cherry on top, so to speak.
Now the best thing about Naomi Joe’s cafe is that you can choose the roast for your drink! (for the coffee fanatics like me) In this case, go ahead and try the Cherry Blossom beans. Its floral, smooth and nothing too crazy for someone who wants to get a little frisky with their coffee without risking too much. Give them a try and post your picks with #HappyCaff!
