There’s nothing quite like a perfect cup of coffee to start your day. Whether it’s a good old-fashioned cup of Joe, a fancy mocha with chocolate and whipped cream, coffee liqueur cocktail or coffee over ice, yes, these java drinks will have you caffeinated and ready to roll. From the sweet to the straight black, you’ll find something to fit your fancy. Without further ado, here is a roundup of coffee drinks that will grab ahold and make you feel that soul-warming goodness. Yes, it’s definitely comfort in a cup!
Morning Wood Coffee Stout
Big Wood Brewery
If you need your afternoon coffee fix, head over to Big Wood Brewery. The Morning Wood Coffee Stout, which has been voted as one of the best local beers, will give you a smooth blast of coffee flavor and send you right back to the morning with its subtle undertones of oatmeal and chocolate. The Big Wood Brewery Taproom is a gem of a place, and a great place to spend a few hours playing cribbage or relaxing with friends. You can even order in food from many local restaurants while you get a sampler of their brews on tap. And if you want to enjoy the Morning Wood brews at home, you can pick them up from your local liquor store. $5.
Campfire Mocha
Caribou Coffee
Your mind will wander to Saturdays at the cabin and the Fourth of July with this perfectly crafted brew. In this cup of wonderment, chocolate is melted into steamed milk and combined with rich espresso and toasted-marshmallow flavored syrup; then, if that wasn’t good enough, the whole shebang is topped with silky whipped cream, mini marshmallows and miniature chocolate chips. Although this isn’t a new drink, it’s a customer favorite and is great any time of the year. It comes hot, blended or iced, depending on how you like to enjoy your drink. $3-$5.
Tiramisu
Café Cravings
Looking for a way to get that coffee flavor without having to drink it? Both sophisticated and sexy, this light and airy dessert will tickle your taste buds and leave you wanting more; after all, Cravings, in all its glory, does desserts the right way, adding layer after layer of flavor and deliciousness. This classic Italian tiramisu, which is loosely translated to “pick me up,” or “cheer me up,” boasts a dreamy blend of mascarpone cheese and pastry cream, layered between light and delicate, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, and not-so-subtly kissed with whipping cream. A dusting of unsweetened cocoa on top is the quintessential counterpoint. Call ahead and order to make sure they have your special dessert ready for you. $65 to feed a group.
Espresso Martini
Acqua
Cocktails are amazing; cocktails with coffee are out of this world. Spend some time gazing out over the lake with the one you love and enjoy a scrumptious dinner with some of the best dishes you can find in the Twin Cities. Yes, Acqua is known for their top-notch food and wine, but don’t pass up a superb ending to the meal. The espresso martini, which will provide you with a smooth and creamy caffeinated kick, contains vodka, Kahlua, velvety Godiva white chocolate liqueur and freshly brewed espresso. Definitely shaken and not stirred, this chocolate-y, coffee-flavored martini is the stuff of legends. Take that, James Bond. $10.
Black Coffee
Cobblestone Cafe
Sometimes, nothing can substitute for a great cuppa Joe. What’s special about this cup of coffee—besides the fact that it’s freshly made and tasty—is that it keeps on coming; yep, just keep drinking and they’ll keep filling. So, sit down, take a load off, and enjoy a few eggs and some toast. Try one of their delicious omelets or juicy burgers. And wash it all down with Joe. You’ll be astounded by the great food and the small-town charm of this cozy place; it makes you feel like you’ve stepped into that diner where everyone knows your name. $2.25.
