The Best Coffee Drinks for Non-Coffee Drinkers
Maybe you’re trying to acquire the taste for coffee, or maybe you’re just looking for something to order on your next cafe date. Whatever your reason, there are plenty of ways to enjoy coffee without having to experience its bitter taste.
In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best coffee drinks for people who don’t like coffee, as well as some delicious coffee alternatives you can find at most coffee shops. Then, we’ll take a look at functional coffee. Let’s dive in!
What Are the Best Coffee Drinks for Non-Coffee Drinkers?
If you’re trying to convince yourself to like coffee, don’t start with a plain cup of joe — that’s an easy recipe for a bad experience. Instead, look for drinks that mask coffee’s bitterness with syrups and whipped cream.
These drinks will still have a small coffee taste, but it should be so subtle that you might not notice it. If you ever feel like your drink tastes too much like coffee, just ask for less espresso the next time you order it.
Mocha
Ask any avid coffee drinker, and the chances are high that they started with a mocha. These delicious drinks are made by mixing espresso, cocoa powder, sugar, and water.
The end result is a drink that tastes almost like hot cocoa but with a subtle hint of extra flavor. Many mochas even come with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, which makes them even more like hot cocoa.
Of course, you can also add additional syrups to the mix. For instance, maybe you’d enjoy a peppermint mocha during the Christmas season or an orange mocha during the summer.
Caramel Macchiato
If you’re not a fan of chocolate, you can also try a caramel macchiato. To make this drink, simply like the bottom and walls of your mug with vanilla syrup. Then, froth some milk and pour it into the mug. Finish up by pouring a shot of espresso in and drizzling the top with caramel sauce.
This drink basically tastes like extra-sweet milk. You might find a slight hint of coffee if you focus really hard, but coffee’s main job in this recipe is to provide depth and richness to the rest of the flavors.
Frozen Coffee
Frozen coffees are a go-to for anyone who wants to enjoy the energy-supporting benefits of coffee without experiencing the coffee taste. There are dozens of flavors of frozen coffee, but the common denominator is espresso, milk, flavored syrups, and ice. These are all blended together to make a milkshake-like drink topped with whipped cream.
Dirty Chai
If you like chai lattes, then you’ll probably like dirty chai. A dirty chai is basically a chai latte with a shot or two of espresso in it, so it tastes similar to a regular chai drink.
The sweetness of chai syrup and spices does a great job of hiding the bitterness of coffee. At the same time, you’ll get to experience the lift that comes with drinking coffee.
Vanilla Latte
Last, but certainly not least, we have the vanilla latte. This classic drink is made by combining a couple of shots of espresso, frothed milk, and vanilla syrup.
You can also get this drink on ice if you’re looking to beat the heat. An iced latte might also help keep the coffee flavor hidden since you’ll be focused on the cool sensation of a cold drink.
Of course, you can also opt for other latte flavors. Some popular alternatives include pumpkin spice, hazelnut, and caramel.
What Are the Best Coffee Alternatives?
What are the options for someone who wants to place an order at a cafe without drinking coffee at all? Luckily, there are a few coffee alternatives that most cafes have on their menus.
Matcha
Matcha is a type of green tea that’s made by grinding tea leaves into a fine powder. This type of tea tastes similar to green tea but leans more into nutty and sweet flavors than regular tea does. It also contains more caffeine than regular tea, but less than coffee.
In a coffee shop, you might see matcha listed as a “matcha latte.” This just means that the drink will be made with concentrated matcha and frothed milk. You can also order your matcha with sweetener if you’re worried about the taste.
Cocoa
Cocoa is often made by mixing powdered cocoa with sweetener and milk. Depending on the type of cocoa or chocolate used, hot cocoa can be a very rich drink.
Cocoa has a slight bitterness that is similar to coffee, but it contains theobromine instead of caffeine. While caffeine can result in a jittery feeling and an energy crash if you drink too much of it, theobromine provides a more stable rush of energy that is less likely to overload your nervous system.
Herbal Teas
You can also try herbal teas. These are made by steeping leaves or flowers from various medicinal plants and herbs. Herbal teas don’t contain caffeine, but they can have some unique health benefits.
Popular herbal teas include:
- Chamomile: Chamomile can help support relaxation and a good night’s sleep.
- Lavender: Lavender can ease stress and anxiety.
- Peppermint: Peppermint can support digestion.
- Ginger and Lemon: Ginger can help reduce nausea and heartburn.
- Raspberry: Raspberry leaf can support hormonal health, especially in women.
Functional Coffee: Your New Best Friend
What if you enjoy the taste of coffee, but don’t like the unpleasant side effects? You might like mushroom coffee.
This functional coffee is made by combining extracts from medicinal mushrooms with other ingredients to provide multiple health benefits. At Everyday Dose, our Mushroom Coffee+ is the only one on the market that actually uses coffee extract to infuse our formula with the taste of coffee.
In our functional coffee, you can find the following ingredients:
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Supports focus and cognitive health.
- Chaga Mushroom: Contains pre- and probiotics to support gut health and immunity.
- L-Theanine: An amino acid that supports feelings of relaxation while encouraging mental clarity.
- Collagen Protein: Supports gut health and encourages healthy-looking hair, skin, and nails.
The Bottom Line
If you want to enjoy coffee without having to taste it, we have good news for you. From mochas to dirty chai lattes, there are plenty of options you can try to get your caffeine fix.
Or, if you like the taste of coffee but have a hard time with the negative side effects, you might like mushroom coffee. To try our best-selling mushroom formulas, shop all of our options today.
Sources:
The relevance of theobromine for the beneficial effects of cocoa consumption | PMC
The health benefits of 3 herbal teas | Harvard Health
