For those who are my friend on Snapchat and have been blessed with the gift of viewing my stories, or really, for those who are my friend in general (or know me in some sort of capacity), you are most likely more than aware of the one place I publicly display my love and admiration for Peet's Coffee and Tea. While most might refer to my daily Peet's antics as an "obsession", I prefer the term "appreciation". I appreciate Peet's as a business - I appreciate the kind employees who greet me every time I stop by, I appreciate the menu accommodating to a variety of health and allergen needs, and furthermore, I appreciate the experience I am given each and every time I walk out of their shop - coffee in system, smile on my face, empty in wallet.
Before I continue with the rest of this totally-non-promotional article, I would like to publicly address the fact that no, I am not sponsored by Peet's. While I do wish that one day the superior coffee franchise might notice the amount of free promotion I give on a daily basis, I currently remain at the same level as any other customer. Given the fact that I could probably pay off my college tuition with the amount of money I have spent on Peet's, I have received far an abundance of messages asking if I am in any way "officially" affiliated with the brand. I was a brand ambassador for them last semester, however, the program ended - along with my hopes and dreams of becoming an official Peet's Person.
To be quite honest, I am not that big on drinking plain coffee itself. I couldn't tell you the difference between a light roast and a dark roast, aside from what I could infer based on their title, and I couldn't even tell you how to use a Keurig (though I'm sure I could figure it out). Maybe I'm just too young, or maybe I haven't reached the constant stress that adulthood tends to bring; I'm not a coffee drinker. However, I am a Peet's drinker. And coming from the Peet's Connoisseur them-self (me), I have created a list of my favorite drinks from Peet's - in the hopes that you might give the business the chance they deserve (I swear on my life that this is not an #ad).
1. For the Sweet Tooth: Black Tie
If I am in the mood for something cold, refreshing, and sweet, I go for the Coconut Black Tie. It's not as fancy as it sounds - essentially, it's a tiny bit of condensed milk at the bottom of the cup, cold brew, and a splash of coconut milk (or whatever kind of dairy you prefer) mixed with a little bit of chicory-infused simple syrup. Kind of like a milky iced coffee, infused with coconut, sweetness, and just the right amount of spice to balance everything out.
2. For the Child at Heart: Javiva
When I was between the ages of eleven and thirteen, all I would order from Starbucks was a caramel frappucino with more-than-enough whipped cream. I have no idea how I was able to tolerate the amount of sugar and calories that were going into my body, but hey - I'm still alive and better than ever. For the times I feel like wanting to be a kid, but not necessarily risking my health by ordering a drink composed of half dairy and half sugar, I order a Mocha Javiva with Almond Milk. Javivas are blended beverages coming in several different flavors ranging from Matcha and Mocha to Coffee and Caramel - and they're basically the mature version of a frappucino.
3. For the Non-Coffee Drinker: Fog
Coffee isn't for everyone, and sometimes, it's better that way. Recently, Peet's added a new drink to their menu perfectly suited for those who aren't ready to make the lifelong commitment that is called coffee-dependency, or for those who prefer a different beverage, such as tea. The thirst-quenching beverage is called a "fog" due to the frothy look it gets after its ingredients are shaken up. The Fog contains a base tea of your choice, infused with lemonade and honey. While it sounds like an unusual combination, it works. Think: fancy Arnold Palmer with less sugar.
4. For the Real-Life Adult: Coffee
I mean, it is a coffee shop, and their coffee is what they are predominantly known for selling. As I mentioned before, I am not a true coffee drinker - however, I do like coffee beverages. In addition to its plain coffee, Peet's has a great selection of coffee drinks, such as the Mocha, Traditional Cappucino, and an assortment of lattes. For all the vegans and non-dairy consumers of the world, Peet's is able to sub in dairy alternatives such as almond, soy, and coconut milk - and even coconut milk based whipped cream.
5. For the Starbucks Lover Who Refuses to Give Peet's a Chance: Iced Chai
Yes, I just called you out. Before going any further, I would like to make the important note that Starbucks would not exist if it weren't for Peet's - so there's no reason you shouldn't give Peet's a chance. In my opinion, a universal drink among coffee shop goers, coffee and tea drinkers alike, is the Iced Chai Latte - and as someone who has tried a multitude of Iced Chai's from a multitude of coffee franchises across the world, I can genuinely say that Peet's has the perfect balance between spice and sweetness. You are given a kick with every sip, and the dairy serves as a neutralizer.
In case my daily stories have yet to present you with an incentive to go to Peet's, I hope this mini-article has. As a Bay Area native, it's only right that I support my local business! There is no other reason that I go to Peet's so often aside from the simple fact that I like it. (And hopefully, you do too!)
