While coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, some people simply don’t like it. However, even people who don’t necessarily like coffee still drink it because of the energy boost that it gives. If you’re one of those people who are looking for drinks that include coffee, but don’t taste like it, this article is for you.
3 Delicious Coffee Drinks for Non-Coffee Drinkers
Not all coffees are created equal. We’ve created a list of 3 delicious coffee drinks for non-coffee drinkers to help ease them into the delightful world of coffee.
- Mocha Latte or Café Mocha
If you love chocolate, this drink is perfect for you. A mocha latte or café mocha is often considered a ‘gateway coffee drink’.
A café mocha is a chocolate-flavored variant of a café latte – think hot chocolate with a bit of espresso. You can even add a bit of whipped cream on top for that extra sweetness.
With its sweet taste, mocha latte or café mocha might just be the drink to ease your taste buds into drinking coffee. - Latte
In terms of taste, the latte is one of the most accessible coffee beverages. Basically, a latte is made with a shot (or two) of espresso combined with steamed milk – or regular milk in the case of an iced latte. Yu can order lattes at any restaurant or coffee shop with an espresso machine.
If you have no problems with milk, this is probably the best drink to start with. If you are lactose intolerant, many coffee shops can offer different types of milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, etc.Most coffee shops have all sorts of flavorings and syrups they can add to your latte, giving it a more delicious flavor.
Further, the steamed milk is creamy and thick, and masks the intensity of espresso well. Even if you order your latte without any flavorings and syrups, steamed milk is thick and creamy enough to mask the intensity of espresso well – the flavor of just the coffee and milk alone in a well-prepared latte tastes great. - Cappuccino
The cappuccino is very similar to the latte, but milk rather than steamed milk, the espresso is combined with frothed milk. Then, it is topped with milk foam which is created during the frothing process.
Lattes are creamy and thick throughout, while cappuccinos have a layering to them. Since a cappuccino is still basically espresso and milk, it retains all the same drinkable qualities that the latte has.
Typically, cappuccinos don’t have anything added to them (because stirring in syrups can mess up the layering), and are a great starting point to begin appreciating the taste of coffee itself.
5 Alternatives for Non-Coffee Drinkers
Whether you dislike the taste, are trying to cut back on caffeine, or if you’re just looking to try something new, here are 5 coffee alternatives that you can try.
- Tea
There are many different tea flavors out there, so if you get bored with one, there are several others you can choose from.
Different types of teas also range in caffeine levels, so be mindful of which ones you buy. In terms of giving you an energy boost, black tea is the closest equivalent to coffee, while green tea follows behind.
Also, be mindful of herbal teas – they might taste nice but they have no caffeine to give you a boost. - Yerba Mate
If you’re the type of person who needs the caffeine provided in coffee but don’t like the drink itself, then a Yerba Mate may be the perfect drink for you.
A Yerba Mate is a naturally caffeinated tea harvested from the dried leaves of a South American Holly tree. One cup of Yerba Mate contains approximately the same amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee.
However, Yerba Mate may be an acquired taste for some as it is often described as having a somewhat bitter and smoky flavor. But, if you are looking for a coffee alternative, this drink is perfect for you.
Not only do you get the same caffeine kick, but Yerba Mate is also packed with rich antioxidants, and numerous vitamins and minerals. - Hot Apple Cider
The sweet tanginess of a hot apple cider offers its own unique pick-me-up in lieu of caffeine. Plus, its soothing warmth is just as satisfying as that of coffee on cold days.
In addition to its natural sweetness, because apples are its key ingredient, apple cider offers certain health benefits not found in coffee. - Golden Milk Latte
Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is originally an Indian drink which has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is traditionally made with turmeric, warmed milk, ginger, and cinnamon.
Curcumin, a compound in turmeric, counters fatigue and boosts energy, which makes the golden milk latte a natural caffeine-free pick-me-up drink.
While some ‘trending’ drinks aren’t as appealing as they sound, this golden drink is surprisingly palatable and may be the perfect drink for non-coffee drinkers. - Mint Tea
Mint is popularly used as an ingredient to stimulate the mind and wake up the brain, so it’s only logical that mint tea would be a great coffee alternative.
Because mint is a powerful herb with a kick, some people prefer to brew their mint teas for a shorter time which results in a lighter taste.
For those who are looking for more variety, mint tea can often be flavored with berries, lemons, blueberries, and other fresh fruits as the herb pairs up well with almost all fruits.
The Bottom Line
Some people don’t like the taste of coffee, but they still drink it for the energy boost that it provides. If you’re one of those people who are looking for drinks that include coffee but don’t taste like it, we recommend a café mocha, latte, or cappuccino.
However, if you’re looking for a coffee alternative (that can still provide you with a caffeine kick), we recommend tea, Yerba Mate, hot apple cider, a golden milk latte, and mint tea. Enjoy!
