Barista’s Choice: Drinks From Behind The Counter
Find out baristas’ favorite drinks!
by Stella Coffaro
Growing up near the coffee capital of America—Seattle, WA—I pride myself on knowing a good cup of joe. Back home, I know the best local coffee shops for chai lattes, cold brews, hot cocoas—all the works! But now that I’m studying at Boston University, I have yet to find my go-to drinks from cafes on and near campus. So, this semester, I asked the people who know best—the baristas—to give me their favorite or most recommended drink from Dunkin’, Pavement, Saxby’s, and Blank Street Coffee.
Dunkin’
Starting at West Campus, my Dunkin’ barista recommended the Iced Blueberry Vanilla Latte, a “secret” menu item; ask for two shots each of blueberry and vanilla in your latte. I am a latte girl at heart, but I’ve never tried fruit in my coffee before, so I hesitated to try this concoction. However, the balance between slightly bitter coffee and tangy blueberry and sweet vanilla shots was delicious! I’d recommend this drink for anyone who wants a dessert-like coffee, though it was a tad sweet for me.
Pavement
On Central Campus, I secured my Pavement barista’s favorite drink, the Hot Spanish Latte. I usually opt for Death Cream—Pavement’s famous cold brews—and had never tried any of their hot beverages before. But this drink didn’t disappoint with its rich, velvety brew and delicious caramel flavor. If you’re over the seasonal fall drinks of pumpkin spice and maple syrup, I highly recommend this smooth latte for your cozy study sessions!
Saxby’s
CDS Saxby’s is my most frequented cafe as I spend most of my time on East Campus so I’ve had my fair share of drinks from their menu. Yet, I couldn’t have been more surprised when greeted with a Hot Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha; finally, the winter drinks are here! The barista and I seem to mutually adore peppermint and chocolate as this was truly love at first sip. I’d also take this as your sign to try Saxby’s seasonal beverage menu.
Blank Street Coffee
Everyone raves about Blank Street Coffee, but I’ve never tried any of them in Boston. So, my expectations were high when I ventured to the cafe on Boylston Street. After waiting in line, the barista gave me a Blank Street “classic”: the Iced Pistachio Latte with Oat Milk. I devoured this latte! The pistachio, of course, was a standout flavor and mixed beautifully with the creamy oat and smooth coffee. No wonder this is Blank Street’s “2nd Most Liked” drink!
Ranging from secret menu items to the tried-and-true, these drinks gave me a taste of each coffee shop on and near BU’s campus. I can confidently say that baristas do know best when it comes to coffee, as I believe there’s a drink for everyone on this list. And if you’re interested in my favorite drink on this list, it would have to be Blank Street’s Iced Pistachio Latte with Oat Milk, a true classic with a twist!
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