How many different coffee drinks are on your local coffee shop’s menu? Chances are the number is pretty high! Coffee drinks cover a broad spectrum of flavors and preferences, and it can be easy to get lost in the sheer volume of choices you can make.
Whether you’re a seasoned coffee drinker who gets the same drink every time or just beginning your exploration into the wide world of java, this article is for you! We’ll walk you through the different options you have when it comes to coffee and give you the information to decide what’s right for you.
Pull up a chair, pour a cup of joe, and let’s get started!
The First Choice
Before you even select your coffee cup, you have a decision that will affect your entire coffee experience; what bean you want to use. The good news is, you only have two types of coffee beans to choose from.
The majority of the coffee we consume globally comes from two species of coffee, known as Arabica and Robusta, respectively. These beans can make a big difference in your coffee, depending on the coffee drink you’re looking for.
Now that we’ve sorted out the types of beans you should be aware of, let’s break down our coffee drinks into categories.
Black Coffee
Our first category is predictably the most straightforward category of coffees. These coffees are relatively uncomplicated and are the personification of the phrase “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” All you’ll need for any of these drinks is hot water and ground coffee beans.
Pretty straightforward, right? Black coffee is the easiest choice when it comes to coffee drinks, but if you’re looking for a bit more variety and possibly something sweeter, you should move onto our next category.
Milk-Based Coffee
If you really want to get into the nuanced world of coffee drinks, you will spend most of your time here on milk-based coffee. These drinks can be a bit harder to replicate at home, but you’re sure to find the majority of them at any coffee shop near you.
The Non-Traditionals
The coffees we’ve explored so far make up the majority of your standard coffee choices. There are tons of variations, but generally, the eight types of coffee drinks above dominate the coffee world. They are not, however, your only options! Our final category rounds up the most popular “other” coffees.
- Irish Coffee- Even though it has coffee in the name, this drink is more of a cocktail than anything! Irish coffee is traditionally made of hot coffee, whiskey, and sugar and has become one of the most popular coffee-based cocktails.
- High-Caffeine Coffee- If you’re wondering what type of coffee has the most caffeine, this choice is for you. Because of the current high demand for more potent brews, roasters have created coffee blends with astonishingly high levels of caffeine. While these can vary based on the roasting process, bean type, and specific brand, high-caffeine coffee is almost guaranteed to pack a punch.
- Cold-Brew Coffee- As our favorite and final coffee on this list, cold brew coffee benefits from a (slight) personal bias on our end. Cold brew is made by soaking coarsely ground coffee beans in room temperature water for an extended period of time. We love cold brew for its smooth, rich flavor and natural caffeine levels, resulting from brewing over time, not heat. Just don’t mistake this for iced coffee!
High Brew
At High Brew, we focus on making our coffee delicious and sustainable for adventurers and trend-setters alike. Our specialty cold brew is the perfect solution for anyone on the go or looking for a tasty pick-me-up. We take pride in making a smooth, naturally caffeinated drink for everyone, and we’re excited to share it with you.
