#I just get a vanilla cream cold brew or a mocha from my local Starbucks

[izzytown]

okay so i had a request to redo my “the fellowship reacts to starbucks” post but with the company (and since this is my niche now, i’m here to provide!)

the premise is mostly the same as the other post, just my silly little headcanons on what the characters would drink at starbucks. i now present to you “the company reacts to starbucks coffee” (part 1/2)

i adore the hobbit, but even though I’ve read the book (and watched the films) a fair number of times, i’m much more well-versed with LOTR characters than i am with those from the hobbit, so bear with me.

note: will not be including gandalf as i’ve already included him in the fellowship’s post - pop over there if you’re curious!

thorin: the grumpy-ass prince himself need not trifle with complicated orders when going to the bux. in fact, i propose he only goes if he’s DRAGGED by his arms and legs by fili and kili during babysitting duty—he gets a dark roast pourover, regardless of what roast is brewed, just because he “respects coffee craft.” you will find him rolling his eyes whenever a frap is ordered, silently mumbling about how his local coffee shop under the lonely mountain is WAY better.

fili: the quieter, more thoughtful sibling, fili is hit or miss on caffeine. if he’s looking for something pretty caffeinated with flavor, i think he goes for an iced brown sugar, toffee nut latte. not too sweet, but very flavorful (just like his personality). if he ain’t feeling a lot of caffeine, he probably gets an iced black tea to have something to sip on while supervising kili's shenanigans. also, he gets a cheese danish as a little snack, it’s canon-

kili: this man is on crack. he’s a kid in a candy store when he walks into starbucks- first off, he gets a birthday cake pop EVERY time without fail (much to thorin’s bank account’s dismay). he’s okay with caffeine, but the taste of coffee is a little much for him, so he cycles through a strawberry açaí lemonade, a vanilla bean frap, a chocolate cookie crumble frap, or an iced chai with cold foam and caramel drizzle. just gallons of pure sugar in a 16oz “coffee” for this guy!

oin: now i know very little about oin, but what I do know is that he seems like he doesn’t give two shits about anyone (respectfully). to me, that sounds like someone who drinks an insane amount of espresso and could care less how long it takes to pull 8 shots. therefore, I propose he drinks a 6-8 shot espresso over ice in a venti cup, with a light splash of cream. the pedro pascal special!

gloin: dark roast is the only acceptable roast of coffee in gloin’s household, how else would gimli acquire his profound appreciation for coffee? gloin tends to go for heavier, powerful drinks, contrasting gimli’s love of a good 'ol cappuccino. gloin’s go-to if there’s no dark roast available is probably a hot black americano with a couple packets of raw sugar, keeping it classic while wanting a drink that packs a punch.

ori: this is the sweetest dwarf you ever did see, and i think his drinks reflect that. not only does he give the vibe of someone who doesn’t drink anything too caffeinated, but he also seems like he has drinks for every season. he’s happy to have a nice chai latte in the autumn, a decaf peppermint white mocha for winter, a peach tranquility tea with two honey packets during the spring, and probably a passion tea lemonade (sweetened with liquid cane) during the summer.

dori: he so slays. dori seems like a mom friend to me, rolling his eyes and being a responsible part of the company, so i’m gonna make the executive decision and say he probably gets a typical “mom” drink, which to me is an iced mocha (or black and white mocha) w/ no whip. or maybe a honey citrus mint tea if he’s feeling sick, trying to cut back on sugar (as if it’s any better for you Lmao)

part 2 is available here

[tveitertotwrites]

Question 1:

Brooklyn: For Dunkin, she usually gets a large cold brew with 5 pumps of vanilla and 5 creams. For Starbucks, she either gets a pink drink or a iced americano. If she goes to a local coffee shop, she gets a iced vanilla latte.

Claire: For Dunkin, she gets a large iced caramel latte with extra caramel and sweet cold foam. For Starbucks, she either gats a strawberry acai refresher with lemonade or caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino. If she goes to a local coffee shop, she gets a large caramel iced latte with whip cream/coldfoam (if they have it).

Adelaide: For Dunkin, she gets a large mocha latte (that becomes a pumpkin latte in the fall). For Starbucks, she either gets an iced chai (with pumpkin when it's fall) or an iced mocha (that becomes an iced pumpkin spice latte in the fall). At a local coffee shop, she'll get a large cold brew with some milk and mocha (which once again becomes pumpkin flavored in the fall).

Question 2:

So for this I had to think a little bit (since I don't listen to many albums, I'll listen to some songs and then disregard the rest). Now I chose the Moulin Rouge! The Musical soundtrack BECAUSE the first half of the album (if you go in chronological order of when the songs happen) is really nice and good and then it all falls from there and currently that's how I feel my life is like right now.

Question 3:

Brooklyn: I think that I would take her to explore my hometown just for fun. I would also tell her about the tv show Braindead (if her and her brother Parker still looked like MEW and AT) but I wouldn't show it to her because of a few scenes in the show (iykyk).

Claire: Because I gave her many things from myself (such as what sports we played, some hobbies, other things I won't mention), I would ask if she's okay and probably ask for advice about adulthood over coffee from the local coffee shop.

Adelaide: I would ask how her and Claire stayed so close over the years. I would also go to the lake with her and just spend the day with some company

Random Question Time (Week 6)

Random Question Time Rules:

Reblog your responses - this ensures that I can see your responses and should allow others to see your responses a little easier as well. There may be some general questions but it will mostly be within the Choices universe.

Be kind to other people - don't hate on someone for what they think fits in their universe and their characters, just because it's not the same as yours, doesn't mean it's wrong.

There will be three questions, you don't have to respond to all of them at once or even at all.

If you aren't currently apart of the tags and you want to be, reblog the post and I can add you (preferably reblog saying that you wanted to be added so that I don't have to assume)

Now anyone can participate at anytime (whether its 2 hours after posting or 5 years later), but if you would like to be tagged, let me know! I will try to have at least one question that most people can answer but I can't guarantee it every time.

Questions and Tags below the break.

Question 1: What is your MC's/OC's go to Dunkin/Starbucks/Coffee Shop Order(s)?

Question 2: If you had to give yourself an album to describe you/your life/your year, which one would it be?

Question 3: If your MC's/OC's were real people. what would be the first thing you would ask/say/do with them?

Perma Tags: @cariantha @delmissesryanandcassi @driverstveit @jerzwriter @liaromancewriter @zealouscanonindeer

[mangora]

What if I made a master post of what every single TD character orders at a coffee shop (except half of them arent coffee) I’m in my iced coffee phase rn heres gen 2 and 3 because if you somehow couldn’t tell theyre my favorites

Jo: Black coffee nothing in it and genuinely likes it that way

Brick: Tries to drink black coffee to be tough but enjoys a good vanilla cream coffee more

Anne Maria: Frappuccino or Caramel Macchiato she likes the most extra drinks

Mike: Probably likes generic iced coffee with cream and sugar or like. Matcha

Zoey: Changes her order all the time but always down for a good brown sugar boba or anything strawberry flavored

Cameron: Not much of a drinks guy in general, but if he had to get something I think he’d enjoy a cappuccino or something with lots of foam, he’d like the texture

Lightning: Also not really a drinks guy but I think he’d enjoy a smoothie with lots of protein powder just because health benefits

Sam: Honestly I think he’d be a black coffee guy, bold take but he seems like he wouldn’t really care about the flavor and just drinks coffee or energy drinks for the caffeine

Dakota: Iced lattes or a white mocha usually, she gets really hyped for seasonal drinks though like peppermint mochas or pumpkin spice anything

Scott: Hates tea and anything fruity or cold. Used to drinking plain instant but likes it with a little sugar if he can get his hands on it.

B: Thorough plain tea enjoyer, maybe earl gray or oolong. He likes leafy flavors over fruity ones

Dawn: Also really into tea but she usually likes plant/nut milk in it, or a green smoothie

Staci: Also a boba liker but will go for any good milk teas. She also likes latte foam art but the actual drink is kinda meh to her

Shawn: Cant have coffee much because it makes his nerves absolutely shot but sometimes he has a black coffee when he’s at a low point

Jasmine: Probably likes iced coffee with a little cream and sugar but likes to try new things every once in a while; mostly a fan of savory drinks and not fruity ones tho

Sammy: Loves a good fruit tea but I imagine she’d go for a smoothie too

Amy: Frappes, but the important part is that she berates the barista the entire time they make her drink

Sky: Chai drinker, also sometimes likes smoothies/juices

Dave: one of those dudes who gets annoyed at girls who drink pumpkin spice. Gets black coffee and hates it every time but drinks it anyways to look cool and mysterious (he’s tearing up the whole time)

Rodney: Will drink whatever you get him, he just likes being included. Has everyone’s orders memorized. Has to rehearse before asking for his drink

Topher: Coffee snob, usually likes iced or frappuccinos but will go for almost anything with cream and sugar as long as it’s high enough quality. Keeps trying to figure out Chris’ order; Chris will not tell him but does recommend him beans. These two get bitchy over the beans.

Ella: Pink drink or a vanilla Frappuccino with no coffee. She can’t have caffeine but likes anything sweet and semi fancy

Leonard: Controversial, I think he’d enjoy specifically smoothies or juices with pineapple. It’s got a magical tang. Or Mochas/hot chocolate which Tammy introduced to him.

Sugar: Any shitty instant coffee honestly, her taste buds are goobered. I do think she’d be anti-tea though. Also probably banana smoothies I just think she’d like them

Beardo: Also likes tea, except for matcha. Probably likes lavender tea or smth best because it’s soothing. I don’t think he’d be opposed to coffee but I think it would be like too much.

Scarlett: I think she’d secretly enjoy those refreshers like the fruit and juice ones, but usually gets tea to feel sophisticated. She likes hot drinks btw

Max: Once again attempts to drink black tea but just hates coffee. Secretly enjoys juice or chocolate milk out of a coffee cup. Everyone knows but doesnt tell him

[temperofheroichearts]

secrets from a starbucks employee

so i work at starbucks and let me tell you, when its not busy, all your local baristas are fucking around and creating drinks like its nobody’s business. here are a few of my favourite drinks that me and my coworkers have tried when we aren't busy serving you your caramel macchiatos and what not:

Chai tea latte no water vanilla (tall=1, grande=2, venti=3) [ALWAYS order the chai w/o water, its so much creamier]

Double Chocolatey Chip Frappuccino sub white mocha heavy cream *OPTIONAL* (i understand it’s really fattening w/ heavy cream but WOW it’s really good) [this one tastes exactly like an oreo, it’s pretty genius actually]

Strawberry Frappuccino no milk sub passiontango tea raspberry syrup no whip [some kid ordered this once and we were all shook at how surprisingly good it was. give it a try, you won't be disappointed]

Custom Tea Latte mint majesty tea sub vanilla [i know what you’re thinking: herbal tea will curdle the milk. IT WON’T. that has never happened to me with this drink and i order it literally all the time]

Syrup Creme Frappuccino cinnamon dolce syrup toffee nut syrup caramel drizzle [my friend said this reminded her of butterbeer from harry potter ??]

Vanilla Bean Frappuccino  hazelnut syrup mocha drizzle  [literally tastes like cake]

ALSO underrated drinks that are real menu items!! Very few people know these exist so i’d like to shed some light on them and what is in them:

Caramel Apple Spice = steamed apple juice, cinnamon dolce syrup, whip cream, and caramel drizzle. basically, apple cider

Blended Strawberry Lemonade = lemonade blended with ice and the strawberry puree used in the strawberry frappuccino. gives off serious slurpee vibes

Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino = vanilla bean frappuccino with frap roast (coffee)

Syrup Creme Frappuccino = you can get a creme based frap (no coffee) with any syrup !!

Violet Drink = very berry hibiscus refresher with coconut milk. SOOO good

Nitro Cold Brew w/ Cascara Cold Foam = cold foam is 2% milk blended with cascara syrup in it, nitro is cold brew infused w/ nitrogen. super good. ask for extra cold foam

Honey Citrus Mint = peach tranquility tea, jade citrus mint tea, honey, hot water, and steamed lemonade. the equivalent to what people call a “medicine ball”

and now, some starbucks tips and info that i feel are widely unknown: - syrups we have all year round:   vanilla (available sugar free)   cinnamon dolce (available sugar free)   toffee nut   hazelnut   caramel   peppermint   raspberry   classic   liquid cane sugar - vanilla & cinnamon dolce are the ONLY SUGAR FREE SYRUPS - trenta (extra large) is only available when you order iced teas or refreshers - if blonde espresso is unavailable, ask for ristretto shots instead. they have a similar flavour. ristretto uses regular espresso but a different setting on the machine so the shots are pulled differently  - when you order nitro cold brew, drink it right away! if you wait, it will settle and the creaminess from the nitrogen will go away leaving you with bitter cold brew - when ordering straight espresso, drink it as soon as possible. espresso shots die approximately 10-15 seconds after they’re pulled. the longer you wait, the more bitter your espresso will be - baristas put sleeves on the cup on when the drink is ordered extra hot, when there is hot water in the recipe, or the cup is a venti cup. don't be frustrated if your grande whatever drink doesn’t have a sleeve! we are not required to put them on everything. ask for one. it is one of the ways starbucks is trying to reduce waste. - not every store has nitro cold brew and not every store as the clover press. stores usually get one or the other. - if you have coffee related questions, ask the barista in the black apron. they’re what we call “coffee masters” and they have to go through special training to get that apron. they know what they’re talking about. you’re taking gamble with the rest of us. just kidding. but seriously ask the one in the black apron first. 

[coffeetalkwithapril-blog]

3 Local Coffeehouses: A Roast Review

A good coffeehouse can be hard to find - not just because of the quality of their joe, but also because they tend to be hidden gems, places you’ve probably passed time and time again on your morning commute but never stopped in. Have no fear, I’ve done all of the coffee taste testng for you - here are three local North Jersey/Lower New York State Coffeehouses that everyone should try.

Sogno Coffeehouse and Creperie - Westwood, New Jersey

Ever wanted a handmade crepe alongside your morning brew? Well then look no further than this family owned gem shining right on Westwood Avenue in their downtown shopping strip. For such a local café, this coffeehouse places great importance on the origin and overall taste of their coffee. Sogno translates roughly to “Coffee Ring” in Italian, which refers to the cultural gathering and socialization that drinking coffee promotes. With an in-house master roaster (that’s a fancy way of saying one guy that just hand picks and brews coffee from dusk til dawn,) and beans imported from various regions across the world (I believe their Arabica blend is God’s greatest gift to this planet,) Sogno is a coffee lover’s heaven on Earth.

The atmosphere of the shop resembles that of an Italian market - with a full service deli, bakery, and café. Upon walking in you’ll smell fresh crepes being assembled, along with a strong coffee aroma. Although small, this place sure is cozy and radiates those Italian New Jerseyan vibes.

Their coffee menu is long and expansive, kind of like the diner of coffees - if you want it, chances are they have it. Some highlights include their various hot chocolate specials - white, dark, peppermint mocha, and nutella & banana to name a few. They also offer a plethora of specialty drinks, such as their Hot Frappe (same as your typical Starbucks Frappe, but with steamed milk and espresso shots poured on top for that hot-cold combo, all topped with whipped cream) Not to mention, they offer a protein powder option to add to your coffee or Frappe. Their full (quite impressive) menu can be found on their website.

Their crepes are a whole other ballgame. Even though this is a coffee blog, we can dip our toes into crepes for a hot minute. Crepes are a thin pastry, with some sort of filling inside. Think of it as making a pancake without the flour that makes it rise. It’s essentially a sweet soft tortilla wrap. Sogno carries both sweet and savory crepes. My favorite, the Jersey Shore, consists of Taylor Ham, egg, and your choice of cheese. But if I’m in the mood for dessert, I go for their Classic Cannoli crepe, filled with their homemade Cannoli cream. Fun fact: they also have the option for you to infuse their Cannoli cream with any coffee beverage. My inner (decaf) five year old tooth is currently doing a series of multiple backflips.

An American Crepe (bacon, egg, and cheddar cheese) with a light roast coffee at Sogno Coffeehouse and Creperie in Westwood, New Jersey

Pro-tip: Get your crepe to-go and then go home and eat it in bed, with your cat. What could be better?

Two Alices Coffee Lounge - Village of Cornwall-On-Hudson, New York and Newburgh, New York

My second recommendation, fittingly enough, is the ever-charming Two Alices Coffee Lounge. With two locations in the Village of Cornwall-On-Hudson and Newburgh, New York, these two shops are both family owned and are exceptionally spacious as far as coffeehouses go. Both locations feature local artists, adorning their walls with their works. All pieces hanging on their walls are for sale. They also host weekly open mic nights and trivia nights. Past 5pm, they serve wine and beer selections, and all day, they offer various bagels, breakfast options, baked goods, homemade soups, and even mac and cheese with salsa. Quirky and artful, these two shops are among the best in the Orange County/Hudson Valley area.

Unlike Sogno, Two Alices Coffee Lounge has plenty of large tables, cozy armchairs, and free WiFi for students to grab a cup of joe and do homework, or just to lounge about with friends. They have a seasonal, rotating specials menu. Recently, they’ve offered specialty drinks such as the Double Double Hot Chocolate (yes, that means two times the chocolate) and the Nutella Latte (mocha and hazelnut, my oh my.)

A latte paired with a Rock Star Bagel (cream cheese, tomato, and cucumber on a sesame bagel) at Two Alices Coffee Lounge in Newburgh, New York

Not into coffee? Two Alices carries a variety of assorted organic loose leaf teas if that’s more your jam. Vanilla Black, Peach White, and Green Mint Tea are among some of my personal favorites.

Art Cafe, Nyack, New York

Looking for a warm and cozy place to sip on a hot coffee, try something new, or just exist and be a hipster? Art Cafe in the village of Nyack, New York is a millenial’s dream. It’s a little known fact that all of their baristas are employed full-time, and are required to complete a training course at the Counter Culture Coffee Headquarters in New York City in order to work there as a barista. These folks are super friendly, inviting, and know their stuff - so if you’re going to be adventurous and bold but want to know that there will be a smiling face there to help you at the bar, Art Café is the place to go.

Inspired by typical cafés found in Tel Aviv, Art Café only uses fresh, natural, organic ingredients in both their coffee and dishes. The café has a lot going on inside and out - you can go in for a sit down meal, or just a cup of tasty joe from their selection of Counter Culture Coffee Beans. Their menu consists of traditional Israeli food with their own twists. But this is a coffee blog, so let's move onto the drinks.

A beautifully crafted 12 oz. latte from Art Café in the village of Nyack, New York

Art Café’s main coffee menu is standard: they have your traditional latte, cappuccino, and a few different in-house brews. However, they have a separate menu where they carry specialty beverages. My all time favorite is their New Orleans style Iced Coffee. This takes a few minutes to make as they’re brewed per the cup, but if you have some time to spare, it is absolutely worth the wait. Your barista will hand-brew the iced coffee by making a pour over - pouring water directly over coffee grounds that will immediately brew into your ice filled cup. The ice cubes are typically larger, which causes them to melt slower and stay above your coffee at the top of your cup, longer. They will then add a small amount of milk of your choice. To top it off, roasted chicory and organic cane sugar is infused for that sweet, bright, earthy flavor. It is certainly a treat.

So the next time you’re craving some coffee, try something new at one of these local hotspots. Treat yourself. And remember to tip your baristas! Comment below your favorite coffeehouse.