Raleigh’s coffee scene has gained much attention in recent years, further developing its reputation as a paradise for lovers of all things java. However, for students, the wealth of available options can seem overwhelming. “Which espresso beverages are trending?” “What coffee shops offer tasty non-coffee drinks?”And so on. Below is a — tested — list of drinks to try at local coffee shops within walking distance to main campus that are all too easy to indulge in.
Liquid State
Liquid State is everything a coffee shop should be. With charming chalkboard menus, mismatched light fixtures and a wealth of exploratory, as well as classic, menu items, it is impossible to ignore. Further making it stand out is its wealth of beer and wine options. With over 30 different wines and over 28 beer options, there is no shortage of alcoholic pick me ups.
On tap, the coffee-wine-and-beer shop boasts deliciously unique brews. For those looking to cool off with an ice-cold beer, try either the Ace Pineapple Cider or Highland Tart Raspberry Ale. Both options encapsulate the beauty of summer in their fruity notes, making for the perfect summer ale.
In terms of coffee, Liquid State’s Thai Iced Coffee is a must-try for those with a sweet tooth. Served on a bright-white platter, a Thai Iced Coffee — which blends sweetened condensed milk and espresso — is effortlessly sophisticated, utterly cultural and, of course, delicious. Another notable choice, this one being for non-coffee drinkers, is the Matcha Latte. The pastel-green Japanese drink has been taking the U.S. by storm, and Liquid State’s adaptation is nothing short of impressive. Full of nutrients, antioxidants and amino acids, this green-tea encompassing drink leaves no room for guilt.
Jessica McGinley, barista at Liquid State, has developed a few personal favorites on the shop’s extensive menu.
“I typically like the honey lavender latte,” McGinley said. “It’s really popular. We also started to carry this new drink with ice cream, which is two scoops of ice cream with espresso poured over it. That’s really good.”
Further developing the shop’s pristine reputation is its striving for comfortability — an idea McGinley affirms.
“It’s a very inclusive environment,” McGinley said. “It’s very open, and that’s the goal for the entire shop.”
Cup A Joe
For many students, grabbing a drink from Cup A Joe on the way to class has become a long-standing ritual of sorts. The local coffee shop acts as a cultural hub of indie flair, with comfy couches and local band posters plastered upon the walls. Along with an atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile, Cup A Joe boasts a well-crafted menu full of hot, iced, coffee and non-coffee drinks bound to satisfy. General manager Brock Coffee has been a part of Cup A Joe for 17 years now, and has developed a sense for what his regulars enjoy.
“Our iced mochas are really popular,” Coffee said. “Our milkshakes are really good too, along with our Chai Fusions which are Chai teas with espresso.”
Whether it’s for a quick pick me up or for a lengthy study session, Cup A Joe’s Iced Chai Tea Latte is the way to go. Undeniably refreshing, the Iced Chai Tea Latte is sweet and creamy with a hint of spice — for the full experience, ask for whipped cream on top.
Another drink that proves extra tasty, and perfect for beating the summer heat, is Cup A Joe’s Mocha Joe Shake. This mocha-milkshake concoction is a must-try for those looking to satisfy the taste buds with a perfectly blended drink. Coffee sheds light on Cup A Joe’s upcoming fall and winter drinks.
“We do a pumpkin Chai in the fall and a peppermint drink in the winter, and we might be coming up with some other things too,” Coffee said.
Global Village Organic Coffee
Hillsborough Street’s Global Village has been serving up signature beverages, with an international twist, for 17 years. The hidden gem is uniquely decorated with shelves full of pottery, walls lined with abstract artwork and a vintage gumball machine stuffed with coffee-flavored treats. At Global Village, there’s no shortage of culturally inspired beverages to choose from, much of which was a result of owner Mike Ritchey’s international travels. Ritchey started Global Village after seeing an opportunity in the field of organic coffee — a field that, at the time, was relatively unexplored. Now, Global Village has a pristine reputation of bringing only the freshest of coffee to locals.
“All of our coffees are organic, and a lot of it I buy directly from the farms,” Ritchey said. “Our teas are all organic, our milk is all organic, so we really focus on organic and local and preparing everything ourselves so we know what’s in it.”
At Global Village, a Vietnamese Iced Coffee is always a good option, as it blends espresso and milk in a classic Vietnamese-style drink. Another internationally-inspired option is the Mocha Vienna, which features espresso, steamed milk, rich chocolate and orange syrup. The cafe also holds non-coffee drinks, such as house-made fruit smoothies and freshly brewed organic teas.
As Ritchey travelled across Europe, and through some of Asia, throughout his lifetime, he grew to value the global aspect of his shop. Ultimately, its culturally diverse atmosphere, which shines through its atmosphere and drinks, is what makes Global Village stand out amongst the wealth of coffee shops here in Raleigh.
“We call ourselves Global Village because we embrace the global community, and we try to do things as you would see them in other cultures,” Ritchey said.
Jubala Coffee
Jubala has made its mark in Raleigh’s coffee scene with its modernity, striving for quality and healthy food options. The coffee shop’s clean and crisp aesthetic further marks it as a hip, coming of age study, or a hangout spot for students. As for the coffee, a cult classic latte is the way to go. Jubala’s baristas are more like well-trained artists, as they can be found swirling cream and espresso to make Instagram-worthy lattes that are just as delicious as they are visually pleasing. For a more specialized taste, try either the Vanilla or Almond Latte. Both are bound to warm from the inside out and, simply put, are autumn in a cup.
Brian Franklin, assistant manager of Jubala Coffee, said the coffee shop’s mission is centered on both quality and consistency. This means bringing locals what they want not only through high-quality adaptations of coffee favorites, but by developing a sense for innovative seasonal trends.
“The coffee lemonade has really been my favorite. It’s one of our more fun drinks,” Franklin said. “There has been other shops doing a coffee lemonade, so it’s really just been us finding out how to do it in a way that’s representative of us and our brand.”
To fully utilize all Jubala Coffee has to offer, pair any of their signature drinks with one of their much talked about waffles. The banana Nutella or cinnamon waffles act as excellent choices, especially when paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — who said it had to be Friday in order to treat yourself?
Julianne Gonski, a barista for Jubala Coffee on Hillsborough Street, mixes a latte with a design made from steamed whole milk. Gonski studied Art and Design and graduated from NC State in 2009.
