Having a coffee date penciled in for the day is an immediate mood booster for social butterflies and espresso fans alike. However, the bitter taste of an Americano or black coffee can feel too intense for the occasion. An overly sweet beverage is all but required to match the sweet feeling of chatting with a friend at a local coffee shop or romanticizing doing schoolwork outside.
With an array of coffee stop options in Athens, knowing the best sweet and lower-caffeine drinks at every popular spot is a time-saver when ordering. Here are some of the best sweet drink options around Athens, all from local coffee places and various amounts of caffeine.
Rise n’ Grind Hazelnut Iced Latte
The least sweet option on this list is the Rise n’ Grind Hazelnut latte, the perfect caffeine fix for the weak coffee drinker. Specifically in the summer, an iced latte from Rise n’ Grind coffee truck is a good drink option when strolling on College Green or on the way to class. It runs a little more espresso-tasting or bitter than some of the other recommendations, partly because of the espresso taste. However, it offers a refreshing sweet-tasting drink without an intense chocolate flavor as an iced mocha.
Rise n’ Grind’s coffee is from Dirty Girl Coffee, a Glouster coffee company focused on supporting women’s economic progress in Appalachia. The Snickers Latte is another good option made with a mix of hazelnut, chocolate and peanut butter syrup for an even sweeter alternative from the coffee truck. The iced hazelnut latte in the truck’s medium size, referred to as a large, is $5.50 with whole milk.
Chai from Donkey Coffee
An Athens classic, Donkey Coffee’s chai is a perfect low-caffeine option for any time of the day. Specifically in the fall months, the pumpkin chai is the perfect fall drink to have in hand when watching leaves fall or studying outside. Also available in vanilla and spiced variations, Donkey’s chai is a cup of autumn for sweet tooths all year. The chai is also sold as a to-go mix for $11.95, able to be made from home or shared with out-of-town family and friends. When made in-house, a small chai is $4.85.
Olipop from Kindred Market
Kindred Market, located at 284 E State St, is a walkable off-campus destination for ingredients, snacks and drinks differing from the options at the dining hall or Court Street locations. Going to Kindred Market to pick up a flavor of Olipop, with prices under $3, mid-walk is the perfect outing or catch-up with friends.
Flavors vary, but personal favorites are Strawberry Vanilla, Vintage Cola and Ridge Rush. Pairing an Olipop with a friend and a walk is the perfect recipe for a calm evening or afternoon. It is also a less-caffeinated option compared to traditional sodas, with only three flavors having 50 mg of caffeine: Vintage Cola, Cherry Cola and Dr. Goodwin. Every other flavor is caffeine-free.
Mocha from Brenen’s Coffee Cafe
The sweetest option on this list, a mocha from Brenen's, is a sweet year-round option for chocolate milk fans and coffee lovers. With a hot or iced version and three size options: 12 oz, 16 oz and 20 oz, the iced mocha is the perfect mix of espresso and chocolate. A 12 oz iced mocha is $4.55. Brenen’s also features seasonal mocha options during the year, now highlighting the cinnamon mocha in the fall. Brenen’s menu also has many sweet espresso options and signature drinks.
Iced Matcha from Donkey Coffee
An iced matcha is the ideal go-to morning order and a recently found love. Donkey Coffee’s matcha is unmatched in flavor and potency compared to other matcha servers in Athens, with a more saturated shade of green. Donkey’s matcha is usually less caffeinated than a typical iced latte or coffee order and can be ordered anytime. The iced matcha with whole milk uncovers the strongest green tea flavor, but oat milk is another good alternative.
If plain matcha is too bland-tasting for personal taste, adding other flavors is also an option. For extra sweetness, you can add hazelnut syrup. Lavender syrup is another good option for a floral twist. A small iced whole-milk matcha, with no added syrup, is $4.85.
Along with many other things in Athens, there is still more to explore regarding local sweet drinks. As fall rolls around and cinnamon, pumpkin and apple flavors come into full swing, there are bound to be plenty more options to add to this list. These five drinks, however, are good all-year options to try out when wanting a sweet treat or drink, and all simple ways to sweeten the day.
