It’s no secret that Americans love their coffee. The love affair with this hot caffeinated drink has lasted several years. Some love getting their coffee at Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, or Tim Horton’s. Others prefer to brew it at home with their own coffee makers or pour overs like these.
Four years ago, Quartz released a map of which Starbucks drinks were the most popular throughout the country. It’s funny to see the varying tastes among the map. More of the warmer states tend to order iced coffee while the colder states like their hot cup of coffee.
There’s also a divide among dark vs. light. Cities like Philadelphia and Chicago prefer light roasts while Boston and Seattle would rather drink dark roasts. It’s unclear if it’s more of geographic preference.
Whether you like your coffee dark or light, here are some of the most popular coffee drinks in the United States. You can enjoy these popular drinks at home or your local coffee shop. Thanks to this list, you can order each of these drinks and know what to expect. It’s the perfect guide for newbies and novices alike.
Americano
According to Daily Cupo Coffee Blog investigation, Americano is on a list of the best coffee drinks in the U.S. This coffee drink got its name because it’s made from diluting espresso with water. This coffee drink is especially popular in the Seattle area where they love espresso. If you want the jolt that espresso provides, then give Americano a try. It’s a hit because it’s closer to what Americans brew at home.
Breva
Breva is another name for Caffè Breve. This coffee drink is espresso that’s made with half foam and half coffee. It’s richer and creamier than the other drinks on its list. It makes the perfect dessert rather than a morning cup of Joe. It’s not something you’ll want to drink every day as it’s very sweet. It’s a sweet treat to come home to after a long day at work.
Café Au Lait
If you like your coffee with milk, then you’ll like the Café au Lait. It’s a strong coffee that’s mixed with warm milk. It’s not as strong as espresso or Americano though. This relatively simple and easy to make drink is delicious to enjoy on a cold winter day.
Cappuccino
Cappuccino is basically espresso mixed with steamed milk and milk foam. To make this drink, you need to have equal amounts of espresso, milk foam, and steamed milk. If you want a stronger drink that’s also creamy, then a cappuccino is right up your alley. The frappucino, which is basically an iced cappuccino, is popular in San Antonio, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Californians especially love their cappuccino.
Latte
The latte is similar to cappuccino and macchiato. This coffee drink consists of espresso, milk foam, and steamed milk. But there’s less milk foam on top. You can order this at the cafe, or make it at home on an espresso machine. If you don’t want too much cream, you can mix it with almond or soy milk. The latte is especially popular with coffee drinkers in Charlotte, San Francisco, Portland, Minneapolis, and Denver.
Macchiato
Macchiato is another name for stained milk. It got its name because it looks like stained milk when mixed with espresso. The macchiato is a hit among cafes and coffee shops across America. The iced caramel macchiato is a hit in Phoenix, AZ. It’s different from espresso, in which the steam milk goes in first, then the espresso and the milk foam. It has a beautiful layer effect, which is why macchiatos are often seen in tall glasses.
Mocha
Chocolate lovers rejoice. This coffee drink is for you. While mocha is like drinking cappuccino except the steamed milk is replaced with hot chocolate. Some coffee places will add straight hot chocolate to this drink while others will just add chocolate syrup.
This completes the list of some of the most popular coffee drinks in the United States. Check out some of these drinks for yourself. Remember to enjoy in moderation. You don’t want to get caffeine high from having too much coffee throughout the day.
