On a scale from one to ten, I’d say my level of coffee-dependence is about a five. I don’t suffer from the full-on withdrawals that some folks experience, but I am addicted to the routine of drinking coffee. I love the meditative process of pulling a shot of espresso before sitting down at my desk in the morning, and relish the comforting warmth of my daily cappuccino as I start the day’s work.
Some of our favorite coffee alternatives
That said, while I don’t see myself forgoing my morning cup of joe anytime soon, I’ve found myself turning to other soothing beverage options when I need a midday pick-me-up. And I’m not alone: Lots of people—inluding many of my fellow BA staffers—are swapping coffee for other drinks these days. Some do this to lower their caffeine intake, some are looking to avoid digestive upset, and some are just trying to shake up their routines.
Whatever the case, the world of hot (and not-hot) bevs is ever-changing, and there’s truly something out there for everyone no matter your caffeine and flavor preferences. Read on for all the coffee alternatives my colleagues and I are fixating on right now, from energy-boosting latte blends to decaf options you can sip before bedtime. Who knows, you might even find one that’ll give your typical brew a run for its money.
Some caffeine
Atlas Latte Superblend
OK, technically this isn’t a coffee alternative because it does, in fact, contain coffee. But Atlas Coffee’s latte superblend is a delicious drink that mixes up almost instantly. It’s got about half the caffeine of a cup of coffee and a nice coconut flavor thanks to a bit of powdered coconut milk, and, importantly for a mushroom coffee, not too much fungi flavor despite the inclusion of lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps. I am not a professional dietitian or food scientist, so I won’t claim with any certainty whether or not the purported benefits (like higher energy levels or better focus) that are the calling cards of the recent mushroom coffee phenomenon are real (I found myself awake but not jittery after drinking it for a couple weeks), but if you’re trying to get out of a coffee shop latte habit this might give you a nice boost. —Noah Kaufman, senior commerce editor
Blume Matcha Coconut Latte
I’ve always loved matcha, but lately I’ve been craving it even more than my typical coffee (which is saying something!). While I’m no stranger to whisking up a plain, frothy cup of the stuff, lately I’ve been loving this blend from Blume as an afternoon treat. The coconut milk powder adds a creaminess that plays nicely off the earthy matcha, and I like the addition of moringa leaf for a little vitamin and antioxidant boost. But my favorite thing about the Blume blend? Unlike a lot of other superfood latte blends on the market, this one doesn’t include any sweeteners. As someone who has a particular aversion to monk fruit, which is so often used in products like this, that’s a huge win for me. —Alaina Chou, commerce writer
Spicewalla Chai Pani Ginger Chai Blend
This drink is so many beautiful things at once. When brewed with both milk and water, the cardamom-rich spice blend spreads a soothing warmth through my entire soul. Ginger provides a bright but gentle spice on the finish. Sweetener is optional, but I’ve found the right amount of sugar can make a mug of this chai dangerously irresistible, while also providing an absolutely ideal afternoon caffeine boost. —Dan Siegel, senior director of creative development
Firebelly Tea No Ordinary Joe
“This tea is WILD,” I told my boyfriend, sipping away on the couch one morning. The combination of bitter yerba mate and dark cacao shells, sweet licorice root, roasted chicory root, and dandelion made this herbaceous brew taste so uncannily coffeelike that bleary-eyed me could barely tell the difference. Pair this one with milk and sugar if you like your coffee on the sweeter side.—Ali Francis, contributor
A lot less caffeine
Hojicha latte
I love my friends for many things, lately it has been for their role in converting me into a hojicha latte believer. Coffee has never been my thing, in part because it gives me the shakes and in part because of the acrobatics it brings to my gut. I thought latte-like drinks were a no-go for me, but that all changed when I tried the hojicha latte at the Hideout Chai Bar in the Lower East Side. The first sip of that latte brought me everything I never knew I needed: a floral, nutty, almost chocolate-like joy. The hojicha was so earthy and coated my tongue, clinging to the fattiness of the oat milk. Ever since, I’ve made sure to keep a stash of Ocha & Co.'s hojicha powder on hand. The roasted green tea has a far lower caffeine content than its cousin matcha, making it an excellent option for anyone looking to avoid the jitters while still getting their latte fix. —Inés Anguiano, associate test kitchen manager
Golde Cacao Turmeric Latte
Golde’s Cacao Turmeric latte blend tastes like hot chocolate with the halo of some added health benefits. It also packs a warm spiced punch thanks to a generous amount of ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper. I love how there’s already a coconut milk powder base so it’s creamy even when mixed with just hot water—but it’s also great added to milk, coffee, or a smoothie. —Kate Kassin, editorial operations manager
Caffeine-free
Nestlé Pensal Cevada
When Postum began waning from beverage aisle shelves in the late 2010s, I was crushed. As a lifelong non-coffee drinker, I debated turning to shadowy resellers for sourcing my warm, molassesy treat. Little did I know that I was just one Portuguese supermarket away from finding its perfect match. During a recent trip to Porto, I caught a glimpse of that unmistakable brown of this pulverized grain-based beverage—brighter and less crystalized than instant coffee—and came to know my new (and improved) cozy drink: Nestlé Pensal. Made of toasted ground barley, Pensal has a velvety smooth texture and warming nuttiness from the toasted grain. It’s especially good with a bit of steamed oat milk to add some richness to each comforting sip. —Andrea Farr, post production coordinator
Anima Mundi Golden Moon Milk
When I want a warming, soothing afternoon drink, I turn to Anima Mundi’s Golden Moon Milk. Unlike most golden milks, it’s not just turmeric and a few added spices. Anima Mundi adds in functional ingredients like reishi, ashwagandha, blue lotus flower, and lavender for relaxation and anti-inflammation. It's like a deep exhale in a cup. I like it best added into my alt milk of choice and warmed up with a drop of maple syrup. —K.K.
Fennel ginger tea
To quell my anxiety and overall digestive health, I've been trying to reduce caffeine in my daily life. What I loved most about coffee, truthfully, was the ritual and drinking something warm. That's where fennel and ginger tea comes in. I inherited a beautiful glass tea pot and have now created a ritual around boiling water and steeping whole Diaspora Co. fennel seeds and fresh ginger for 10-12 minutes. The fennel offers a little sweetness and can help with digestion. —Urmila Ramakrishnan, associate director of social media
Clevr Sleeptime Latte
Clevr has a ton of adaptogen-laced drink products and most of the ones I’ve tried I did not love. But the Sleeptime Latte is a different story. It’s creamy and, though the flavor largely comes from coconut milk powder, chicory, and carob, it tastes a bit like a weak hot cocoa (in the world of superfood lattes I think that is a serious compliment). But it’s not just the taste, it’s the function. Like I said about the mushroom coffee latte from Atlas, I can’t speak to the scientific grounding of any of the health claims—but I can say that every time I had a Sleeptime Latte I got deeply restful sleep, even if I was feeling particularly stressed. —N.K.
Interested in regular coffee? We’ve got you covered there too
Never run out of beans again.
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