Calling all caffeine connoisseurs, National Coffee Day is coming up on Friday, October 1, and whether you are a casual coffee drinker or can’t get through a day without (at least) one cup of joe, these San Diego spots offer out-of-the-box ways to get your coffee fix.
If you’re downtown, Spill the Beans on Market Street, as well as on Harbor Drive in Seaport Village, has some specials that are sure to get you ready for this upcoming fall season and amped up for your day! Try the Maple Blondie with maple, brown sugar, white chocolate espresso, and milk. Or, opt for the Basic Witch with pumpkin, vanilla, espresso, and milk ‘potion.’
Eggies has four convenient San Diego locations to get you pumped full of coffee! Stop by East Village, Pacific Beach, Liberty Station, or North Park, and grab a Nitro Cold Brew. Eggies also has fun Mood Cups for their hot drinks, where you can twist the sleeve to see different facial expressions and pick which best represents your mood!
Need something with a little extra KICK in the morning to go with that caffeine? Shake & Muddle, in Chula Vista, offers an eye-opening Bang-Bang Martini, made with Kahlua, Ketel One Vodka, Godiva Liqueur, cashew orgeat, and agave organic espresso made by their sister location, Agave Coffee & Café.
GrindHouse, also in Chula Vista on Third Avenue, has several fall specials for your enjoyment, including a Salted Caramel Cold Brew, Pumpkin Cream White Mocha, and an All-Spice Chai Latte. Pair with any of GrindHouse’s assorted pastries, including vegan options, delivered fresh from local bakers.
Meet your friends at AleSmith Brewing in Miramar. They are pouring their special edition Speedway Stout, a delicious stout made with Mexican dark chocolate, sea salt, and Mexican coffee. This is the perfect combo for those that love beer and coffee! The Speedway Stout can also be found at many local restaurants, bars, and stores across the city, just check AleSmith’s website for locations.
You’ve decided to finish celebrating National Coffee Day in Pacific Beach and you’re looking for something with the perfect balance of caffeine and flavor. Look no further than Duck Dive, on Mission Boulevard, a happening beach eatery and bar serving up the beloved Deja Brew. This tasty, must-try cocktail is made with Haku Vodka, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, Modern Times Cold Brew, Coco Lopez, Crème de Cacao, and fresh vanilla.
Coffee cocktails are meant to be enjoyed any time of day and the Carajillo, which originated in Spain and is now popular in several Latin-American countries, including Columbia and Mexico, is popping up at some of the hottest restaurants in town. Traditionally made with Espresso and Licor 43, a sweet Spanish Liquor, coffee drinkers can find the trending cocktail at Madison on Park, in University Heights, and Little Italy’s Barbusa. Madison invites guests to imbibe in their Carajillo in honor of National Coffee Day, keeping the cocktail classic, simply adding Orange Peel to the Espresso and Licor 43, to bring out the citrus notes in the liquor. At Barbusa, it’s an off menu cocktail that regulars have found keeps them going for long evenings at the lively restaurant. Ideal for both a cozy night sipping cocktails with friends, or as a way to energize yourself before a night out on the town, the Carajillo is the perfect way to celebrate National Coffee Day, and kick off your weekend.
For a swanky coffee cocktail experience, head to Neighborhood, the East Village gastropub with a creative, ever evolving menu and expertly crafted drinks. While indulging in a Hood Burger or Steak Tartare, ask for the Dominicana, an off-menu exclusive cocktail with a similar flavor profile to the ever-trendy Espresso Martini. This rum and coffee liqueur based cocktail has a rich coffee flavor, topped with velvety whipped cream. Alternatively, if the extensive tap wall catches your eye, opt for a specialty “brew” flavored brew like the Fremont Coffee Cinnamon B-Bomb, infused with cold brew, cinnamon bark, and bourbon, or Vietnamese-Coffee-Inspired Alesmith Speedway Stoudt, a pitch-black brew using locally roasted coffee and notes of dark chocolate, toffee, and caramel.
Photo Credit: James Tran
Drinking coffee isn’t the only way to enjoy that smooth, rich flavor or alter your mood. Kaneh Co., the locally based gourmet cannabis edibles brand known for their tasty cannabis infused edibles, has coffee lovers covered with their Café Con Leche White Chocolates. Part of their chocolate confections line, the Café Con Leche White Chocolates are infused with 10mg of THC and made with white chocolate and coffee beans. These tasty coffee-spiked edibles feature milky white chocolate infused with Brazilian Espresso and Mexican vanilla beans, for a yummy jolt to your National Coffee Day experience.
Communal, a creative-minded cafe and shop with two locations in San Diego and a third opening soon in Oceanside, is celebrating this National Coffee Day with seasonal specials to get you in the Fall spirit. Stop by your neighborhood Communal and enjoy buy one, get one half off specialty lattes including Fall favorites like the Pumpkin Spice, Vanilla Bean, Salted Caramel and more.
