Remember those days when you would slide into a chair at your favorite local shop and linger over a latte, casually browsing the paper and texting your pals? Yeah, we don’t either. If most often your stops at the coffee shop involve a series of, “Can we have?” try one of these non-coffee drinks that still afford you the luxury of, well, getting a coffee at all. Scroll down for our #NationalCoffeeDay kid-friendly list.
photo: Kathy Kimpel via flickr
Starbucks
Along with flavored steamed milk and Pumpkin Spice Creme, the Mini Strawberries & Creme Frappucino might already be on your radar. Starbucks, famously, also has many off-menu items. Ask about the Fruity Pebbles, Captain Crunch Berry or Cotton Candy Frappucino. The secret menu also features Fruit Roll Up, Sour Gummy Worm & Pixy Stix Refreshers.
Tip: Secret menus are basically off-menu items and it’s entirely possible that your barista will meet your request with a blank stare. It never hurts to ask, but just be prepared for the possibility that you may not get the illusive item.
Peets
This San Francisco Bay Area chain is rapidly expanding and one of their specialty non-coffee drinks, the Madagascar Vanilla Steamer, is as delicious as they come.
Dunkin Donuts
Next time you find yourself (suddenly) in a Dunkin Donuts order the kids something extra special like the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. Because donuts don’t have enough sugar.
Colectivo
This Wisconsin chain will froth up a steamer for your littles: steamed milk with any flavor syrup added to it.
Dunn Brothers Coffee
Along with your own double-latte, order up a kid’s sized hot cocoa that is much less overwhelming than the regular size.
Caribou Coffee
This shop features a secret menu item so yummy you might just order one for yourself. The Hot Apple Blast is apple cider and caramel flavor topped with whipped cream, caramel and cinnamon.
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Not surprisingly they have a whole host of non-caffeinated teas including cherry or mint. They also offer a selection of coffee-free iced drinks, like Pure Vanilla, Mango and Pure Double Chocolate.
Tully’s
Tully’s offers delicious hot chocolates but they also feature a lovely cup of steamed milk with enough foam it might fool your lil’ sippers into thinking it’s whipped cream.
Tim Horton’s
Rumor has it you can ask for chocolate whipped cream on your hot chocolate. Your welcome.
What wonders does your favorite coffee shop whip up just for the kids? Share with us for #nationalcoffeeday #redtricycle.
—Amber Guetebier
