I’m a coffee novice. In fact, I didn’t start drinking coffee until late last year. I typically make it in the morning, pour myself a half-cup, add a dash of mocha almond milk, and nurse it for most of the day.
Occasionally we’ll treat ourselves to Starbucks (I like how you can modify pretty much everything about their drinks, including the option to decrease the number of sugary “pumps”) or Kaldi’s (their autumn horchata latte is delicious). But I haven’t ventured much beyond that.
However, some friends mentioned that a Blueprint Coffee had opened a few minutes’ drive away. I had heard about Blueprint a few years ago while listening to a podcast about startups. As I recall, they started in California, and they’re known for really, really good coffee.
So I picked up a jug of cold brew from Blueprint the other day and tried it. It definitely has quite a bit of flavor too it, along with a strong bitter taste (which I think is more about the nature of cold brew than Blueprint itself). I don’t want to judge Blueprint solely by its cold brew, and I definitely need to try a regular cup of coffee from them sometime. But I don’t think I would order the cold brew again. I’m sure it’s tasty to a refined coffee drinker, but that’s not me.
Have you tried Blueprint? If so, what’s your favorite drink there?
I’m not a coffee expert by any means, but I’ve always read that cold brew is supposed to be smoother and less bitter than regular coffee because it’s not being brewed at a high temp. That’s certainly been my experience with cold brew in general, so just be aware of that for next time. If you thought their cold brew was bitter, the hot coffee may be even worse!
That’s very good to know! 🙂
Welcome to the club. You will eventually come to comprehend my “csc swill” e-mail from October 11, 2011 at 6:22pm.
You have not yet reached the noble rank where you no longer say “treat ourselves to Starbucks”. You will get there my son.
Please never say “pumps” again. Your words disgrace that what is holy :-). Repeat after me. Latte. Flat white.
I will try your Blueprint Coffee. At dawn I will don the mask and venture to the Blueprint Coffee and partake in the recommended establishment. I ask in return, that you try my favorite, La Cosecha Coffee Roasters in Maplewood on Manchester.
Ha ha…Latte. Flat white. 🙂
Don the mask, my friend…and order online for pickup at the table out front (but call when you get close so they know you’re almost there). I look forward to trying La Cosecha!
All snarkyness aside, I went to Blueprint on Watson this morning as promised. Since it was morning, I got my usual latte and also picked up a bag of whole beans for my machine at home.
The Watson location is unique. They bought a 3 bay service station and converted one bay into their counter and the other two bays into a seating area. And now they have outside seating too. Whenver I travel, I look for places like this to get my morning coffee.
The latte was top-notch as expected. At a place like this, if they can’t make a basic espresso drink something is really wrong.
As far as cold brews go, to dig up one of your blog posts from 2011, it’s a lot like drinking unsweetened ice tea. It’s going to be bitter, and that’s part of the point. That’s the flavor you’re looking for. You could also liken it to drinking whiskey on the rocks vs a whiskey sour. It’s somewhat of an acquired taste.
I make my own cold brew now – especially for these hot summer days at home. I still want my morning coffee to be hot, but around noon a cold brew is perfect. Gotta watch the clock thought because if it gets too late in the afternoon I’ll be up all night.
Thanks for giving it a try, John! I’m very curious to try their lattes now.
I used to work in the Loop and I LOVE Blueprint. I admit it took me a while to make it inside, because it seemed like a fancy place for only coffee drinkers and I am not one. But once I got over myself, I discovered they have, hands down, the best chai latte (my drink of choice) of anywhere I’ve ever been. And their food is also incredible. I’ve watched their company for a few years and have been impressed with their choices and partnerships. Miss being right next to them!
I will have to try the chai latte next time—thanks for the recommendation!
I tried Blueprint’s chai latte, and it was delicious!
Nice! Way to follow through 🙂 I am going to have to make a trip soon!