Shine OnRaise your mug! 'Secret menu' drinks for International Coffee Day
Today is International Coffee Day.
To celebrate, we’re looking at some off-menu coffee-drink favourites found at coffee chains across the country.
Starbucks
In a recent survey by Starbucks Canada, more than 20 per cent of respondents admitted to customizing their beverage on their last visit to the café.
Perhaps the most famous of the bunch for its “secret menu,” Starbucks loyalists know countless beverage combinations most of us have never thought of.
One anonymous barista describes the Marble Mocha Macchiato, a twist on the Caramel Macchiato: “White mocha on the bottom with no whip, shot on the top and mocha drizzle.”
The seasonally appropriate Caramel Pumpkin Macchiato is a Caramel Macchiato made with Pumpkin Spice sauce instead of vanilla syrup, and topped with pumpkin spice topping.
The Nutella is a Caffè Misto with an extra pump of chocolate syrup, hazelnut syrup and a caramel drizzle. (The Snickers Frappuccino sounds pretty great, too.)
Discover some Canadian-created “secret” menu items, like the “White Mocha Java Chip Frappuccino blended beverage topped with whipped cream and cookie crumble,” here.
Tim Hortons
At Tim Hortons, a new “secret” favourite is the Dark Café Mocha: half Dark Roast coffee and half hot chocolate.
"I can attest, it is to-die-for especially at about 3 in the afternoon!" public relations manager Michelle Robichaud writes in an email to Shine On.
Regulars also swear by adding chocolate milk to their Iced Capps — or a mint flavour shot.
And those who find the cappuccinos too sweet (but still crave-worthy) tend to order a cup of half coffee, half cappuccino.
(Oh, and technically, a double-double isn’t on the menu either.)
Timothy’s
At Timothy’s World Coffee, a popular non-menu item is the delicious-sounding Red Velvet Latte, made with milk steamed with red velvet powder, poured over an espresso shot, and topped with grated chocolate shavings.
Second Cup
Second Cup regulars like to order the following “secret menu” items:
The Red Eye: Brewed coffee with a shot of espresso.
The Mocha Red Eye: Brewed coffee with a shot of espresso and a pump of chocolate syrup.
A Brewed White/Café au Lait: Half steamed milk, half of your favourite brewed coffee.
Not a coffee person? Try ordering another off-menu favourite: the Marble Hot Chocolate.
Do you order off-menu items? Share your coffee-order hacks in the comments.
While you sip your (second of third) daily cup of joe — don’t worry, it’s probably good for you — learn what it’s doing to your brain in this educational video from ASAP Science:
[embed ASAP Science video]
