Caffeinated: 5 Places in San Antonio to Get Your Coffee Fix

Guest blogger:  Danica Barnett, self-proclaimed Social Media Enthusiast, Coffee Addict, and our youngest daughter. 

Last week, I graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Communication. It wasn’t an easy task, but I managed to get my degree in six semesters while working full-time. As an out-of-state student, it was easy to get homesick and miss all the good food that Texas has to offer, so when my parents offered to fly me home, I jumped at the chance to go back to my roots—especially if it was Fiesta time.

Unfortunately for me, Fiesta is always the weekend before I take my final exams. It’s not easy to balance studying and attending events like NIOSA and the Battle

of the Flowers parade, but with careful time management, caffeine, and a couple of all-nighters, I’m able to find a balance between writing final papers and yelling “show us your shoes!”

 

Fortunately for me, San Antonio is not lacking in coffee shops. From chain caffeine havens to local small businesses, there’s a place for everyone to get their caffeine fixes. Here are just a few of my favorite San Antonio coffee shops and if you’re feeling adventurous, a suggestion for what to order when you get there.

Local Coffee

I discovered  Local Coffee while attending the Pearl Farmer’s Market on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The shop has an inviting indie vibe and when you buy coffee from Local, you are supporting another local business, Merit Roasting Co. Their baked goods sit right at the front of the line, so if you’re too distracted by the tasty treats to decide on a drink, consider ordering a cortado—a espresso to milk ratio of 1:2. If it’s packed inside the coffee shop, take a walk to Twig Bookstore and support an indie bookseller!

PRESS Coffee

When I was interning at the SAISD Foundation through the San Antonio Ambassador Program, PRESS Coffee was my go-to morning coffee stop. If you like coffee shops with a homey feel,

this is the right stop for you. My personal favorite drink is their dirty chai tea latte but be warned—it’s impossible to just get a drink here. If you’re like me, you’ll end up with at least one of their delicious pastries.

Revolucion Coffee & Juice

Have you ever had iced coffee served in a beer bottle? Revolucion is a 100% vegetarian coffee shop and a must-try if you’re a fan of cold-pressed juices. There’s a location downtown and in Alamo Heights. I’m not a huge lavender fan but their Honey Lavender Latte is a drink you have to try while you’re there. Revolucion also offers homemade nut milks so if you need alternatives to milk, you’ll have plenty of options here.

Aspen’s Brew

Aspen’s Brew is my go-to coffee shop on the Northwest Side. Pick up a new read from the Half Price Books down the road and then visit this family-owned coffee shop. If you’re lucky, Aspen, the dog that the shop is named after, might be outside to greet you as you walk in. Aspen’s Brew is the place that made me fall in love with caramel macchiatos—I’ve never ordered anything else from them. The cake is

excellent too, but mine always seems to disappear after a few minutes because it’s so good that I can’t stop eating it.

Starbucks

As a gold star member, I’d be doing you a disservice to not mention the coffee giant (also, Howard Schultz just spoke at my graduation so I’m a huge fan!). Fortunately, there’s a Starbucks within walking distance of The Empty Guester and you’ll probably find one every couple of miles in San

Antonio. During my first summer home from college, I lived at the Starbucks near San Antonio College, where I worked on homework for my online summer classes. You can’t go wrong with a large iced coffee, especially if you are taking advantage of the inexpensive refills for members.

There are so many more coffee shops to try in San Antonio and no matter what neighborhood you’re spending your day in, you’ll always find at least one coffee shop that can help you get some caffeine into your system.

 

 

 

Editor’s Note:  If you’re looking for Greg and I while you are staying at The Empty Guester, we’re probably lounging in our outdoor living room drinking a cup o’Joe.  Brew some of the complimentary coffee in the kitchen and come out and join us.