For most college students, caffeine is a necessity. At Franciscan University, that means frequenting Clear Creek Coffee, the little coffee shop in heart of campus. Students come to hang out, do homework and, of course, try new coffees.
Every student has a unique coffee preference. Clear Creek offers so many different flavors, all made in-house, that you may find yourself paralyzed with indecision, asking, “What on earth do I order?”
Well, I have some killer recommendations for you.
Many students unanimously recommend the French Toast Latte, made with maple, brown sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Faith, a Clear Creek employee, said it’s “so pretty, with the whipped cream and maple drizzle.” She also recommends the Brown Sugar Chai with pumpkin cold foam. Another employee, Annie, suggests the Pumpkin Spice Latte, made with pumpkin puree, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. “It’s basic, but basic for a reason, it’s amazing.” These are all items with Clear Creek’s fall flavors– you can’t go wrong with seasonal coffee.
Another highly recommended coffee is the Brown Sugar Espresso. Sydney, a student, says it’s “the perfect blend of bitterness and sweetness.” It’s a perfect on-campus option for people who love Starbucks’ Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso.
If you’re looking for something controversial yet tasty, students Lauren and Mary recommend the Caramelized Banana Latte, a blend of banana, caramel and sweet cream. “The caramelized flavor makes it taste unique and very sweet,” Lauren says. If you want a sweeter option, this drink is perfect. Some students love it, some students hate it, and some are somewhere in between. You’ll only know if you like it by tasting it yourself.
A tried-and-true classic is the Caramel Latte, which Ellyse recommends. In addition to that, the hot Maple Latte is a perfect sweet-but-not-overpowering option. “It’s sweetened, but not over-the-top,” said another student, Lena. For a unique seasonal twist, cinnamon is a perfect addition to the maple latte. Each sip feels like the weather is colder and the leaves are falling.
If you love hot chocolate but still need to stay awake, Ruthie, another student, offers the ultimate compromise: the seasonal Smoky Mocha (but without paprika). This mocha, made with cinnamon and chocolate cold foam, is so good you may become addicted after just one sip. The chocolate and espresso balance each other out perfectly, creating a chocolatey and nutty flavor.
If you’re looking for something new to try but don’t like coffee, many students recommend the Iced Matcha. Another student, Meme, suggests the London Fog, an Earl Grey tea with vanilla and steamed milk. Hot tea is a must when the weather gets colder, perfect to keep you warm when classrooms are freezing.
Whether you try a Maple Latte or a Brown Sugar Espresso, you will likely be pleasantly surprised and satisfied. Any coffee from this list comes highly recommended and is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.