Best Coffee for Non Coffee Drinkers (29 Tasty Drink Ideas)

ByJessica Hammond, RD

Introduction

Coffee is the second most-consumed beverage in the world after water. In spite of its popularity many people find the flavor too strong and bitter. If you are new to drinking coffee or just don’t like coffee that’s okay. You can find something to drink when you go out for coffee with friends or family. Here is a list of the best coffee for non coffee drinkers. No matter where you are on your coffee journey you are sure to find a coffee drink in this list that you can enjoy. If you get to the end and still don’t want to try any of these tasty coffee drinks, don’t worry. I also added a bonus section of some delicious non-coffee drinks at the end of this post. 

Best Unsweetened Coffee for Non Coffee Drinkers

Cafe Latte

Cafe lattes are an excellent choice if you are new to drinking coffee. Of all the espresso-based coffee drinks, lattes have the highest proportion of milk. The milk helps to cut the bitterness of the coffee and is a great way to get used to the flavor of coffee without jumping straight into drinking black coffee. 

Lattes are also great because they are very versatile and can be sweetened with many different flavors of syrups.

white mug containing a latte with steamed milk being poured in from a milk carafe.
Cafe Latte

Flat White

Flat whites are similar to lattes but have less milk and an even thinner layer of milk foam compared to a latte. If you like lattes but are ready to go for a stronger coffee flavor, a flat white is a great option. 

Cappuccino

Similar to a latte, cappuccinos contain espresso and milk, however they have a stronger coffee taste because they contain less milk than a latte. Cappuccinos usually contain espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam in a 1:1:1 ratio. 

Cappuccino in white coffee mug that has a silver spoon to the left of the mug and saucer. They are sitting on a brown table.
Cappuccino Photo by Bryan Burgos on Unsplash

Cafe au Lait

The cafe au lait is the French version of a latte. It contains regular drip coffee with a large amount of added steamed milk. Because it has a high proportion of milk, it is significantly less bitter and strong than regular black coffee with cream. 

Blonde Latte

Blonde lattes are the same drink as a regular caffe latte, but are made with blonde espresso beans. Blonde espresso, also known as light roast espresso, are roasted for less time that medium or dark roast coffee beans. This results in coffee that is smoother and less bitter and burnt tasting. Blond lattes also taste great with a bit of whipped cream on top, which adds just the slightest bit of sweetness. 

Cold Brew

Cold Brew is a great choice for an iced coffee drink. In comparison to regular iced coffee, cold brew has a smoother taste and tastes less acidic. You can also add milk or your favorite non-dairy milk such as oat milk, coconut milk or almond milk for a creamier drink. 

There is a glass in the center of the image that contains cold brew coffee that contains milk that is not fully mixed in. There are also ice cubes in the glass that are round. In the background, there is a small succulent in a cream colored vase, as well as a glass jar containing coffee beans. There are coffee beans that are scattered on the ground around the glass.
Cold Brew with Milk and Ice

Best Sweetened Coffee for Non Coffee Drinkers

Cafe Mocha

The cafe mocha is a delicious rich espresso drink that contains added chocolate. Most mochas start with a caffe latte as the base, and chocolate sauce is then added to sweeten at flavor it.

Caramel Macchiato

The caramel macchiato is a signature drink at Starbucks. This sweet espresso drink contains steamed, frothy milk that is topped with espresso and sweetened with vanilla syrup and a caramel drizzle. This is a delicious drink that even coffee haters will enjoy. 

There is a plastic to-go cup that contains a caramel macchiato (the bottom of the drink is mostly milk, and layered on top is the coffee). The cup is sitting on a gray table.
Iced caramel macchiato

Dalgona Coffee

Dalgona coffee has risen in popularity in the past several years. This aesthetic coffee drink is made by whisking instant coffee, sugar and hot water together until a beautiful coffee foam is produced. This whipped coffee foam is then used to top cold milk and ice, creating a striking contrast between the milk and coffee layers. 

There is a clear glass containing milk topped with whipped dalgona coffee. This is sitting on a wire cooling rack on a white surface. In the background, there is a white bowl ad a jar of coffee beans.
Dalgona Coffee Photo by Leigh Skomal on Unsplash

Frappe

Frappes are blended frozen coffee drinks, similar to a milkshake. There are many ways to make frappe, but a common way is to blend ice, espresso, and milk, with a sweetener. Starbucks has their own version of a frappe, known as the frappuccino. Frappes can be made using a variety of flavors but some of the most popular flavors include a mocha or caramel. 

There is a caramel frappe in a plastic to-go cup. The frappe has whipped cream on top. It is sitting on a wooden table. In the background, there is the inside of a coffee shop.
Frappe Photo by Victor Rutka on Unsplash

Dirty Chai

A dirty chai is a chai tea latte with an added espresso shot. This is perfect choice if you are a tea drinker, but want to start experimenting with espresso-based drinks. 

Vanilla Latte

The vanilla latte is a very popular variation of a classic latte and is made by adding vanilla flavored syrup to a regular cafe latte. This is an ideal choice if you feel overwhelmed by all the different flavor options some coffee shops offer. Vanilla has a classic flavor that subtly sweetens and balances the strong flavor of a regular latte. 

White Mocha

This variation of a cafe mocha utilizes white chocolate to make the chocolate sauce. White chocolate does not contain any of the cocoa solids from the cocoa bean and therefore does not have the bitterness sometimes associated with regular chocolate. The white chocolate sauce sweetens the coffee and adds richness due to the fat from the white chocolate. 

There is a white mocha in a white mug. The mocha contains latte art and has a sprinkle of cocoa powder on the left of the drink. This is sitting on a gray table. In the background, there is a blurry image of a green plant.
White Mocha

Salted Caramel Mocha

Salted caramel mochas are another tasty variation of a regular mocha. They are made by adding salted caramel sauce to a regular cafe mocha. If your coffee shop does not have salted caramel sauce, you can ask them to add a pump of caramel sauce and a pinch of salt to a regular mocha. 

Iced Lavender Latte

Iced lavender lattes are made by combining lavender syrup, espresso, and ice in a tall glass. Cold milk is then poured over the mixture. The sweetness from the lavender syrup strikes the perfect balance with the strong espresso and is a great choice for the summer months when lavender is in bloom.

There is an iced lavender latte in a plastic to-go cup without a lid. The drink is sprinkled with lavender blossoms. On the right, there is a small succulent. This is sitting on a white marble table.

Affogato

Affogatos are good option if you are having coffee with dessert. The affogato is made by placing a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a glass dish or martini glass and pouring a shot of espresso over the top. 

There is a glass cup that contains two scoops of vanilla ice cream. There is a hand above this that is pouring espresso over the ice cream. This is sitting on a black and white platter, which is on a wooden table.
Affogato

Vietnamese Coffee

​You likely won’t find this type of coffee at most coffee shops, but you might want to try it if you ever find yourself in a Vietnamese restaurant. Vietnamese coffee is traditionally made with a special type of coffee filter called a phin. This filter brew coffee directly into a glass that contains sweetened condensed milk. This type of coffee is sweet and decadent without overpowering the strong coffee flavor. 

Café Bombón

This lesser known coffee drink originated in Spain and contains sweetens condensed milk and espresso in a 1:1 ratio. 

Best Seasonal Coffee Drinks for Non-Coffee Drinkers

Pumpkin Spice Latte

The pumpkin spice latte is one of the most popular coffee drinks in the United States. This seasonal drink was popularized by Starbucks but can be made at home by adding pumpkin spice and sweetener to your latte. 

Eggnog Latte

This rich Christmas beverage is great for the holiday season. This drink is made just like a regular latte but egg nog is added to the milk prior to steaming it. 

Peppermint Mocha

This twist on a regular mocha has peppermint syrup added. This is a very sweet drink, but you can ask your barista to decrease the amount of syrup that they add.

Best Non-Coffee Drinks for Non Coffee Drinkers

If you just can’t get past the taste of coffee and want a coffee-free drink, there are several great options that are commonly sold at coffee shops. 

Chai Latte

Also known as a chai tea latte, this popular drink is made from steeping black tea and chai spices in steamed milk. It is often sweetened with honey or another neutral sweetener. This is a great tea for the fall and winter due to the warming spices that it contains. You can learn more about chai tea vs chai lattes here.

image depicts an aerial view of a white cup that contains a chai latte with a star anise pod that is floating on the top. The cup is sitting on a marble background and there is a cinnamon stick on the table.

London Fog

London fogs are made from Earl Grey tea that is steeped in steamed milk. Vanilla syrup is added to sweeten the drink. Earl gray tea is a type of black tea that has added bergamot. It has a bright fruity and slightly floral flavor that pairs well with the sweet vanilla syrup. 

Matcha Latte

Matcha lattes are a type of green tea latte that is made by mixing matcha green tea into steamed milk. Matcha is finely ground green tea that is mixed directly into the liquid, rather than steeped. This drink has a delicate but earthy and slightly grassy flavor. You can drink a matcha latte with or without an added sweetener, but if you do choose to sweeten it, go for something neutral such as plain sugar or vanilla syrup.  

Aerial view of a matcha latte with white latte art in a black mug. The mug is sitting on a wooden table.
Matcha Latte Photo by MJ Tangonan on Unsplash

Golden Latte

Golden lattes have become quite popular in recent years as the health benefits of turmeric have been publicized. Golden milk lattes contain turmeric, honey and a few warming spices such as ginger and black pepper. They are mixed into steamed milk and sweetened with honey. This drink is reminiscent of a chai latte due to the warming spices but has a distinct flavor due to turmeric. Golden Lattes get their name because the turmeric makes the milk turn a beautiful golden color.

There is a golden milk latte in a white mug on a white saucer. It is sitting on a brown table. On the saucer, there is a silver spoon. In the background there is a glass of water.
Golden Latte

Starbuck’s Caramel Apple Spice

This drink is so good, especially in the fall. It contains steamed apple juice, caramel dolce syrup, whipped cream and caramel sauce. This is another good non-caffeinated option for kids. You truly will feel like you are drinking a caramel apple. 

Hot Cocoa

This classic drink is the best option if you just don’t want to spend time figuring out what non-coffee drink to order. A cup of hot chocolate is hard to mess up and is one of the best drinks to order for kids at a coffee shop. Try this recipe for delicious oat milk hot chocolate.

White mug containing hot chocolate. In the background, there is a white napkin with a spoon of sugar next to the mug. On the opposite side, there is a small white bowl containing cocoa powder.
Hot Chocolate

Iced Tea

Iced tea is a popular menu item offered at most cafes and coffee shops. Most iced teas contain black tea, which has less caffeine than iced coffee. If you want a little bit of a caffeine boost, but do not the full effects of coffee, iced tea is a good choice. A 12 oz iced tea contains 55 mg of caffeine, whereas a 12 oz iced coffee contains 112 mg of caffeine. 

Herbal Tea

If you do not like caffeinated drinks, try going for an herbal tea. Most coffee shops have several hot tea options. These are a great option in the cold winter months and won’t make you feel jittery. 

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