National Coffee Day
Today is National Coffee Day. At first, I thought I'd talk about my favorite cup of coffee in Kentucky. Then, I realized that asking a writer to choose one favorite cup of coffee is like asking a mother to choose her favorite child. Each cup is unique and beautiful and loved. Some days, you want a pour-over, or a French press, or a latte.
As a freelancer, I spend a lot of time in coffee shops. I write in coffee shops, I take meetings in coffee shops. I drink coffee in coffee shops. Here in Louisville, I have so many opinions:
- Best coffee shop for a meeting: Starbucks at Shelbyville and Hurstborne. Where else can you sit in a renovated bank vault?
- Best coffee shop for a strong latte and a dose of hipsters: Sunergos in Germantown. Amazing coffee. Hipstery hipsters.
- Best coffee shop for a long conversation: Quills in the Highlands. Great coffee, awesome staff.
- Best coffee shop when you really want a cookie: Please & Thank You. Those chocolate chip cookies, though.
Latte from my own kitchen; cream puff from Plehn's Bakery.
As for the best in the Commonwealth, we here at HerKentucky have done some extensive research. Here are our favorites:
- Best espresso drink: Sunergos cappuccino from Atlantic No. 5. A locally brewed roast served up with perfectly steamed, milk, you're in luck, but make sure you can handle big flavors and a serious caffeine jolt. This isn't for amateurs.
- Best French press: Ghyslain. I'm really into French presses and pour-overs these days. You get so much more flavor from the coffee oils and packs a powerful punch. My favorite is the dark roast French press from Ghyslain, the fabulous bistro with two Louisville locations.
- Best cup of drip: (tie) Coffee Times. I adore the artisanal blends from this Lexington coffee shop. The blends are smooth, subtle, and inviting. You'll always see somebody you know. You'll love it, I promise. Lizzie B's: Glory be! I can finally get a great cup of coffee when I visit my hometown. Prestonsburg's favorite cafe serves up an amazing cup of drip. Don't miss out!
- Best Newcomer: Paducah Coffee Company roast at Piper's Tea & Coffee. I don't know if y'all have heard, but HerKentucky contributor Sarah Stewart Holland is shouting from the rooftops that Paducah is Having a Moment. Everywhere you look, there's artisans and renovations and locally made products. Sarah suggests the Turkish Coffee at Piper's, in the fabulous Coke Plant building.
What's your favorite cup of coffee?
