As the school year kicks into gear, there’s one thing students need to power them through long study days: coffee. There’s no need to leave campus to get your fix, since the student-run Coffee Club just dropped its fall menu, featuring five new drinks, during week three of classes. I headed to Campus Club and Addy Commons to try them.
False Dichotomy
False Dichotomy is a Vietnamese coffee-inspired cold brew with cardamom and cinnamon dusting. As a big fan of sweet and creamy coffee, this drink, which is only offered iced, immediately caught my attention. I’ve never tried Vietnamese coffee before, but I’ve been curious about its use of sweetened condensed milk for a long time. This drink uses cold brew for a stronger kick. Since I usually use skim or oat milk in my coffee, the creaminess of this drink was an amazing change from my usual choices.
The Bandwagon
I was excited to try this drink, a pumpkin spice chai, as a lover of both components. I ordered it iced with whole milk and was hit with strong spices on the very first sip. At first, the sweeter cinnamon takes center stage, but the aftertaste is ruled by the nutmeg and ginger. However, because pumpkin spice and Coffee Club’s chai latte have a similar spice profile, it tasted a bit like a very strong chai latte. The advertisement for the drink said it had a “sweet blend of warm spices and pumpkin,” but I wasn’t getting any notes of pumpkin, especially since pumpkin spice traditionally doesn’t have pumpkin in it — it’s meant to go with pumpkin. Regardless, the drink is sure to please chai lovers, even if the chai and the pumpkin spice blend together.
Cherrypicking
This drink, a mix of cherry coke and espresso, had an uphill battle with me as I don’t enjoy espresso tonics. Although it didn’t turn me into an espresso tonic drinker, it was probably the best espresso tonic I’ve had. The cherry flavor is really strong, which results in a fruity taste. I can’t see myself ordering this one again, but I definitely recommend it for anyone who enjoys an espresso tonic.
Strawman
I love a good cup of tea, especially rooibos, and the Strawman, a rooibos fog with a dash of cayenne pepper, was no exception. The cayenne and honey work perfectly together, balancing sweet and spicy notes. For anyone with the fall sniffles, I can’t recommend this tea enough. The cayenne comes through stronger than expected, but the earthy rooibos and the sweet honey hold their own.
Slippery slope
I love banana bread, and I love lattes, but I wasn’t sure if I would love them together in one drink. However, I was entirely mistaken: this was my favorite drink from the entire launch. It’s sweet and indulgent, with the cinnamon flavor hitting first and the banana coming after. I got it iced, but it would be just as delicious hot. For me, it was fall in a cup — cozy, nostalgic, and perfect for getting through a long day of studying. This drink is my new go-to latte.
As a whole, the fall menu at Coffee Club is versatile, experimental, and fun. While you might not like every drink on the menu, they’re all worth a try, as they might totally surprise you. Students now have five new drinks to power them through the semester.
Lulu Pettit is a member of the Class of 2027 and a senior writer for The Prospect from the suburbs of Philadelphia. She can be reached at lp3153[at]princeton.edu or her Instagram @itslulupettit.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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