Cold as Ice... Coffee: Neirad Taste Tests for the Best Iced Coffee in Darien
More by Kylie Maier - 12/11
Haven’t slept since last Monday? Iced coffee is Darien’s caffeine buzz go-to, and Neirad had me go around Darien to find out where to get the best cup…
This started out great. Free iced coffee and an excuse to up my coffee intake. However, I did not know just how much iced coffee there is in Darien. So, due to the deadline, I have been on a never ending caffeine buzz since last Monday.
Most Darien High School students are hooked on iced coffee, but some students refuse to give in to the fad. “I do not drink iced coffee, I am watching my figure” said senior Grayson Horan. For senior Emily Tropsa, “iced coffee is against my religion (Buddhism).”
However, for the rest of DHS, not drinking iced coffee is just as much a sin. So, Neirad taste tested all the iced coffee around Darien to find the best one for early classes and all-nighters.
Donut Delight (Stamford) (cheapest! $2) is DHS iced coffee addict, senior Katherine Dostal’s, favorite spot to get her fix. She claims this iced coffee is worth the longer drive. The baristas are great, especially Damien, and will remember your order after a couple of visits.
Uppercrust ($2/small $3.50/large)
Great bagels, but stay away from the iced coffee unless you want a caffeine-caused ulcer. Unless you plan to overload on cream and sugar and the self-serve counter, this iced coffee will have a three day old stale taste.
Starbucks ($1.95 tall)
It takes will-power to order a small iced coffee from Starbucks. In fact, you cannot. It is probably laced with hazelnut, chocolate, and labeled as tall or grande. Though Starbucks is known for its high prices and long names, it is a favorite in Darien. Helpful Tip- Ask for liquid sugar so the sweetness is blended in instead of clumped at the bottom.
Whole Foods ($1.99/$2.59) is definitely the healthiest option. The coffee and milk are organic, and the sugar is all natural and just looks healthy. And, best of all, the cold drink is environmentally friendly. Recycle your cup, but make sure to grab an extra environment friendly cardboard straw because they tend to get soggy.
Donut Inn ($2.40) serves the classic iced coffee so you can never go wrong. The lines are usually short, and the people there are friendly. If you ever forget your wallet or are short a couple quarters, the staff will let you slide.
Dunkin Donuts ($3.69) is conveniently everywhere. You can walk across the street to the one on the Post Road, pull over on a highway drivethru, and probably even find one in a desert. “Double D’s” serves your typical iced coffee drink, so it is never a disappointment.
Espresso Neat ($3.75 - it is expensive because each cup is handmade instead of out of a big pot): This savvy café complete with sassy baristas and tortured writer esque costumers who belong in the middle of New York City. It is the perfect place to sit and read a book or study for a test. (In fact, I ran into my SAT tutor there- who did not remember me, but that is beside the point).
My personal favorites were Donut Delight (for a cheap fix) and Espresso Neat (for a well made iced coffee). But they are all definitely worth trying, but from personal experience, do not try them all at once.
Check out the best bacon egg and cheese to go along with your iced coffee.
