Who doesn’t love a classic coffee date? You can learn so much about the person you’re interested in without much pressure to overdress (or over impress). But nothing is more distracting than a weird coffee-pastry combo that you ordered because the other person’s attractiveness drove you into a nervous fit at the counter. However, with any of these foolproof coffee-pastry combos, that won’t be a problem! Just order like the confident rascal you are (and maybe even offer to pay) and enjoy your date. Here are our ten favorite coffee-pastry combos for your next date.
Fun fact about danishes: they’re not actually from Denmark at all, we’ve just gotten so used to referring to them as “danishes” in the states because they resemble those pastries made in the Viennoiserie tradition.This may make it all the more appropriate to pair with your Americano, especially if you’ve grown up past the sugary caffeinated drinks of yesteryears and are after something a bit bolder. A rich cheese danish will balance out the strength of your coffee because even the most sophisticated of all palates need a little something to balance out the bitter taste of espresso mixed with hot water. Plus, its different layers and flavors (with a sweet, delicate pastry layer and a slightly tangy cheese filling) are so delicious that they don’t need a saccharine beverage to go along with them.
Who remembers the first time they tried a Machiatto? Did you, like us, wonder how something so smooth and delicious could leave one feeling so wide awake? Well, whatever your experience is with the Machiatto, it remains a great choice for a coffee date. But what’s the perfect treat to pair with this choice? The sweet and zesty lemon bar with a buttery shortbread crust. Lemon and coffee go great together (there’s even a “Roman Coffee” which is just black coffee with a slice of lemon in it), and the acidity of the bar will nicely counteract the creaminess of the Machiatto.
The third of our coffee-pastry combos marries a sweeter coffee-based drink with a savory delicacy. If you’re a loyal fan of the flavored latte (vanilla, caramel, or even lavender are all excellent choices), try ordering a classic quiche. Chances are, if the cafe’ you’re going to sells them, you’ll likely get to choose from a variety of flavors (if they have it, chile relleño quiche is to die for). Now, not only will you have a winning combination for your date, but you won’t be hungry by the time the third period rolls around.
Want to be the epitome of European-inspired classiness? Go for a flaky, homemade croissant the next time you order a Café Mocha. Not only is rich, creamy chocolate a breakfast staple for Parisians (just ask any of your friends who studied abroad in France), but the croissant will add a nice contrast to your palette when your taste buds are a little weary from the richness of the coffee and chocolate of the mocha. Pro tip: try going to a pastry shop instead of a coffee shop for the best croissants (the coffee will still be amazing, we promise). And keep an eye out for ones with lots of sheen and air pockets, those have the best flavor!
As we reach the halfway mark on this coffee-pastry combos list, we’re tempted to go ahead and order a velvety Café Latte for ourselves! But we’ll leave that choice up to you when you take your S.O. out again. If you’re a fan of the velvety but not-too-sweet Café Latte, we recommend pairing it with a moist, sugar-crusted blueberry muffin. You can even split one with your date if your local coffee shop makes them extra big (which they often do). Plus, studying with your sweetheart on a rainy day, sipping a warm coffee and taking a bite of muffin with plump, juicy blueberries? Who could as for more?
With all of the flavor of your normal drip coffee but much less of the tummy-turning acidity, cold brew has become a staple of hip coffee-drinkers (looking at you, broke grad students) within the past few years. But like a family heirloom cardigan (thanks, Grandpa!) on top of your clean-cut contemporary outfit, sometimes classics are best paired with newbies. That’s precisely why the age-old scone would go perfectly with your cold brew. Not to mention, you can go with practically any flavor of scone (vanilla, cranberry, even orange) without it clashing with your drink!
There are few things quite as reminiscent of a crisp autumn day (minus the allergies) than a steaming, aromatic cup of a Chai Latte. This sweet and spicy concoction is perfect for those who want the experience of a hot drink from a coffee shop with a bit less caffeine (perhaps your date was postponed for 7 pm instead of 10 am). A lovely pastry choice to combine with this drink is a slice of house-made banana bread. Whether you like your bread plain, with nuts, or even gluten-free (we can say from experience that GF banana bread is amazing), every luscious bite will completely complement the spicy notes (looking at you, cardamom) of your chai.
While sometimes timeless things are best paired with more modern trends (such as the cold brew and scone combo previously), other times you can’t beat a classic with a classic. Hence the next item on our list, the brewed coffee and bagel combo, is perfect for anyone who leans toward tradition (and rightly so!). The best thing about ordering a regular house coffee and a bagel is that you can totally doctor up either to your heart’s content yourself… so you won’t find yourself researching exactly how many pumps of sweetener to ask the barista for. A coffee and a freshly toasted bagel with cream cheese… can we just call you Miss (or Mr.) Old School Chic now?
Your newfound adult staple (the elegant cappuccino) goes best with none other than your childhood favorite, the sugar cookie. Of course, it’s up to you to choose any type of cookie at all, but we chose sugar because of its buttery flavor, which pairs well with the strong espresso (and the frothy milk). Enjoy separately or, when no one’s looking, give your cookie a good dunk in your cappuccino. We won’t tell!
There are some thrills that we’ll just never outgrow. And the middle-school rush of ordering a Frappuccino on our own is one of them! Whether you’re a caramel ribbon crunch type of gal (or guy) or you’re just after a delightfully sweet ice-blended coffee creation, you won’t be wasting your money by adding a tomato-pesto panini to your order. The crispness of the freshly toasted bread, the appetizing tomatoes and pesto, and creamy mozzarella are the substance you need to balance out your sweet caffeine fix.
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