There’s a day every year when you stop buying a hot drink for the taste and start buying it for your hands.
You know the one. You’re stood at the pump, the wind’s coming in sideways and the car behind you already has its heaters on full. Then you get back in and the steering wheel is somehow colder than the air outside.
Iced coffee season is officially over. If you’re still torn between iced or hot, the weather has made the decision for you.
Here’s what we’re reaching for, depending on exactly how cold it is out there.
When it’s a bit nippy
Not freezing. Just cold enough that you’ve gone back inside for a jacket.
A Latte is the easy answer here. Smooth, creamy and mild, the kind of coffee that doesn’t ask anything of you. Or if you like the coffee to come through a bit more, go for a Flat White.
Familiar. Warm. Nothing dramatic needed yet.
When it’s proper coat weather
Hats are out. Gloves have been found. The car takes ten minutes to stop feeling like a fridge.
This is where chocolate starts making a lot of sense.
A Mocha gives you coffee and chocolate in the same cup, which is about as efficient as a cold morning gets. Or if you’d rather stick to coffee, a Cappuccino with the Go Large upgrade for an extra 50p buys you a few more minutes of warm hands.
When you can’t feel your fingers
Gloves on. Gloves off to pay. Gloves now somewhere in the footwell.
This calls for a Hot Chocolate. Whole milk, rich cocoa and a cup you can wrap both hands round while the car warms up.
No notes.
When you’re not a coffee person
Not everyone wants a coffee, and that’s completely fine.
A proper cup of Tea is still the most comforting thing you can hold on a grey afternoon. If you’d rather something lighter, there’s Peppermint Tea or Green Tea, both just as good for warming up your hands as anything else on the menu.
When it’s a late drive home
It’s dark by half four, you’ve still got a fair way to go and you want something warm for the road. A full-strength coffee now, though, and you’ll be staring at the ceiling at midnight.
Our Americano, Latte, Flat White and Cappuccino all come in decaf, so you get the warm drink without the wide-awake bit later. Or go for a Peppermint Tea, which is caffeine-free and about as calming as a cup gets after a long day.
Latte, flat white or cappuccino: what’s the difference?
If you’ve ever stood at the counter and gone with the same order as the person in front because you weren’t quite sure, this bit’s for you.
Latte: espresso with plenty of warm, silky milk. The mildest and creamiest of the three, and a good starting point if you don’t like your coffee too strong.
Flat White: a double espresso with velvety steamed milk. Less milk than a latte, so the coffee comes through more, but it’s still smooth.
Cappuccino: espresso, steamed milk and a generous layer of airy foam. Lighter in texture, with a nice balance of strength and softness.
Americano: espresso topped up with hot water. No milk, clean and simple, for when you want the coffee and nothing else.
Mocha: coffee, milk and rich chocolate together. Halfway between a latte and a hot chocolate, and very hard to say no to once the clocks have gone back.
There’s no wrong answer. Just the one that suits how cold it is and how long the drive is.
Something warm to go with it
A hot drink on a cold day is good. A hot drink with something warm to eat is better.
A pot of PORiJ with a Latte is about as cosy as breakfast gets on the move. A Pain au Chocolat with a Hot Chocolate is chocolate with more chocolate, which is a perfectly reasonable decision on a cold morning. And a Sausage Roll with a cup of Tea is the forecourt classic for a reason.
We’ve put together a fuller guide to something sweet to go with your coffee, and if you’re after something for the journey, have a look at our autumn snacks for the road. For the morning rush specifically, our back-to-work breakfast guide has you covered.
Buying for the whole car?
Doing the coffee run for everyone means remembering who wanted the decaf, who wanted the large and who changed their mind at the last second.
Make it easier on yourself and order ahead on the Bakery79 app. Pick everyone’s drinks before you set off, collect when you pull in, and spend those extra minutes in the warm instead of in a queue.
Find your nearest Bakery79
Most of our stores are on the forecourt, so a hot drink is usually on the route rather than a detour.
Browse our full hot drinks menu or find your nearest Bakery79.
A Latte when it’s a bit nippy.
A Mocha for coat weather.
A Hot Chocolate when your fingers have given up.
A decaf for the drive home.
And a cup of Tea, because sometimes that’s all it takes.
Stay warm out there.
FAQs
Does Bakery79 do hot chocolate?
Yes. Our Hot Chocolate is made with whole milk and rich cocoa. We also do a Mocha if you’d like chocolate and coffee together.
Can I get decaf coffee at Bakery79?
Yes. Our Americano, Latte, Flat White and Cappuccino are all available in decaf.
What’s the difference between a latte and a flat white?
A latte is espresso with plenty of warm, silky milk, so it’s milder and creamier. A flat white uses a double espresso with less milk, so the coffee flavour comes through more.
Does Bakery79 have caffeine-free hot drinks?
Yes. Our Peppermint Tea is caffeine-free. If you’d like a coffee with less caffeine, our Americano, Latte, Flat White and Cappuccino can all be made with decaf.
What teas does Bakery79 have?
We serve classic Tea, Peppermint Tea and Green Tea.
Can I get a large hot drink at Bakery79?
Yes. Our coffees and teas, including the Latte, Flat White, Cappuccino, Tea, Peppermint Tea and Green Tea, can be upgraded to a large for an extra 50p.
