Beads of sweat start dripping down your forehead and feelings of fatigue overwhelm your body as the sun beats down on you. Your skin feels hot and you swear it must be a million degrees outside as you take the dreadful walk to your car.
It’s hot outside, it’s hot inside of your car: it’s hot everywhere! You start to feel like the Tucson heat is inescapable and you’ll never stop sweating; that is until you swing open the door at 1525 N. Wilmot Road.
Stepping into EspresSoul Café, you're instantly enveloped by the cool air conditioning, like being wrapped in an ice-cold blanket in a desert oasis. Silky white fabric hangs from the ceilings, swaying along with the cool air, and pink and light purple flowers cover the walls. The charming wooden tables invite you stay for a while.
Owner and front of house barista, Eris Movahedi greets you with a friendly smile as she hands you an iced chai latte. And what a treat that latte is. The fluffy coffee cream mixed with the rich chai base are heaven in a cup. Suddenly, all hostile feelings about the heat are gone. You are at peace and sipping on magic: the perfect way to spend your summer.
Summer in Tucson is brutal, but you can beat the heat AND enjoy some great drinks by checking out these new cafés and coffee spots that have popped up around town recently.
A strawberry love matcha (left), a honey bear latte (center) and a lavender blueberry matcha from EspresSoul.
EspresSoul Café
Originating as a popular vegan espresso truck, EspresSoul opened it’s first brick-and-mortar shop just this month. At their new east side spot, they serve all your favorite coffee drinks, as well as specialty drinks like the South Asian Babe - a chai latte with a coffee soft top, the Baklava - a pistachio latte with a silky soft top, and the Ferrero Rocher- a hazelnut cocoa latte, topped with a luxurious hazelnut cream. They even have a delicious selection of pastries and treats you can pair with your drink.
Whether you choose a latte, a matcha or a smoothie, it's guaranteed to be love at first sip.
Jamie’s order: While I’m obsessed with the South Asian Babe and their Blueberry Lavender matcha, my go-to order recently has been an iced Honey Bear latte. This latte is sweetened with honey and cinnamon, and it’s truly the perfect summer drink to start your morning with.
An iced vanilla latte from Zedamo Coffee & Tea.
Zedamo Coffee & Tea
On Z-Street you can grab a meal at Zemam’s Ethiopian Cuisine, sip on an international beer while watching a soccer game at Zerai’s International Bar, and now, you can start your mornings at Zedamo Coffee & Tea. This new coffee spot is a collaboration between the Gebremariam family and Savaya Coffee. At Zedamo, you’ll discover the essence of Ethiopian coffee culture. The cozy, peaceful interior is the perfect place to grab a drink and enjoy your current summer read.
Jamie’s order: I got a classic iced vanilla latte and was so impressed. It was the perfect balance of sweet, complimenting the strong, bold espresso!
Brett Turner, a barista at Decibel Coffee Works, prepares orders during a morning shift at 2631 E. Broadway.
Decibel Coffee Works
Back in January, Decibel Coffee Works moved into Sol Block, joining local favorites like Rocco’s Little Chicago and The Broadway Beer & Wine Bar. Their new space has all their classic coffee drinks, a few spots to sit and relax in, ice cream and a giant glass case filled with tasty pastries. They even have a nice shaded patio area so you can enjoy some fresh air without battling the heat.
Jamie’s order: Calling all matcha lovers!! Decibel has a great matcha latte that really highlights the earthy goodness of the drink, without being too sweet!
A cortado from The Cuban Corner.
The Cuban Corner
Not only do they serve amazing Cuban food, but you can also get your daily caffeine boost! On their menu they boast various Cuban coffee drinks, including their cortado- a miniature creation of espresso and sweetened condensed milk, served in the cutest little mason jar. But don’t let the size fool you, it packs a punch! They also have a coffee flight on the menu for those who want to try a little bit of everything.
Jamie’s order: I fell in love with the cortado and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it, and I will definitely be going there often for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Yellow Brick Coffee
This beloved local coffee shop recently opened up a new location at the Pima County Historic Courthouse. Now, when you are walking downtown, you can stop by for some shade and a sweet drink. In addition to their drink menu, they also have some grab and go items like breakfast sandwiches, salads and turkey sandwiches. Their Instagram also features a raspberry matcha latte that looks like summer in a cup.
Jamie’s order: I stopped by a few months ago to try their B.A.N.A.N.A.S. latte and it did not disappoint. It is a latte that’s flavored with their house-made caramelized banana syrup, cardamom and graham cracker.
Customers at The Scented Leaf can request glitter in any drink.
Scented Leaf
This local tea spot has Tucson hooked. You can find it downtown, on University Boulevard, on the eastside and now it’s on Sol Block. Scented Leaf’s fourth location opened up recently, ensuring that everyone can get their tea fix. All their classic on-tap teas are here, including an array of mesmerizing fruity, glittery concoctions. They also share the shaded patio with Decibel, so if you want tea and your friend wants coffee, you don’t have to compromise!
Jamie’s order: I always get their strawberries and cream matcha, which is a matcha latte topped with strawberry cold foam. This cold foam tastes exactly like strawberry shortcake, and pairs amazingly with the matcha.
Check out these hidden gems too!
A chocolate croissant and The Banker (right) from De Novo Market and Tap.
De Novo Market & Tap
This colorful grab and go market in downtown Tucson serves up some stellar coffee and pastries. The have cinnamon rolls, chocolate croissants and an horchata cold brew on their menu. I stopped by the other day to try The Banker, a drink that includes espresso AND coffee, topped with a fluffy sweet cream. It was delicious and kept me awake all day long! I will definitely be back to try an horchata latte and one of their wraps.
Kouki Café
Check their Instagram to see where they are popping up.
As I was researching new coffee shops, I stumbled upon Kouki Café’s Instagram and was instantly intrigued. This coffee pop-up is inspired by Japanese car culture and can be found at places like the Foothills Community Market and the Green Valley Farmer’s Market. Everything on their menu looks amazing, but I’m definitely going to their next pop-up to try The Brid, a brown sugar shake espresso with a banana cream cold foam.
Rofle Rofle
This dessert spot in the Tucson Mall food court also makes the most amazing looking drinks for those with a sweet tooth. According to their menu, some of their drinks include an iced butter cream latte, an iced mocha and a taro milk latte. They even have a matcha latte that comes topped with a dollop of creamy banana pudding. Did I mention this place also serves croffles?! (croissant AND waffles)
