Starbucks,Golden Ginger Latte, Chicago Ohare

Headed home...a great vacation in Iowa.  I had a layover in Chicago.  I decided to try the Golden Ginger Latte.  I had it one other time, but thought I would try it again.

Last time I had this one I loved it.  This time I thought it was okay.  Not sure if it was who made it or what, but I wasn't as thrilled with it this time.  But, it did quench my thirst.  I liked the pineapple in it.  I also like the idea of the coconut water that is added.  It is a little too sweet for me, but other than that it was good.

https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2123190/iced?parent=%2Fdrinks%2Fcold-drinks%2Ficed-coconutmilk-drinks

    

Ingredients

Coconutmilk [Water, Coconut Cream, Cane Sugar, Contains 2 Or Less Of Tricalcium Phosphate, Coconut Water Concentrate, Sea Salt, Natural Flavors, Xanthan Gum, Gellan Gum, Corn Dextrin, Guar Gum, Vitamin A Palmitate, And Vitamin D 2], Ice, Pineapple Ginger Syrup [Water, Sugar, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate], Golden Ginger Blend [Sugar, Gum Arabic, Natural Flavors, Extractives Of Turmeric]

Hy-Vee Raspberry Lemon Ginger Kombucha

While in Iowa I found this kombucha to try at the local grocery store, Hy-Vee. 

https://www.hy-vee.com/grocery/PD52216298/Hy-Vee-Raspberry-Lemon-Ginger-Kombucha

The flavor was great.  I loved it.  The raspberry notes were really strong and then there were bits of lemon and ginger that would come through.  It had a zip too it.

And to be 16 oz with only 45 calories, that was a bonus too.  

Organic Kombucha (Spring Water, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Black Tea), Organic Raspberry Juice Concentrate, Organic Ginger Juice, Organic Lemon Puree.

While I was in Iowa, we had fun playing pranks on each other.  See the fly on the tea handle.

Then one night I found the fake ants in my bed.  I love a good joke!

Smokey Row, Pumpkin Chai

While in Iowa we visited this cute coffee/tea spot.

The décor was super fun.  It was brick with lots of retro signs.  They did a really great job with all the items around the cafe.

There was lots of seating too. 

I got a breakfast sandwich with a pumpkin chai.  The sandwich was really good, very filling.

The pumpkin chai was excellent.  I also thought the price was right too.  Some places really over charge for chai and this was a decent price.  I ordered it hot, but you could get it iced too.

  It was from a dry mix.  I asked if it was their own house blend, but it was not. 

The chai was very flavorful and rich. The pumpkin flavor was spot on, not too much.

My friend got a smoothie that was very good.

Friedrichs Coffee, Mango Iced Tea

Flying out of Des Moines I wanted one last tea.  The lady working was super friendly and helpful.  She even said I could have a free refill since she usually had tea left at the end of the day.

I got the iced tea and she offered a syrup flavors too.  I went with Mango.

https://aeroservicegrp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Freiderich_CoffeeBoards_27x40-1.pdf

When you go to a coffee place and get tea you never know what you will get. Will it be a tea just to have tea, or will it be really good. But, I am always happy that coffee places have a tea option, I appreciate the effort for those of us who don't do coffee.

I think this might have been tea just to have tea.  But, again I appreciate the effort.  The tea was bitter, not sure it was over steeped or what.  But, it was not that great.  The only thing that saved it was the mango flavoring.  The service was fantastic, so that is why they get 2 tea cups and not 1.

Goodbye Des Moines, hello Chicago.  

Caribou Coffee, Pomegranate Acai Tea Latte

Leaving Iowa I stopped at one last place for tea.  I ordered the Pomegranate Acai Tea Latte.  Pomegranate acai tea, blended with honey and coconut milk.

https://www.cariboucoffee.com/menu/#beverages

I thought the flavors were good, but the coconut was a bit over powering.  I did not get the fruit flavor like I had hoped.  It was still good though.  I would give it a 3, since I did not really get much tea flavor.

Everything Surplus Half Price Teas

Thanks to my sister I was able to check out these great deals!  I was super excited to see all the teas that were 1/2 off. 

https://www.facebook.com/everythingsurpluswooster/

6 almond milks for $3 was a great deal to begin with, but to get them for $1.50 is even better!!  

Here are the shelves after I left, lol!!!  

They even had some K Cups. I have never really found a K Cup tea that I liked, but thought I would try this one for $3. I am a fan of Harney & Sons.  This is also a tea that my sister loves, so I figured when she came for Christmas she might like it.

I am always looking for iced tea, and for .50 I thought this would be fun to try.  Also, Oolong is my favorite kind of tea.

This company, Shangria is something I just discovered a month or two ago and I was really pleased with the Iced Tea.  So, I got a few of the black current for $1.00.

.50 for Tazo?!!  Yes, please!!  Tazo makes my all time favorite iced tea, Passion. So I bought about 4 boxes of this one.  I hope I like it...if not I will be sharing it with everyone.  But, it does sound like it will be very tasty.

I am a fan of tiesta tea, so this was a fun find for .50

This iced tea has a hint of peppers....should be unique.

Here is another fun iced tea for .50.  

Even without the 1/2 off, there are great deals at Everything Surplus in Wooster.  Check it out if you are in the area.