There is no going anywhere without coffee. Okay, yes, it's possible to bring your own AeroPress or Minispresso on the road, but then you have to bring the beans, grinder, entitlement etc.
From all-in-one pour-over kits, portable creamers (of course, there is nothing wrong with Coffee-mate) to instant oat milk, the sky is the limit when it comes to nearly instant caffeine options these days.
Instant oat milk! These are the times we are living in.
This stuff is for the crowd that wants everything in one easy package for the office, the hotel, or the Airbnb. It is for that moment that you want to to treat yourself to a bougie cup of coffee.
For those of us that want to do slightly less work—fine, no work!—or don't want to carry around brewing equipment, it is possible to carry around a cup with you at all times. Sans liquid.
Just add water! 😂
These aren't exactly going to be the cheapest options; but when you're paying $17.50 for a yogurt at Terminal 3, will it even matter anymore?
Might as well enjoy that sip. ☕
Indulge in your inner coffee snob. (Engin Akyurt / Pexels )
Dripkit
Dripkit Coffee is for the coffee snob in all of us.
Barista-style coffee on the go? These are definitely on the pricier side of the spectrum, but what we like is the variety of beans offered (as opposed to flavors) and the ability to mix and match.
Each Dripkit is precisely calibrated to contain 17 grams of coffee; from a company that roasts its bean exclusively in Brooklyn, we would expect no less.
Looking for something that has hints of cherry, marzipan and fruit? Try the Verve Seabright.
Loung around the Airbnb like this. (Courtesy of Dripkit)
But you can equally go for the variety pack, which consists of single-origin beans from Colombia, Guatemala and Ethiopia. They also have collaborations with other boutique roasters like Stumptown and Café Unido.
PRICE: Each cup ranges from $2.45 to $4.20; the average cup costs ~$3.60.
BEST VALUE: The La Pacifica 20-pack retails for $49, or $2.45 per cup.
Copper Cow Coffee
Copper Cow Coffee is a female-run business that features a Vietnamese-style coffee in the traditional pour-over format.
One of the biggest coffee exporters in the world, Vietnam has had a long history with this crop. It's also the coffee I grew up on.
From basic black (with or without creamer), the company features different flavors with its premium blend of Arabica beans, including Churro, Lavender, and Earl Grey.
Surprisingly, for the creamer crowd, they have some of the best portable condensed milk creamers on the market (they are delicious, and I am lactose-intolerant!). Those who like to take their coffee with milk and sugar will delight in these.
Each creamer is neatly packaged in travel-friendly, 1-ounce packets. They also come in different flavors, so if you're feeling feisty and want to go for the Hazelnut and Mocha flavor, that's an option.
They are available on Amazon, though there are more options direct (here's a referral for $20 off).
PRICE: Each cup starts at $3 with the Classic Latte.
BEST VALUE PRICE: The The Core Four Bundle (32 servings) retails for $52, or $1.65 per cup.
Upright
Instant oat milk! Gimmick or fad?
Upright is sold in three flavors: unsweetened (our choice), vanilla, and the chocolate flavor. They didn't have the creaminess we were used to, but the taste was on point.
(Courtesy of Upright)
It did take a little stirring and smushing to shake out all the lumps, but it did eventually dissolve. For best taste, put these overnight in the fridge before consuming the next morning for breakfast.
These are ideal for making power-smoothies, having cereal on the go, or dropping into a cup before adding coffee and hot water (wink).
Upright is sold in two options: Bulk format or single-serving pouches. Personally, the single-serving pouches make the most sense for travel, since they are already pre-portioned.
If we were to pick one flavor, we'd go for the unsweetened, since it's simple to add vanilla extract, sugar or cocoa powder to enhance it for flavor.
These are great for the occasional emergency, though it's not a regular-use item in our book.
PRICE: Each serving costs $1.25 (or $1.13 on subscription).
BEST VALUE PRICE: The Variety 3-Pack (36 servings in 3 flavors) retails for $40; averaging $1.11 per cup.
