If you're anything like me, you'll try anything new and coffee related, short of receiving it in an IV (although you should probably be persuaded to do that too). So, to people like us, this news that Starbucks is introducing cold-pressed espresso shots is understandably huge. New coffee at Starbucks? A new way of brewing coffee at Starbucks? Could this day get any better?!
Now, we have good and bad news. The good news: According to our lord and savior, Starbucks, cold-pressed espresso is slowly brewed over the course of 45 minutes in cold water rather than hot, a technique that results in a smoother shot of espresso that features sweeter, more intense flavor than its warm counterparts. You know how cold brewed coffee somehow tastes different than straight-up iced coffee? It's the same deal — letting the espresso brew for nearly an hour in cold water may take longer, but since it's never heated, the coffee is not only stronger and smoother — but it can't be burned. I know that when it's early in the morning and you just need your caffeine boost, this doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but trust me, it is. Not only does it make a difference taste-wise, but since the espresso is so highly concentrated after steeping for an hour, it's also stronger. Stronger coffee equals a happier me.
Even better, according to Starbucks, the technology used to achieve this cold-pressed espresso was actually developed by in-house engineers (wow, how cool must that job be?), so the technique is all theirs. Cold-pressed espresso has existed for a while at some specialty coffee shops, but never at a huge chain like Starbucs. Um, who else wants to go to Starbucks literally right now?
Now, for the bad news: The cold-pressed espresso is available for a limited time at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery location in Seattle, Washington. So, if you're not in Washington or can't get to Washington while this cold-pressed espresso is available at the store, you're gonna have a tough time trying the new drink. For those of you who will be in the Seattle area, here are all the options you have to try the cold-pressed espresso: There's the Sparkling Cold-Pressed Americano (which is literally what it sounds like: Cold-pressed espresso, and ice-cold sparking water), a Cold-Pressed Americano Exploration Flight (which is a series of tasting options so you can try a sparkling cold-pressed espresso Americano, a still cold-pressed espresso americano, and a normal hot espresso Americano), or the Cold-Pressed Ginger Fizz (which, according to Starbucks, is "Ginger ale with a splash of whiskey barrel-aged vanilla syrup, a dash of grapefruit bitters, topped with cold-pressed espresso." Yum). All of the drinks will be made with Starbucks Reserve® Microblend No. 11..
Of course, there's always the chance that this drink could be so super popular (everyone in Seattle, I'm looking at you: Now is your time to shine and drink a ton of coffee) that they'll end up expanding its availability nationwide, or at least to Reserve stores. I mean, we can dream... right? I'm going to say yes, because I'm still at the point in my life where I have some hope for the small things.
Anyway, if you are in Seattle or planning to go to Seattle any time soon, here's even more reason to hit up the Starbucks Reserve Roastery store if you weren't already planning to. Not only would it be awesome to see Starbucks' flagship location (if you've never been, it's huge), but they also have this cold-pressed espresso. If you do go, please tweet photos so I can live vicariously through you. Thank you.
