Updated: March 28, 2016 at 12:25 p.m.
With spring upon us, iced coffee is poised to make a comeback, just in time for “sun’s out, cup’s out” weather.
Dark roast? Light? Bitter? Smooth? We found (and rated) which cup o’ joe is best from eight shops around Foggy Bottom.
No. 1: Bourbon Coffee
Dark and acrid
10/10
With Bourbon Coffee, you’re guaranteed a chic study space and a strong cup of coffee. Get ready to wake up and get wired – likely with Beyoncé playing in the background.
Location: 2101 L St. NW, price: $2.75
No. 2: Filter Coffeehouse and Espresso Bar
Floral
9/10
Notes of jasmine and rosehip make this one easy to drink. But it’s perhaps too easy because Filter’s house-made cold brew is strong. Still, it’s worth heading here for a nice hipster pour-over – just be sure not to drink too much. At $3.50 a glass, it’s also the priciest option of the bunch.
Location: 1916 I St. NW, price: $3.50
No. 3: Greenberry’s Coffee Co.
Burnt
7/10
A dark roast that hits the back of your mouth with a wooden, almost-burnt taste – like drinking carbon over ice.
Location: 1919 Pennsylvania Ave, price: $2.21
No. 4: Au Bon Pain
Nutty
7/10
You get the most bang for your buck size-wise, but it’s a gamble whether you’re getting a good or bad cup. Decent?
Location: 2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, price: $2.93
No. 5: Dunkin’ Donuts
Weak & sweet
7/10
It’s the weakest cup of the bunch, and you can’t tell if the rush you get is from the sugar or the caffeine. To make up for it, get the monster 32-ounce cup.
Location: 616 23rd St. NW, price: $1.99
No. 6: J Street
Mellow
5/10
It’s a just-the-basics Starbucks, plus a long line of freshmen. Nothing new here. You’re better off heading somewhere less crowded for your morning boost.
Location: 800 21st St. NW, price: $1.85
No. 7: PAUL
Smooth
4/10
It will leave you dissatisfied – the kind of feeling you get when you unwrap a gift, pause for a while, and then proceed to say that it was a really lovely thought. The tiny pot it comes with is adorable, but not worth the price.
Location: 2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, price: $2.48
No. 8: Juan Valdez
Pungent
Juan/10
It tastes like what I imagine Polyjuice Potion tastes like, but instead of turning completely into Boyle, only your breath does. Unless you’re hungover and stumbling out of Thurston Hall, there’s no reason to head this way for your caffeine fix.
Location: 1889 F St. NW, price: $2.45
