Elizabeth Grieve | Senior Scene Editor

In the midst of a sweltering St. Louis summer, there really is no better way to beat the heat than a refreshing iced drink. As a certified drink snob, I created a guide to my favorite drink finds on campus last year. You can still always spot me walking to my lab job with a beverage in hand, and it’s pretty much guaranteed that it’ll be an iced coffee, either from my refrigerator or from my holy grail, Blueprint Coffee.

Beyond that, my list of go-to drinks has continued to expand, especially after spending a summer on the Loop after turning 21. The thing about St. Louis summers is that even when the sun goes down, it’s almost just as hot. So, I found myself purchasing a lot of iced evening drinks. I can proudly say that I am not just a coffee snob, but I am now a cocktail snob too. 

Back on campus, it feels as if the drink menus are ever-changing, with each year providing a wealth of new options. All of this makes it an opportune time for me to add to my previous list. While I still love all of the drinks in my previous guide, the following drinks have me truly becoming a regular at these places. Without further ado, here is an additional installment of my favorites. 

New on-campus favorites: 

Latte with brown sugar syrup at Collins Farms Law Cafe

Although the lines may be long, the coffee at Collins Farms is definitely worth it. Velvety-smooth and rich, their espresso is a new favorite for me on days when I can’t make it to an off-campus spot. Their brown sugar syrup adds a delicate, slightly caramelized sweetness to the drink. It is delicious either hot or iced, and for a little extra nuttiness, get it with oat milk! 

Iced strawberry matcha at Corner 17 at Whispers Cafe

In semesters past, I would use the GrubHub notes section to sneakily ask for the addition of strawberry syrup into Corner 17’s Uji Matcha (a favorite of mine on the previous guide). But my secret is out, since this drink is officially on the menu! For any matcha fans out there, this is a must-try, especially since the quality of Corner 17’s matcha is the best I’ve found on campus. Something about the strawberry flavor accentuates the slightly floral notes in the tea, making it an all-around showstopper.  

Flavored lemonade at LaJoy’s Coffee at Parkside Cafe

This one’s for all of you caffeine-abstinent people out there: I don’t know how you do it, but major props to you. There’s a reason why the GrubHub counter at LaJoy’s always has a line of these drinks awaiting pickup. Their lemonade is unbelievably refreshing and makes for a perfect afternoon pick-me-up between classes. Predictably, my favorite is the strawberry lemonade, but every flavor I have tried has been wonderful.

Off-campus must-trys: 

Iced dirty chai at Blueprint Coffee

As I hinted at previously, I am absolutely obsessed with Blueprint, so much so that some of the baristas know my name and can anticipate my order: an iced dirty chai (a chai latte with a shot of espresso added). You pretty much can’t go wrong here, but I find myself continuously coming back to this drink. The spices in this drink feel like fall is just around the corner, with cardamom, cinnamon, and a bit of sugar complementing the bitterness of the coffee. What really makes Blueprint so special is the quality of their espresso. In all my years as a coffee drinker, I have rarely found a place that puts as much care and precision into their coffee as Blueprint does, from the sourcing and roasting, all the way to actually pulling the espresso shot into my dirty chai. I love Blueprint Coffee year-round, and if you like cardamom, make sure you try their limited Orange Cardamom Latte in the springtime as well.

For the 21+ers 

Summer Fling at Blueberry Hill

Of all of the specialty cocktails at Blueberry Hill, Summer Fling easily takes the cake for me. Poured over ice and garnished with a lime, this drink is so light and ridiculously refreshing. The very slight sweetness gives way quickly to the herbaceous taste of the cucumber vodka with a spicy hint of ginger, all tied together with a splash of fresh lime juice. While it’s a go-to summer drink like the name suggests, I will be getting this drink all year long for sure. 

Smuggler’s Blues at Session Taco 

Session’s frozen margaritas are really good — citrusy with a good balance of tequila and agave. But they are made even better with the splash of strawberry and pineapple unique to the Smuggler’s Blues. This drink also has a drizzle of creamy coconut syrup, which amplifies the tropical taste and provides a little extra richness, as well as counters some of the liquor taste. In terms of aesthetics, it is truly beautiful as well, with a bright pink hue adorned with pineapple leaves. As delightful as this drink is, don’t sip too fast or you will get a brain freeze!