4 Morning Pick-Me-Up Drinks to Start Your Day Right

Let’s be honest, mornings are hard. Maybe you stayed up late working on an assignment, or maybe you have a long day of work ahead. Maybe you’re just not a morning person. Whatever’s telling you to keep hitting snooze, this is why we think it’s important to start your day with some morning motivation. So, how do we motivate ourselves? Some positive self-talk and a little caffeine usually does the trick! Whether you're new to the morning caffeine lifestyle or just looking to change up your routine, here are four great morning pick-me-up drinks to start off your day right.

1. Matcha Lattes

If you’re a fan of green tea (we know we are!), you’ll love the added flavor and health benefits matcha offers. Matcha is made from the same plant as green tea, but instead of soaking the leaves, it’s created by grinding the plant into a fine, green powder. Because of this, matcha contains even more of the good things we find in green tea—we’re talking more caffeine, vitamins, and antioxidants. This promotes liver health, can increase weight loss, and has tons of other health benefits. We recommend using an alternative milk option, like soy or almond, to make your matcha latte even better for you and your taste buds. Want to sweeten the deal even more? Try adding honey for a natural flavor boost!

2. Black Tea

Looking for something a little more bitter? Keep the benefits but lose the sweetness with some classic black tea! More oxidized and generally stronger in flavor than other kinds of tea, black tea promotes heart health, lowers blood pressure, and is full of caffeine to get your day started. It’s also far from dull in flavor, with a variety of types and tastes from around the world to pick from. Here at The Coffee Genre, our baristas especially recommend Earl Grey and Masala chai. Try them plain, or switch it up with a London Fog or a chai latte!

3. Mushroom Coffee

We know how it sounds, but trust us on this one! Mushroom coffee is a blend of both ground mushrooms (often medicinal) and coffee beans that’s been trending recently in the world of coffee lovers. Taste wise, you likely won’t notice a difference from your regular cup of joe, but health wise, mushroom coffee has a lot to offer! Some common claims about the health benefits of mushroom coffee are that it reduces stress, strengthens the immune system, and reduces inflammation, along with other great things. With about half the caffeine of normal coffee, mushroom coffee may also be a good option for those of us who get the coffee jitters but aren’t fans of decaf. Whether you’re a fan of the benefits or just want to try something different, this trend is worth checking out!

4. Classic Coffee

Sometimes, it’s the simple things that we love best. A cup of coffee may not be as exciting as some of the other options, but it’s a true morning classic that wakes up millions every day. Much like tea, coffee has tons of variety—plenty of brew methods, beans originating from around the world, and your choice of what goes in it! Coffee is also linked to all sorts of health benefits, including lowering risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and supporting heart health, among other awesome advantages. For all the latte lovers and black coffee connoisseurs out there, coffee (in moderation, of course) remains a great way to start your day.