The best coffee for non-coffee drinkers is often those that are flavored. The less coffee flavor in the cup, the better.
I’ll tell you a secret – my husband hates coffee. So the only “coffee drinks” he typically drinks are those that are hardly coffee at all – think venti Frappuccinos from Starbucks with only one espresso shot or those other Starbucks drinks that are full of syrups and flavorings. However, after many attempts, I have found some types of coffee he likes – and I’m comfortable actually calling it coffee.
Below, I’ll take a look at some of the best coffees for non-coffee drinkers on the market. So whether you’re trying to open a loved one’s eyes to coffee or looking for a coffee that you might enjoy, I hope you find something suitable below.
How To Rate Non-Coffee Coffee
Rating coffee for non-coffee drinkers is a bit complicated. After all, you can’t rate it as you would normally rate coffee – as those are the exact coffees that non-coffee drinkers don’t like!
Typically, you’ll want a flavored option for most non-coffee drinkers. Therefore, part of my criteria inevitably was, “How much does this taste like real coffee?” I wanted it to taste similar to coffee but not so close that non-coffee drinkers wouldn’t like it.
However, I also recognize that some non-coffee lovers use their morning cup of joe as a pick-me-up. They may not like how it lands on their taste buds, but they want that caffeine hit. For them, I’ve included a couple of strong caffeine options. These people will never like the taste, but at least in this instance, they’ll get a good boost of caffeine and won’t be reaching for a second cup of hot coffee that they won’t enjoy.
Tips For Serving Coffee To Non-Coffee Drinkers
If somebody close to you is new to coffee or doesn’t like the taste of coffee but wants to give it a go, then thread lightly. They are unlikely to love a shot of espresso or black coffee.
However, if you give them a barista-standard mocha or caramel macchiato, you have a chance. Although the health benefits aren’t nonexistent here, the sweetness of the chocolate syrup and cocoa powder does mask the bitter flavors of the coffee. If they have less of a sweet tooth, perhaps an iced coffee could do the trick. The flavors are different when the coffee is cold, and they may actually prefer it that way.
If all else fails and your friend still doesn’t like coffee, then worry not. They can still go to the coffee house; they will have to order a green tea or a black tea, a matcha chai latte, or one of the other non-coffee options on the menu.
Best Coffee For Non-Coffee Drinkers
Here are the best coffees for non-coffee drinkers in the market:
1. Organo Gold Gourmet Cafe Mocha
Organo Gold is easily one of the best ground coffees out there that is accessible to most people. It is widely available. You can even purchase it on Amazon!
Their Cafe Mocha flavor is perfect for those that don’t really like coffee. It tastes closer to a cup of hot chocolate than it does coffee. The coffee flavors are incredibly subtle, making it perfect for those who don’t like the taste of coffee.
If a non-coffee drinker likes this coffee, it isn’t terribly difficult for them to branch out. For instance, there are peppermint mochas make a popular choice during the winter months.
2. Don Francisco’s Vanilla Nut Flavored Ground Coffee
Vanilla coffee will have a bit of a stronger coffee taste than Cafe Mocha. After all, vanilla isn’t as good at covering stuff up as chocolate. But, with that said, some people prefer the vanilla flavor.
I recommend this flavor for non-coffee drinkers who don’t like overly sweet things. The cafe mocha can be a bit too chocolate for some drinkers. In these cases, Vanilla Nut can be a much better option.
This specific vanilla nut coffee is 100% arabica coffee. Furthermore, this coffee is decaffeinated. Therefore, if the non-coffee drinker doesn’t like coffee’s caffeine content, this may also be a suitable option.
3. Door County Chocolate Caramel Truffle
This coffee by Door County is extremely well-flavored, which is exactly why I recommend it for non-coffee drinkers. It doesn’t taste much like coffee at all. It is extremely sweet, and the flavors are full and pleasantly smooth.
It is excellent for those trying to watch their calories, as it doesn’t include any added sugar, despite the taste. Door County also offers a range of other flavored coffees, giving you plenty of non-coffee-tasting coffee options. I love that this coffee is made in small batches, as this improves the quality.
So often, when it comes to those who don’t like coffee, you need to find high-quality coffee. Most people who proclaim themselves “not coffee people” haven’t tried anything but Folgers. With that said, this coffee is quite sweet, so those without a sweet tooth may not like it.
4. New England Coffee Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin spice has become a perennial coffee shop favorite. It is an accessible introduction to coffee for non-coffee drinkers, as the pumpkin spice will cover up much of the coffee flavor.
While this isn’t the best coffee in the world, it is inexpensive, so great for those on a budget. It is made from arabica coffee, as are most of the coffees on this list. You can typically find this brand at most major stores, though the pumpkin spice flavor is seasonal.
I recommend getting some actual pumpkin spice to finish off this coffee – with perhaps some whipped cream as well. In many cases, this will help tone down the coffee flavor even more for non-coffee drinkers.
It’s an ideal option to ‘pump’ up your regular pumpkin spice latte. However, this flavor will obviously work best for those who already like pumpkin spice. Otherwise, you may want to choose a different option on this list.
5. Caribou Coffee Daybreak Morning Blend
Yes, this is just regular coffee. However, it has an extremely light roast so that it won’t be nearly as bitter as other coffees out there. Therefore, if you’re looking for a plain coffee for non-coffee drinkers, these grounds by Caribou Coffee are probably your best option.
This coffee does provide some subtle fruit sweetness. It tastes a lot like cherries. While some non-coffee drinkers will prefer the lighter roast, there is a chance they will not be able to taste the subtle flavors in the beans.
Because this ground coffee still tastes quite like coffee, we recommend it mainly for those who have branched out to flavored coffees and are looking for something a little closer to real coffee. However, it is an excellent option for someone’s first-ever espresso shot.
6. Death Wish Coffee
Let’s face facts; if you are drinking coffee and don’t like its taste, then you are probably doing it for the caffeine boost. And as the old saying goes, ‘You can go big, or you can go home,’ and Death Wish Coffee is certainly ‘going big’ with two to four times the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee.
It’s a surprisingly smooth blend that goes well in a caffe latte or cappuccino so that you can water down the coffee taste even more. However, if it’s your first ever tasting coffee, then maybe go with one of the other ground coffee options on this list.
However, if you are already on your coffee journey, taking a cup of joe each morning for that caffeine buzz despite not liking the taste, this is an option that makes the process worth it.
7. Cameron’s Coffee French Vanilla
When you put these beans into your coffee maker, the unmistakable scent of French vanilla will fill your nostrils. It’s a delicious, rich coffee, with much of the bitterness removed from the final taste. In other words, it’s one of the best coffees for non-coffee drinkers.
If you want to indulge in the vanilla theme, add some vanilla syrup and frothed hot milk and make a vanilla latte. That’s one way to turn a non-believer into a coffee lover. Of course, it’s not quite the same as giving them a strong espresso drink, but this can be their gateway to enjoying all the goodness of coffee.
Cameron’s is a great brand if you are trying to find that elusive flavor for the non-coffee drinker in your life. It has an array of varieties, with over 60 options in total, so you are sure to find something they like. And if you don’t, at least you will have fun looking for it.
8. Island Toasted ‘Coconut Kiss’
The light coconut flavor mixes well with the coffee to make what can only be described as the perfect flat white. This is a coffee that’s fresh and smooth and hard not to like. It also works brilliantly as a homemade cold-brew coffee.
In this blend, they use 100% arabica coffee beans, making for an excellent espresso for coffee lovers trying to bring non-enthusiasts on a coffee journey who need a pick-me-up.
Island Toasted is an excellent brand for flavored coffee. As well as this coconut option, they also offer caramel, pecan, cinnamon hazelnut, french vanilla, blueberry, chocolate, and seasonal options. Therefore, you will surely find at least one type of coffee the non-coffee drinker in your life enjoys.
Island Toasted is also a family-run coffee roaster, so it’s nice to support smaller operations that are competing against The Starbucks of this world. They operate out of Staten Island, where they create perfect blends of flavored coffee.
9. Eight O’Clock Coffee Vermont Maple Bourbon
Here’s a coffee beverage you will look forward to putting in the French press after dinner. Of course, other brewing methods work just as well, but we just love the aroma of the bourbon and coffee as we wait to press down the plunger.
This could be an option for the bourbon lover who hasn’t been convinced of the epicness of coffee just yet. Vermont is renowned for its maple syrup and its bourbon, so Eight O’Clock has combined the pair to make a sweet-flavored coffee that has that bite of bourbon. Mixing the two could have conversion powers like you’ve never seen before.
Arabica beans are used here to make for a smooth cup. No matter what brewing method you use, you will end up with tasty flavors.
10. Barnie’s Coffee Tea Co. German Chocolate Cake
We will finish with this ground Coffee option, which is flavored to taste like the most decadent chocolate cake you have ever had. There are flavors of chocolate (obviously!), coconut, and hazelnut within these arabica beans, and it is one for both coffee newbies and coffee lovers alike. Barnie’s Coffee’s main aim is to create the most “dramatically delicious coffee in the world.”
They have achieved that aim with this brew. If you love chocolate, then it’s likely that you will like this drink. It is like being transported into a beautiful European cafe, with the smell of dessert and coffee mixing together in a delightful fashion.
And trust us; there’s no need to add sweetener to this brew. That is despite the fact that their coffee is free of sugar. Thus, you can indulge your sweet tooth without worrying about the negative effects of sugar.
