I’m not even ashamed to say that this was my second cup of Philz today. In order to be part of my family, you need to have your own perfect, carefully calculated, caffeine prescription. Everyone in my family has their own personalized plan – it’s just a fact of life. Though caffeine source, timing, size, and intensity may differ, everyone has tweaked and customized their own ratio to put down in stone.

My Caffeine Rx is as follows: 

1 cup of medium roast coffee (typically a k-cup from Donut shop) to get out of bed in the morning.

2nd cup to get moving (after my morning run, on my way to work, etc.).

3rd cup to really shine (this is when creative miracles happen, people!).

I am in no way ashamed of this habit. Yes, I am aware that coffee has negative side effects (cue preachers about staining teeth, the afternoon “crash”, cardiac effects, blah blah blah). However, the way I see it is this: This is my vice. I eat healthy the majority of the time. I exercise 4-5 days a week. I don’t smoke. I don’t drink alcohol (kidding! – everything is okay in moderation, am I right?!). I don’t do drugs. So if it takes three cups of coffee in the morning for me to get to butt kicking at work, then darn it, I refuse to feel guilty for that!

Rant over. This coffee came to me highly recommended from a coworker and fellow caffeine junkie. I am always wary to switch from the norm and break stride. Why try and fix what isn’t broken? My usual routine is working wonders for me, thank you very much. Plot twist: she told me you could call in your order and pick it up on the way to work. SOLD. I asked her for recommendations and after a quick analysis based on my Starbucks favorites, she recommended the Mint Mojito (non-alcoholic obviously, which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on the kind of day you are having). I ordered one and picked it up on my way to work.  Cue the symphony.

This iced beverage is so light and refreshing. All of the flavor is there without the overpowering sweetness or upset stomach that so often comes after a large cup of coffee from other locations. The mint leaf garnish provides the drink with a subtle, yet consistent flavor that honestly makes me question why I have never thought of that myself.

This bad boy was voted “Best Coffee in SF” by SF Weekly. In a city of foodies and hipsters, that is not a title to be taken lightly. I would like to second that nomination and fully endorse caffeine junkies everywhere to try Philz Coffee. You will not be disappointed.