The Best Coffee Drinks for People Who Don’t Like Coffee

Not everyone falls in love with coffee at first sip. For some, it’s the bitterness; for others, it’s the strong, roasted flavor that feels a little overwhelming. The good news? You don’t have to be a classic coffee lover to enjoy coffee-based drinks. There are plenty of beginner-friendly options that are smooth, sweet, and surprisingly delicious—even for people who swear they “don’t like coffee.”

Start With a Latte

If you want something mild, order a latte. It’s mostly steamed milk with just a shot or two of espresso. The milk softens the intensity, creating a creamy, comforting drink that’s more about texture than strong coffee flavor. Add a flavor like vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut, and you might forget you’re drinking coffee at all.

Try a Mocha for a Chocolate Twist

A mocha is perfect if you love hot chocolate but haven’t yet warmed up to coffee. It blends espresso with chocolate syrup and steamed milk. The chocolate does a fantastic job smoothing out bitterness, and the result tastes more like a dessert than a caffeine boost.

Iced Drinks Make Things Even Easier

For many non-coffee drinkers, the cold versions are the real winners. An iced vanilla latte, iced caramel macchiato, or iced white chocolate mocha offers a refreshing, sweet flavor that’s gentler than hot coffee. The cold temperature naturally mutes bitterness, making iced drinks ideal for beginners.

Blended Drinks Are Practically Milkshakes

If you still want even less coffee flavor, go blended. Frappes, blended mochas, and espresso shakes are frothy, sweet, and topped with whipped cream—they’re the gateway drinks for people who think coffee tastes too strong. The coffee flavor is present, but only lightly.

Add Flavor (Don’t Be Shy About It!)

Syrups and sauces can completely transform your drink. Vanilla, caramel, toffee nut, brown sugar, Irish cream, white chocolate, and seasonal flavors like pumpkin or peppermint make coffee feel much more approachable. Don’t hesitate to customize—baristas expect it!

Where to Try These in Olympia

If you want to ease into coffee without the strong flavor, stop by Madres Espresso in Olympia. Their menu is packed with beginner-friendly drinks—iced, hot, blended, you name it—and the baristas are great at helping you find something that fits your taste. Whether you’re new to coffee or just picky about flavor, Madres Espresso makes it fun (and delicious) to experiment.