Honduran Finca Liquidambar Catuai drip at Birch Coffee
Notes of chocolate and raspberry infuse this Central American pour. Gershwin Hotel, 5 E 27th St between Fifth and Madison Aves (212-686-1444, birchcoffee.com). $2--$3.25.
Cuban espresso at East Harlem Cafe
A baristas pours a packet of raw sugar directly onto the grounds of Finger Lakes dark java before brewing, resulting in a presweetened, pecan-tinged pick-me-up. 1651 Lexington Ave at 104th St (212-996-2080, eastharlemcafe.com). $1.75.
Red Eye at Housing Works Bookstore Cafe
A shot of Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso gives regular coffee a serious kick in the pants. 26 Crosby St between E Houston and Prince Sts (212-334-3324, housingworks.org). $2.50--$4.50.
Spanish latte at Think Coffee
This latte riff pairs steamed whole milk and velvety sweetened condensed milk with Think's proprietary espresso—a fair-trade blend derived from Porto Rico Importing Co. beans. 248 Mercer St between 3rd and 4th Sts (212-228-6226,thinkcoffeenyc.com). $4.49.
Americano at Battery Place Market
We like to order it with Stumptown's signature Hair Bender blend, which has a pleasantly bittersweet finish, before setting off on a stroll through Battery Park. 77 Battery Pl at 3rd Pl (212-786-0077). $2.50.
Vietnamese coffees at the Coffee Foundry
Find two takes on the style at this cafe-cum--karaoke bar. There's a caramel-tinged mixture of French press--brewed coffee and sweetened condensed milk, as well as a more classic interpretation made with a blend of organic dark-roast coffee and chicory—both are standouts. 186 W 4th St between Barrow and Jones Sts (coffeefoundry.com)
Bicerin at Eataly
The Italian megastore offers this popular Piedmontese concoction, featuring thick hot chocolate, espresso and a cool layer of heavy cream. 200 Fifth Ave between 23rd and 24th Sts (212-229-2560, eataly.com). $4.
House blend at the Grey Dog
Roasted upstate specifically for Grey Dog, this strong house brew serves as no-nonsense fuel for everyone from NYU students to stroller-pushing moms. 90 University Pl between 11th and 12th Sts (212-414-4739) * 33 Carmine St between Bedford and Bleecker Sts (212-462-0041) * 242 W 16th St between Seventh and Eighth Aves (212-229-2345) *thegreydog.com. $1.75--$2.
Summer Road at the Randolph at Broome
This balanced blend of malted-milk powder, Oaxacan chocolate and your choice of nerdworthy beans (rotating purveyors include Counter Culture and Intelligentsia) bears the mark of a thoughtful mixologist. Order it over Kold-Draft ice cubes at the bar and watch the improved mocha come to life in a pint glass. 349 Broome St between Bowery and Elizabeth St (212-274-0667, randolphnyc.com). $7.
Mezzo at The Smile
This sophisticated half-and-half blend of espresso and steamed milk is less foamy than a cappuccino. 26 Bond St at Lafayette St (646-329-5836, thesmilenyc.com). $3.
Latte at Saturdays
Find excellent La Colombe Torrefaction lattes at this cafe--surf shop hybrid, minus the morning lines found at the Philadelphia roaster's flagship a few blocks away. 31 Crosby St between Broome and Grand Sts (212-966-7875,saturdaysnyc.com). $4.
Cappuccino at Caffe Reggio
Reggio claims to have introduced New Yorkers to the cappuccino drink some 75 years ago. Order one—it's gently bitter and perfectly foamy—and get one of the overstuffed cannoli ($3.75) while you're at it. 119 MacDougal St between Minetta Ln and W 3rd St (212-475-9557, caffereggio.com). $3.75.
Intelligensia brews at Ground Support
The rotating selection of beans is sourced seasonally (recent favorites included a light, brightly flavored Rwandan variety), and the friendly staff will help you decide whether Chemex or AeroPress is the best brewing method for you. 399 West Broadway at Spring St (212-219-8722)
Russian coffee at the Hungarian Pastry Shop
This bittersweet brew is enhanced with espresso, chocolate and whipped cream. 1030 Amsterdam Ave between 110th and 111th Sts (212-866-4230). $3.75.
MudTruck blend at Mudspot
The East Village joint makes its own custom blends, mainly from Central and South American beans; this one is full-bodied and naturally sweet, with cherry and rich cocoa notes. 307 E 9th St between First and Second Aves (212-228-9074, mudnyc.com). $2.50--$4.50.
Steamed cappuccino at Ost Café
This expertly steamed quaff is made with a double shot of rich, gently sweet Black Cat espresso and a cap of silky foam.441 E 12th St at Ave A (212-477-5600, ostcafenyc.com). $3.75.
Espresso at Roasting Plant
Roasting Plant stands out for its extreme take on a fresh cuppa: The beans for every order are sucked into a futuristic set of tubes, where they're roasted, ground and brewed in a matter of minutes, minimizing bean-to-cup time and maximizing deliciousness. Behold the results in a clean, crisp shot of espresso, served in an insulated Bodum cup. 75 Greenwich Ave between Seventh Ave and W 11th St (212-775-7755, roastingplant.com). $2.
Soy vanilla latte at Soy Cafe
Brewed with fair trade--certified Dallis beans, this dairy-free delight has a pleasantly nutty zing, and the vanilla doesn't overwhelm. 115 Greenwich Ave at Jane St (212-229-9898, soycafenyc.com). $4.50.
Pour-overs at Joe
The V-60 ceramic drip cone made by the Japanese company Hario has become the standard for those seeking a pure, delicate cup. Joe uses it to showcase a revolving selection of four superlative single-origin beans. Owner Jonathan Rubinstein finds the drip cone works particularly well with African coffees, muting their acidity so that the overall complexity of the beans come through. Multiple locations, visit joetheartofcoffee.com
Pour-overs at Gimme! Coffee
The Clever filter cone used at Gimme! lets the grinds sit in hot water for a few minutes before being filtered out. The result is a brew that has the body of coffee made in a French press, with the grit-free clarity of a paper-filtered variety. The lineup of featured roasters changes with the seasons at Gimme!, but be on the lookout for the superb Honduras Las Peitas Cup of Excellence. Grown and fermented on a small family farm in Santa Brbara, it's smooth-bodied and sweet, with red-fruit and caramel notes. 228 Mott St between Prince and Spring Sts (212-226-4011, gimmecoffee.com)
Café Mocha at Knave
The coffee bar in Le Parker Meridien keeps a rich ganache, made fresh every day from a combination of Valrhona chocolate, cream and milk, in a constantly stirring, temperature-controlled vat, to deploy in this excellent rendition of a mocha. Le Parker Meridien New York, 118 W 57th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves (212-708-7392,parkermeridien.com)
Gibraltar at La Colombe Torrefaction
This smooth concoction–a double espresso with micro-foamed milk—is served in a four-ounce rocks glass with a dainty spoon on the side. 270 Lafayette St between E Houston and Prince Sts (212-625-1717, lacolombe.com) * 319 Church St at Lispenard St (212-343-1515)
AeroPress at RBC NYC
This Tribeca café rotates its selection for the AeroPress each month, leaning toward fruit-forward, tropical Ethiopian beans. Ritual Coffee Roasters' vibrant vibrant Costa Rican Helsar de Zarcero is our favorite thanks to its crisp acidity and sweet citrus and milk-chocolate flavors. 71 Worth St between Broadway and Church St (212-226-1111, rbcnyc.com)
AeroPress at Everyman Espresso
This minimalist shop's stock of special, single-origin beans are best enjoyed after they've been brewed in an AeroPress. Counter Culture's Atu Lintang Microlot, a bold Sumatran with sugarcane and dark cherry notes, is an exceptional pick. 136 E 13th St between Third and Fourth Aves (212-533-0524, everymanespresso.com)
French press at Peels
Stumptown's Holler Mountain, a rich, dark and heavy-bodied blend, emerges round and full-flavored from the plunger pot at this homey hot spot. 325 Bowery at 2nd St (646-602-7015, peelsnyc.com)
Machine-drip coffee at Bluebird
While bean nerds might scoff at machine-drip coffee, Bluebird balances convenience with a commitment to quality, swapping out urns every 30 minutes, before the java's brightness starts to fade. The shop keeps Colombian varieties—round with brown-sugar and pepper notes—in regular rotation. 72 E 1st St between First and Second Aves (212-260-879,bluebirdcoffeeshop.com)
Machine-drip coffee at Third Rail
Fetco, the most advanced commercial drip brewer available, churns out three-liter pots on a near-constant basis to ensure freshness at this bean mecca. For a convenient to-go cup, owner Humberto Ricardo uses the crowd-pleasing House Blend from Intelligentsia—it's a smooth, chocolaty roast, with a touch of acidity and substantial sweetness. 240 Sullivan St between Bleecker and W 3rd Sts (thirdrailcoffee.com)
