Ranking 9 Coffee Drinks from 7 Brew: My Taste Test Experience

If you’re curious about what to order at 7 Brew, you’ve come to the right place! After exploring a range of drinks from this popular coffee chain, I’ve compiled a ranking to help you make informed choices. Although 7 Brew doesn’t have a traditional menu, relying instead on an online guide, it’s been gaining traction since its establishment in 2017, particularly in the Ozarks region and beyond.

As a former barista, I have a unique perspective on these drinks, evaluating them based on factors like bitterness, mouthfeel, and flavor profiles. With that in mind, I hope this ranking of nine distinct 7 Brew coffee beverages aids in your decision-making at your next visit.

Regrettably, the brown sugar and cinnamon Americano was my least favorite drink. Historically, the Americano emerged when American soldiers in World War II requested coffee in cafés using only espresso machines. Since 7 Brew lacks regular coffee brewing equipment, the Americano is a version of espresso diluted with hot water and is the nearest option to traditional brewed coffee.

I thought the use of brown sugar and cinnamon would enhance the flavor, especially since these notes typically work well in black coffee. Nevertheless, the Americano turned out to be unpleasantly bitter and diluted. Adding half-and-half did lessen the bitterness but could not completely salvage the messy cinnamon flavor. Opt for a different coffee shop for a quality Americano.

The cupcake-flavored cappuccino attracted me most among various classic iterations. Beginning with a traditional cappuccino, it incorporates cupcake syrup for a unique twist. However, my expectations were dashed. I anticipated a well-frothed drink, but got primarily foam instead.

This cappuccino was lesser than ideal, starting off unpromisingly light when I picked it up. Only half of the cup contained espresso and steamed milk, while just a fraction of the remaining space had foam. The flavor was also disappointing; the bitterness was less prominent compared to the Americano, but the synthetic cupcake taste contributed to an underwhelming experience. Overall, this cupcake cappuccino wouldn’t earn my repeat order.

Surprisingly, the 7 Brew vanilla latte ranked lower than I anticipated. While the ingredients—a simple combination of espresso, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup—should ideally create a crowd-pleaser, the execution did not meet expectations.

I expected no issues with this drink, as I frequently enjoy lattes. However, the result was notably bitter, overshadowing the vanilla flavor. The mouthfeel felt thin, which was disappointing, given that I enjoy a creamier texture. A good amount of crema on top was the silver lining, but otherwise, this drink remains a subsection of disappointment. If you prefer a lighter and less creamy latte, it might suit your taste more than mine.

Opting for the funnel cake macchiato was a misstep. While traditional macchiatos consist of espresso with a hint of steamed milk, the rendition at 7 Brew combines flavored syrups that evoke nothing of classic macchiatos. The blend consists of salted caramel, white chocolate, and vanilla for a richer experience.

The texture distinguished this drink, featuring pleasantly creamy milk and a light foam layer on top. Yet, the funnel cake flavor failed to deliver; it imitated a candle more than the delightful dessert. Despite its placement in the rankings, I appreciated the consistency and mouthfeel more than the flavor profile. I might retry a macchiato but with a different flavor next time.

Eagerly anticipated, the snickerdoodle mocha did not disappoint. Merging the flavors of mocha with elements like brown sugar and cinnamon, it pleased my palate more than the other drinks. While sugary, this drink strikes a harmonious balance, with the bitterness of espresso playing a subtle supporting role.

Yet, the cinnamon takes center stage, overshadowing the chocolate notes. To be candid, I barely registered any chocolate flavor in this drink—a common complaint I’ve encountered from others who visited 7 Brew. Even so, as I continued sipping, the drink grew on me, and I appreciated the cozy snickerdoodle flavor. It’s ranked among my top three drinks from 7 Brew.

The 7 Brew Blondie has garnered significant buzz, provoking mixed reviews that piqued my interest. This breve-style drink—crafted with half and half instead of regular milk—delivers a creamier experience. The classic Blondie flavor incorporates both vanilla and caramel syrups, standing out as a delicious offering, but some flavored variations surpass the original.

Creaminess is the standout feature; the half and half mitigates bitterness effectively, delivering an indulgent texture. Though I lean towards less rich coffee drinks, the Blondie’s flavor and consistency warrant at least one taste. Even if it doesn’t become your go-to order, it’s worth experiencing to discover the hype surrounding it.

I included the Irish cream Blondie on my list after encountering frequent praise in online reviews. Similar to the regular Blondie, this breve contains half and half for a creamy texture, along with a trio of syrups: vanilla, caramel, and Irish cream. While it ranks just slightly above the original, both drinks essentially deliver the same experience.

After tasting them side by side, the differences became negligibly faint; both options are rich and lower in bitterness compared to other choices. It’s difficult to differentiate them, though the Irish cream might contribute an extra touch of creaminess. Family members also sampled the drinks, and this one stood out as a favorite. A worthwhile option for sure!

I was pleasantly surprised by the White Mac cold brew, which exceeded my expectations. This drink combines cold brew coffee with chocolate macadamia nut and white chocolate syrups, generating an enticing flavor. As the only cold drink in this ranking, it offers delightful notes of both coffee and flavorings.

I sampled it black first, then with half-and-half. Remarkably, it was enjoyable without creamer, even for those averse to black coffee. The slight bitterness felt appealing, particularly due to the cold brew method. Adding half-and-half, however, made it resemble regular coffee with creamer; it marginally diminished the drink’s unique charm. The White Mac flavor resembles chocolate-covered cherries, fitting perfectly with the coffee. For me, it’s among my top three favorite flavors from 7 Brew.

Here we are at the top of the list: the banana bread Blondie. This drink combines the traditional Blondie base with flavored syrups to replicate the delightful essence of banana bread. The impressive creamy mouthfeel coupled with rich flavors makes it a standout choice.

Thanks to its luscious creaminess, the banana bread Blondie strikes a balance that effectively minimizes the espresso’s bitterness. This drink is like savoring caramelized banana bread in liquid form; its authentic flavors are pleasingly non-artificial. I had high hopes based on recommendations from others, and they were not misplaced. If you’re new to 7 Brew, starting with this drink could be a delightful introduction; it might even be hard to move on to others afterward.

To create this ranking, I personally sampled each drink and compared them based on flavor, smoothness, and bitterness levels. I scrutinized how well the flavors were executed, noting any chemical or artificial aftertastes. My goal was to ensure a variety of drink types—from lattes to cold brews—were included.

While I sought a broad selection, drinks within the breve category dominated my choices due to their social media hype, making them prime candidates. I focused on flavors that piqued my interest and selected from both the 7 Classics and 7 Originals list, avoiding numerous repetitions. Additionally, I maintained a preference for hot beverages (aside from the cold brew) to ensure quality ratings remained unaffected by melted ice.

I also applied the 7 Brew approach of requesting half sweetness for a balanced experience, given the sweet nature of many drinks.