Jittery Joe’s Espresso Review: Breaking News Today on Neefina

Saint Patrick’s Day in March typically gets me craving for mint-flavored treats or dishes with a tinge of green, especially those shaped as shamrocks. This is when the “Leprechaun Latte” at Jittery Joe’s caught my attention.
On February 21st, I ordered a 16-ounce iced variation of the drink at their outlet located in the Zell B. Miller Student Learning Center. The promised blend of coffee, vanilla, a milk of your choice and “lucky green mint” is depicted by a vibrant matcha green color – symbolic of the spring season. I had anticipated a taste similar to McDonald’s famed “Shamrock Shake”, with a hint of a vanilla latte.
However, my expectations went tumbling when the barista served my order. The beverage was hardly identical to the one in their advertisement. Although the top and bottom hues were a light green – a mere illusion of the color I had imagined the drink to be – the middle section was a messy, brownish shade. Stirring the drink did nothing but turn the color into an unpleasant, swampy shade.
Sipping on the beverage just emphasized the overpoweringly acrid flavor of the coffee. This was no rich, smoky and creamy espresso that I’m used to. Instead, the mint flavor felt more like an afterthought and failed to complement the coffee. Contrary to the distinct minty flavor commonly associated with Saint Patrick’s Day-themed drinks, this latte tasted more like spearmint gum. I was plagued by thoughts of the barista potentially messing up my order, perhaps not adding enough mint extract.
The bitter coffee dominated each sip and ended in a mild spearmint aftertaste – there was no harmony in the flavors. Another letdown was the froth, which proved to be a feeble layer sitting atop the coffee without blending into it.
The only saving factor was the milk. Opting for the regular whole milk lent the drink a creamy texture, allowing it to be somewhat palatable.
Given the overall experience, I see no reason to order another one of these. For those seeking a fun Saint Patrick’s Day beverage, stick to shamrock shakes. Despite the discouraging review, my love for coffee led me to gulp down a second serving.
Rating: 2/5.