As a person who has at least three cups of coffee a day, giving it up for Lent was one of the most difficult decisions I had to make. I was expecting 40 days of pure agony: cravings, jitters and a really bad attendance record for my 9ams.

However, it is now two weeks into Lent and I can proudly say that I am completely fine without coffee. After venturing out of my comfort zone, I thought I’d share my new staple drinks with you and Spoon to help all of you get through a coffee-free day.

1. Mint Matcha Latte: Caffé Strada

Photo by Irene Kim" src="https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2015/03/IMG_3887-1024x683.jpg" alt="coffee" width="1024" height="683" />

Photo by Irene Kim

Matcha lattes always seemed like coffee cop-outs. Bland and lacking any true matcha taste, these lattes were never a personal favorite. Caffé Strada, however, changed my mind. This mint matcha latte is so smooth and has a minty fragrance that will sooth your midterm stresses away. The notes of matcha perfectly hit the spot and leave a slightly bitter aftertaste. If you want to go a day without coffee, this is without a doubt your best way to go.

2. Hot Apple Cider: Free Speech Movement Café

Photo by Irene Kim" src="https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2015/03/IMG_3857-1024x683.jpg" alt="coffee" width="1024" height="683" />

Photo by Irene Kim

If it’s cold outside and I can’t order my typical caramel hazelnut mocha, hot apple cider does the trick. This hot apple cider’s strong spicy flavor is sure to warm you up immediately—perfect for anyone feeling under the weather or needing a little pick-me-up. Its light, crisp, apple aftertaste compliments the initial spiciness to give you an overall comforting experience.

3. Hot Chocolate: Bleecker Bistro

Photo by Irene Kim" src="https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2015/03/IMG_3848-1024x683.jpg" alt="coffee" width="1024" height="683" />

Photo by Irene Kim

What list of drinks would be complete without the classic hot chocolate? Bleecker’s hot chocolate ticks all the boxes for a perfect cocoa. About an inch of foam sits on top of every glass of dark chocolate milk that feels like velvet. Though a bit of a cheat, a slight hint of espresso truly enhances the taste of chocolate, making this drink the best transition drink for someone trying to give up coffee. Spoon tip: To avoid Bleecker’s brunch rush, stop by before it closes (around 6:30 PM) for a great post-class hot cocoa.

4. GT’s Synergy Kombucha

Photo Courtesy of GT’s Kombucha" src="https://spoonuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2015/03/kombucha.png" alt="coffee" width="914" height="485" />

Photo Courtesy of GT’s Kombucha

For all of you adventurous people, the strong, almost booze-y bottles of Kombucha found around campus can easily replace anyone’s cup of coffee. My personal favorite is guava, which offers the perfect balance of sweetness and a sour punch to get me going for the day. The drinks have only 7g of sugar and loads of probiotics and vitamins, making it by far the healthiest and most effective drink of these four choices.

Hopefully my caffeine-free adventures will inspire you to expand your drinking palate and find some new favorites. To all of you who have also given up a food addiction for Lent, although it is definitely a trying experience, treat it as an opportunity to expand your horizons! Spoon wishes you all the best of luck for the next month.