The first drink I ever bought in downtown Princeton was a blueberry matcha from Junbi.
It was sweet and cold and a flavor combination I’d never tried before. After this came the strawberry and mango matcha lattes, which I knew I’d hate given my usual taste in fruit, but at that time, it was a part of my attempt to try new things in a brand new place. The madagascar vanilla matcha latte—which would become my sister’s favorite every time she’s in town—was another failed attempt for my lack of a sweet tooth, but I remember how sunny and warm that day was.
If freshman year was a drink, it’d be an iced matcha latte, ranging from bittersweet to sickly sweet. It’d be every flavor combination under the sun, sometimes perfect and sometimes not. My first semester at Princeton was filled with a million new and different experiences. Although I remember feeling scared and nervous at times, especially during my first few weeks on campus, I was also the most excited I’d ever been. That’s the thing with uncertainty sometimes—despite dealing with stressors I’d never encountered before, everything was a brand new puzzle to sort out. I was meeting new people, taking classes in as many departments as possible, and experiencing living away from home for the first time. By springtime, I had my usual at Junbi.
Sophomore year was the year of routine and familiarity. I knew I’d major in Politics by this point and had started finding my academic niche. I had my specific study spots, I knew exactly how to balance my time, and I’d settled into many fulfilling friendships. Truthfully, it was the most (relatively) relaxed I’d ever been at Princeton. Every exam season was fueled by hot chocolate from Small World, and on Declaration Day, when sophomores declare their majors and take pictures with their department banners, I returned to Junbi for a blended honey lavender matcha. Sophomore year was sweet and comfortable.
And then came junior year, with its new challenges and tribulations.
Junior year was a search for the best coffee near campus. It was raspberry vanilla lattes from Small World on my way to an afternoon Politics class; cappuccinos from Maman paired with delicious pastries when on a study break with Anki; seasonal drinks from Coffee Club while I rushed from class to class; warm cappuccinos enjoyed right outside of Illy with my favorite chocolate croissants and iPad in hand; and a constant supply of NOLA cold brews from Small World during reading period.
Truth be told, junior year was more caffeinated than I would have liked—and equally hectic—but it was a year of adjustment and growth within both my routines and myself.
From matchas to cappuccinos, I’ve learned my way around campus and navigated life as it has come. Go-to orders change, but the warm feeling of shared memories never does, and if you get at least one thing out of this blog, may it be a thoughtfully curated list of drink recommendations around campus and a reminder there’s something for everyone.