Those Who Don't Drink Coffee or Trying to Stay Away from Coffee, What Hot Drinks Do You Buy outside?

meong on 22/06/2025 - 20:11
Last edited 22/06/2025 - 21:04

I'm an avid coffee drinker. I have like five different methods of brewing coffee at home.

Lately, I've been wanting to reduce caffeine intake due growing sensitivity towards coffee (maybe due to age). But I love the taste of coffee. I love it so much that I don't even drink it with milk. It's always long black, or various forms of filter coffee (pour over, percolator, syphon, cold brew, etc).

I have been noticing in the recent colder months that if I go out and want to buy a hot beverage on the go which has the same texture as a long black, I find there isn't much choice.

I can enjoy hot chocolate, but its too milky and filling so it won't be my first choice especially if I'm drinking it with food (sweet pastries for example).

At home, i have various options such as decaf coffee, chai, 'proper' tea (such as indonesian tea, pu-er tea or T2), ginger drinks, etc but outside, many cafes don't even have 'proper' tea. Like it's annoying that when you buy coffee you get it made by trained barista's but when you buy tea, you pay the same price for a tea bag!

It's kinda funny that maybe many years ago during a trip to China i was complaining about how there are too many places serving good tea but not enough places serving good coffee that sometimes all you had back then were Starbucks. Now, i'm complaining about the opposite in Australia (specifically Melbourne).

If you have other suggestion of hot drinks (that don't have sugar) to buy on the go to keep warm in the colder months, I'd also love to hear it!

Food & Grocery

Comments

        • meong on 24/06/2025 - 19:37

          Thats the point of this post 🤣

          For non-coffee alternative let's say at Mc Cafe, the tea option is overpriced for what you get

  • Melencir on 22/06/2025 - 21:50
    +1

    Some bubble tea places serve hot drinks, usually tea. No idea how good those are though

    • meong on 22/06/2025 - 21:53

      actually good point, there are many gong chas in malls now and they do serve tea with no sugar at all

      • jaypee06 on 25/06/2025 - 13:52

        Taro Coconut with pearls, hot

  • Banj0 on 22/06/2025 - 21:53

    What’s the sensitivity? Caffeine? Sugar? Something else?

    I rather like Inglewood’s decaf at home if I want to avoid caffeine. I don’t often drink coffee when out. We’ve got options of pourover, French press, and espresso at home, but I still usually only have one cup a day.

    • meong on 22/06/2025 - 22:15

      caffeine sensitivity… i had stopped energy drinks as well many years ago due to this as well but lately my sensitivity is now affected by coffee as well…

      i never put sugar in my coffee unless of course if it comes as specialty drinks such as vietnamese iced coffee etc

      • ForkSnorter on 23/06/2025 - 08:21

        What are the symptoms of this sensitivity?

        • meong on 23/06/2025 - 09:14

          symptoms mentioned here:

          https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/caffeine-sensitivity…

          • ForkSnorter on 23/06/2025 - 09:30

            @meong: I get some stomach bloating (interferes with sleep) when I drink too much coffee. So I switched from 3-4 shots per day to 1-2 shots. I initially thought caffeine increases my anxiety, but don't anymore. I actually feel more anxious when I'm not drinking coffee. Also less happy and more irritable.

            • meong on 23/06/2025 - 09:53

              @ForkSnorter: do you know Quicksilver in Marvel movies where he is always impatient and irritable? i became like that few times and when i realised it, i just gulped down a large bottle of water to flush the caffeine out of the system

              i usually only drink 1 coffee cup per day albeit a strong one as i make them at home before work using the double shot portafilter on my breville 920. but you know that breville's double shot is still weaker than a professional coffee machine's double shot.

              • ForkSnorter on 23/06/2025 - 10:28

                @meong:

                breville's double shot is still weaker than a professional coffee machine's double shot.

                Probably depends how much you can pack in there. I pack about 20.5 grams in. Also, some beans can have up to twice as much caffeine as others. I switched from one bean to another the other day, and felt sleepy and cranky all that day. Fell asleep at 11am for 2 hours, and slept for about 10 hours that night too. Switched back the next day and felt fine.

  • cashless on 22/06/2025 - 22:51
    +3

    Vegemite + hot water

    • hipi on 23/06/2025 - 11:13

      There's a cafe in Sydney that makes Vegemite lattes….

      • meong on 23/06/2025 - 11:25

        okay, but i wouldnt mind it cause im weird like that

    • Embaloo on 23/06/2025 - 21:42

      😱

  • morse on 23/06/2025 - 02:09
    +1

    Chai latte, Tumeric latte, green tea/matcha latte.

    Chai and matcha still have caffeine, but not as much. Tumeric latte is not available everywhere. These are all milk based though.

    Rooibos to add to your at home options. Also consider buying a good quality hot flask for hot drinks on the go.

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 09:48

      yeah my home options are plenty… and if i take public transport/drive to work in the morning, i can bring whatever i want from home.

      but once you're already outside for a few hours and just want a nice hot drink to get in restaurants, or during a bike ride, etc sometimes you don't have much options as it's a bit tricky to carry something with you for that kind of activity let alone keeping it warm for long enough

  • IndigoHarlequin on 23/06/2025 - 07:26
    +2

    I don't do hot drinks at all.

    On the very rare occasions where I might order one, it's a hot choc with skinny milk. Like you, the milky heaviness is too much.

    • jhaley3180 on 23/06/2025 - 11:35
      +2

      I don't drink hot drinks. Very rarely, maybe once or twice a year I might have a hot chocolate when it's cold. When I'm out with others having coffee a vary between mineral waters, maybe a sugar free something or the occasional milkshake.

  • Chmmr on 23/06/2025 - 07:27
    +1

    I was a vanilla coke addict and had my kidney out at the start of the year, meaning I can't have caffeine any more. I just have sparkling water most of the time, or bring my own raspberry soft drink.

    In regards to hot drinks, licorice tea is what I'm drinking.

  • topherboi on 23/06/2025 - 07:28
    +1

    Why not just detox from caffeine for a bit?

    I stopping drinking coffee for three months at the start of the year as I was overdue for a reset after drinking it daily for well over a decade.

    • SlickMick on 23/06/2025 - 08:42
      +1

      I found that it resets your tolerance too. I can't drink coffee at night anymore.

      I keep trying to switch to decaf, but I prefer instant coffee and decaf is 3x the price.

  • Lastchancetosee on 23/06/2025 - 08:46
    +2

    Rooibos and decaf tea, plus herbal teas, of course.

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 09:44

      this is the point im trying to make, at home, sure you can brew them but outside… cafe's selection of tea have been lacking

  • 82norm on 23/06/2025 - 09:34
    +1

    Bonox or spoonful of vegimite in hot water.

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 09:43
      +1

      i dare you tell me a cafe that serves vegemite in hot water

      • eek on 23/06/2025 - 10:47

        Just heat up some raw sewerage water

      • hipi on 23/06/2025 - 11:14

        There's one in Sydney that makes Vegemite lattes. Pretty close.

  • 82norm on 23/06/2025 - 09:35
    +3

    Horlicks

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 09:43
      +1

      heck you cant even get milo in cafes, what sort of cafes will sell horlicks?

      • Melencir on 23/06/2025 - 12:14

        Not a cafe, but if you go to a Malaysian restaurant, chances are you'll find a Milo beverage.

  • Woody982 on 23/06/2025 - 09:48
    +1

    None? Just wear appropriate clothing?

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 11:28

      its not a need, its a want… i like drinking hot drinks when im outside or with meals at cafe's/restaurants in winter…

      of course you can say toughn up and just drink water

  • Duckie2hh on 23/06/2025 - 09:55
    +2

    I hear Ayahuasca tea works wonders.

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 16:14

      which cafes sell ayahuasca tea???

  • Oztx on 23/06/2025 - 10:30
    +1

    Unpopular opinion, but I hate coffee taste and its smell makes me nauseous.

    Usually in the morning I just drink hot water (no tea/flavour, just raw dogging plain hot water). Occasionally, I drink green tea/red tea/tea with milk depending on the mode, but not addicted to it, I could go days without drinking any kind of hot drinks. My main drinking sources are hot water in the morning and cold sparkling water through out the day.

    • jhaley3180 on 23/06/2025 - 11:36

      I agree with the taste, I can't stand it. I like the smell though

  • Drakesy on 23/06/2025 - 10:48

    Chai's are good, but get the brewed one, the powdered ones are not good for the diabeetus

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 11:31
      +1

      you dont have much controls of the source when you buy from outside… but that is the issue… coffee quality is relatively more predictable when buying outside but other brewed drinks dont have a good standard.

      for example, i was quite surprised that the best chai (brewed) drinks ive had was from a cafe near a lighthouse in airey's inlet.

  • Hulk2 on 23/06/2025 - 11:18

    Turmeric Latte, packed with health benefits .. or Macha, low tapered energy boost over a long time..

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 11:29

      i like turmeric lattes especially since they're not as sweet as hot choc but not a lot of cafes have them.

      imagine going to mccafes ordering turmeric latte 😅

  • Robot JP on 23/06/2025 - 11:35

    I switched from coffee to roasted green tea when I developed sensitivities to the caffeine in coffee. Japanese green tea with roasted rice is nice too. Easy to drink and warming. Just don't over-steep as it'll become bitter.

    I still order a coffee on the weekend but only get a small (1 shot) and its fine for me.

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 12:09

      any recommendation of a roasted green tea to buy? i know that it doesn't resolve that i still wont be able to buy them outside.

      hopefully its not crazy expensive like the mushroom coffee someone was trying to sell in here recently

      • Robot JP on 23/06/2025 - 12:50
        +1

        The Japanese Green Tea with Roasted Rice is available on Amazon - $5.90 for 20 bags

        Itoen Hojicha (Roasted Green Tea) which I prefer is also on Amazon - $39.99 for 50 bags

        I haven't really looked around but you might find them cheaper elsewhere

        • meong on 23/06/2025 - 13:38

          damn still more expensive than coffee

  • okbluejays on 23/06/2025 - 11:52

    I find roasted dandelion blend to be nice. It sort of has a coffee flavour. No idea if cafes sell it.

  • peteru on 23/06/2025 - 12:21

    I was off coffee for a couple of months, due to health reasons. I found that swapping coffee out for Gevity bone broth body glue (several flavours to choose from) worked out really well for me.

    I'm back to coffee now. About 88g ~ 110g of beans per day, but I still grab a cup of bone broth every now and then. It's good stuff, especially the one with lemon and herb.

    All you have to do is get a cup of hot water and squeeze a little of the concentrate into a cup/mug, then stir with a teaspoon.

  • rexanator619 on 23/06/2025 - 13:25
    +1

    Occasionally a Hot chocolate but I prefer Milkshakes. I get my caffeine by eating Chocolate.

  • dlakers3peat on 23/06/2025 - 13:53
    +1

    Why do you need drink anything hot? I don't drink coffee or tea and haven't my whole life. When people find out, they look at me like in disbelief.

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 14:18
      +1

      its not a need, more like a want.

      i like drinking something hot when im outside in colder weather just the same reason for anyone to buy anything non-essential to consume outside like iced matcha, bubble tea, etc

  • Potatohead82 on 23/06/2025 - 13:54

    Decaf? I tried to cut coffee and that made my life miserable. Decaf helped though… I am back on the coffee but only 2 cups max daily, plus unlimited decaf.

  • GachaGamer on 23/06/2025 - 14:52

    Hot cocoa with cinnamon and salted caramel.

    Don't judge me.

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 15:24

      why thats sounds good, but you cant really find them outside… this post is about when you're outside

      • GachaGamer on 23/06/2025 - 16:55

        It's a customization, not a direct menu order, most cafe's will have the stuff stocked and you just need to ask (most are accommodating).

        (the drink is admittedly a little childish lol, but its better than drinking coffee in the morning and having stomach aches the rest of the day)

  • mrdean on 23/06/2025 - 15:24

    Soy latte.

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 16:14

      soy latte contains coffee, no?

      • mrdean on 24/06/2025 - 07:11

        decaf soy latte.

  • cerealsmok3r on 23/06/2025 - 16:12

    Used to get hot chocolate but its got too much sugar so I don't get much.

    Maybe I'll make a chai or matcha but usually just a hydro homie and have water.

    Occasionally I will have camomile tea since its got such a sooth and calming scent and taste to it.

    • meong on 23/06/2025 - 16:13

      i think just like many other commenters, the keyword is "buy outside".

      I'm not talking about a coffee alternatives when at home as i have plenty of that but it seems that when you're outside the alternatives are limited or poor quality

      • peteru on 24/06/2025 - 15:32
        -2

        If you can't plan ahead then you are at the mercy of what is available at your current location and what stores are open at the time. Go and look at the menu or ask the staff to suggest something. I can't see how OzB can help with this - the options are completely situation specific.

        • meong on 24/06/2025 - 15:42
          +1

          Oh wow…

          Such a narrow-minded view on things…

          You do realise this is just a friendly discussion and not a "hey I don't have insurance what can i do" type of question?

          I was merely asking for suggestions.

          There are situations that do not allow me to bring a thermos/coffee cup with hot water with me.

          This is not a discussion about whether you can plan ahead or not, this is a discussion about when you cannot plan ahead or thw situation doesn't allow it.

          If you don't think you can help, you know you can move on right? Its not my request to have this appear on the front page of OzBargain.

          • peteru on 24/06/2025 - 23:57

            @meong: @meong The tone of your response would suggest that you misread my response. There is no need to get hostile. There's nothing narrow minded in what I posted. Perhaps if I paraphrase you will get my point…

            If you find yourself in a situation that you could not plan for, then you are unfortunately in a position where you are at the mercy of the circumstances. In such a case, the staff in shops at your location will be more likely to provide help than OzB. OzB can come up with a thousand suggestions from hundreds of people (I did offer a suggestion elsewhere in this thread), but that's not going to be much use if those items are not available to you at that time.

            My suggestion to you is than rather than have a long shopping list of things you can't get, you ask the staff about what's available and make a selection from there. If you are feeling adventurous, pick things you've never had before. You never know, you might find a new favourite.

            • meong on 25/06/2025 - 07:44

              @peteru: I disagree with your response which sounds dismissive about me posting this:

              "I can't see how OzB can help with this - the options are completely situation specific"

              It makes it sounds like it was a dire situation like any other post. You need to get used to have just a normal discussions on the forum. Not all forum posts on Ozbargain is all about complains/help etc.

              In the end, i was just asking for people's experience on this.

            • Muppet Detector on 25/06/2025 - 21:10

              @peteru: I know it isn't always the case, but sometimes those staff who do know what may be available don't always think outside the box.

              As an example, it has been my experience that some cafe type places will carry a soup item on its menu.

              Naturally, this would depend on what type of soup is offered, but a lot of soups are little more than the consistency of water with some flavour and chunky bits tossed in.

              It's not difficult to strain chunky bits out of a water based soup and serve it as a drink in a mug.

              Additionally, most purée type soups aren't much more than thickened water consistency which can be loosened up relatively easily.

              Cup of soup isn't an unusual concept, I bet in a lot of cases, anybody serving hot food could come up with some version of a flavoured liquid that could be served hot in a mug.

              Furthermore, it would only be on rare occasions that the menu that is available announces everything they may be able to offer or even be able to meet an off menu item with little effort.

              Sure, some places may only make what is offered on the menu available, but others will quite often go the extra mile if they can.

              This thread contains suggestions for the type of things that may be available to OP. Some of them, he may never have heard of, so would never have known they were suitable substitutes, far less potentially available to him.

              Sure, if he asks, they may so no, but for you to determine that his post has no value to OzBargain and its other members is just rude.

  • Muppet Detector on 23/06/2025 - 17:54

    Just putting it out there that a lot of undiagnosed ADHD people unknowingly self medicate with caffeine/coffee.

    If they do become diagnosed and qualify for the meds, the coffee dependency diminishes significantly and is often eliminated completely.

    Caffeine is an addictive substance. Addiction is an incurable disease. Caffeine interferes with brain processes.

    • ReaperX22 on 25/06/2025 - 17:26

      Caffeine can also have the opposite affect on some people with ADHD - makes them more tired/sleepy/lethargic. Generally, you shouldnt mix ADHD meds (stimulants) with coffee (….also a stimulant), regardless of caffienes affect on you.

  • OzzyOzbourne on 23/06/2025 - 18:42

    I only buy drinks inside

  • flozen on 23/06/2025 - 18:50
    +1

    Not an "outside option" in Melbourne (?)

    But below might be an alternative to what's been suggested so far to coffee…

    Yerba Mate

    Note - You don't need the fancy cup or straw

    https://youtube.com/shorts/OCLDvokIF-E?si=QbHbGjerGJHQ_oK9

  • Mikeer on 23/06/2025 - 19:23
    +3

    The Japanese restaurant near my work used to sell miso soup. $3 for a cup. Free refills too!

    • jenki on 23/06/2025 - 21:19

      Miso is the best! So warming and comforting in winter!

  • SpotTheOzzie on 23/06/2025 - 20:14

    I never drink Coffee - Worried I'd get hooked and be dependent. Most days just have a suck on the water bottle or get a Hot Chocolate.

    TBH a little weird being the guy in a professional setting getting a Hot Chocolate when there is a coffee run.

  • lainey13 on 23/06/2025 - 20:46

    Only other thing I can think of is hot barley water. Malaysian drink. Hard to find though but I love it hot! Other hot drinks I can make myself at home and bring in a flask if I want it to go.

  • p1 ama on 23/06/2025 - 21:11

    If you have other suggestion of hot drinks (that don't have sugar) to buy on the go to keep warm in the colder months, I'd also love to hear it!

    Save the money from the drinks and buy a jacket to keep you warm instead?

  • Embaloo on 23/06/2025 - 21:51
    +1

    Ask if the cafe has pure/unsweetened cocoa powder. Likely one in 3 does.
    Ask for it to be made up with hot water and a splash of milk if you so prefer. Why not also request some hazelnut syrup. And also request a price of $3.50, like the good ol days.
    The price of cocoa powder these days makes more worth it than a tea bag.

    But seriously, i'd just be buying the nicest fancy tea bags I could afford, snipping off any strings or tags, and slipping one in after ordering a $1 cup of boiling water to warm my hands.

  • labyrinthinecities on 24/06/2025 - 00:25

    I unfortunately realised I had caffeine sensitivity when my first ever coffee gave me heart palpitations. And the second, and the third, etc etc. :')

    In terms of Melbourne CBD, there are a lot of really good bubble tea places that also sell hot tea with no sugar. A friend used to work at Mixue and says that the jasmine tea (and other teas) they have is pretty high quality, just get it without sugar. My current favourite has been Tea White on Swanston Street, as their milk teas offer a free substitution to rice milk (good for lactose intolerant people like me) but they also have non-milk tea drinks. I believe they recently added a pu'er to the menu?

    If you like matcha, there are a few places that do just matcha or matcha lattes with no sugar. Melbourne CBD has Nimbo/Matcha Mate, who do a pretty good hot matcha no sugar. There are a few cafes here and there in the surburbs that also do matcha. A friend said Kuuki Cafe in Sunshine near the train station is pretty good?

    There's also Dropout Chai Wala which friends say is good - I haven't tried as they don't have any dairy free drinks and don't offer milk alternatives. I'm not sure if they offer sugar free though, you'd have to check.

    • liongalahad on 24/06/2025 - 00:38

      I'm not an expert as I'm not a fan, but I think matcha is quite rich in caffeine, isn't it?

  • liongalahad on 24/06/2025 - 00:37

    I also have developed some mild caffeine sensitivity, used to drink 3-4 double espressos a day in the office, especially since we got a Breville Barista Pro… Yum. Now I have to stick with one double, first thing in the morning, then I drink decaf for the rest of the day (still with the same machine). And to be honest, it's really good, I would say 90% as good as real coffee. I buy the Lavazza Decaf from Amazon and I couldn't be happier with it.

  • Ozymandias on 24/06/2025 - 08:31

    Most - if not all - specialty cafes I've seen serve decaf. That's your solution, no need for further thread action. :)

  • Almost there on 24/06/2025 - 08:59

    Yerba mate, diluted (or flooded, heard various names) for it.
    It still contains caffeine, but in lower quantities if you prepare it differently.
    Healthy drink, comparable with green tea

  • Oofy Doofy on 24/06/2025 - 10:45

    Good quality decaf.

    • YoursTruly on 24/06/2025 - 15:30

      Yet to find a good brand on this myself
      Any recommendation?

      • Oofy Doofy on 25/06/2025 - 12:35

        For beans/ground:

        Vittoria

        lavazza

        Northern beaches

        DC unplugged

        Campos

        For instant:

        Believe it or not, Nescafe Gold decaf is impressive.

  • lunartemis on 24/06/2025 - 13:12

    Chai latte (with alternative milk due to lactose intolerance)

  • Wasabi Ninja on 24/06/2025 - 14:25

    I don’t think tea or coffee. And I don’t substitute it with anything. Mostly just drink water and stay hydrated.

    • YoursTruly on 24/06/2025 - 15:31
      +1

      I think I saw a ninja drink hot water + wasabi

  • UltimateAI on 24/06/2025 - 15:40

    May not apply to you, however I reduced to a single shot from double.

    • meong on 25/06/2025 - 07:46

      I might try that… Luke @ForkSnorter comment above, maybe u put too much into my portafilter.

  • Aerith-Waifu on 24/06/2025 - 19:16

    I love Yogurt drinks!

  • duluxe2000 on 24/06/2025 - 19:59
    +2

    Instead of paying more for a decaf, I take 1-2 sips from my partner's coffee. After all, the 1st sip of a coffee is the best.

  • No ONE on 24/06/2025 - 21:56

    tea.

  • furyou on 24/06/2025 - 22:57

    Hot tea: $4 to sit down at a table, 50c for a cup and hot water, 50c for a teabag
    But I'm the same, don't want hot choc, but what else is there? nothing.
    Hot lemon water? At least they had to cut the lemon.

  • itsme56 on 25/06/2025 - 08:54

    Decaf mocha

  • chibasideup on 25/06/2025 - 09:25

    Chai latte is not coffee and is delicious!
    My SO also enjoys Matcha.
    Otherwise fresh juice or a smoothie.
    Oh and hot chocolate.

  • hamroll on 25/06/2025 - 15:31

    Im a Chai Guy

  • whitepuma on 25/06/2025 - 15:50

    simple answer = decaf

    I don't think i've found a single cafe that doesn't sell decaf. I'm good friends with my local cafe owner, he's been in the business for 20+ years and he was saying that in the past 5 years the number of decaf drinkers has been shooting up, any cafe that isn't selling decaf right now is shooting themselves in the foot.

  • ReaperX22 on 25/06/2025 - 17:28

    …Water?

    Your 'no sugar' requirement cuts out most other drinks I'd recommend - fresh juices, housemade sodas etc. Otherwise decaf?

    I can't comment on taste for coffee/decaf.. I don't drink it. I don't like the taste of coffee at all - an overly sweet Mocha is about as far as I go.

    • Protractor on 25/06/2025 - 17:49

      Or a big fat spearmint milkshake, with ice ream and malt.
      Bruuuurrrrp

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