This semester, the Communiqué searched for local coffee shops with seasonal drink menus. Here is the first installment in the series.
For our first stop exploring fall drink menus at local coffee shops, we chose 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill. The 61C cafe is at 1839 Murray Ave., very conveniently located in relation to Chatham University’s Shadyside campus. It was only a 5-minute bus ride to arrive at our destination.
All four of us tried one item from their fall drink menu each: the pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin spice chai (sweetened/unsweetened), and the vanilla bean hot chocolate. In addition to their coffee menu, they also offer juices and smoothies. The pricing was comparable to other coffee shops in the area. We all ordered smalls and paid $4 each. Both pumpkin spice chai drinks were ordered iced and were cold and refreshing. The sweetened pumpkin spice chai had a strong pumpkin flavor. The unsweetened pumpkin chai was perfectly tailored to people who enjoy plain black tea but with added flavor. The vanilla bean hot chocolate and the pumpkin spice latte were both ordered hot. They were comforting and suited to a chilly fall day.
There was comfortable indoor and outdoor seating with a good atmosphere. The exterior of the coffee shop had a comfortingly old-fashioned appearance, and the interior was updated with a modern kitchen and eating area. We enjoyed our drinks and agreed that we would revisit if we were in Squirrel Hill again. The drink that was enjoyed the most was the Sweetened Pumpkin Spice Chai. 61C Cafe is open every day from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. You can follow them on Instagram @61c_cafe or contact them by phone at 412-521-6161.
