As a coffee connoisseur, I pride myself on knowing everything and anything there is to know about the most delectable drink in the world. Believe me, I drink it multiple times a day, so this week I put my coffee craze to the test, venturing out to four different cafes to find out which place takes the number one title. From Starbucks to Kaldi’s coffee, here is a review on the best iced coffee around town!

My very first stop was Starbucks. Now, I know what you all may be thinking. It’s such a basic place. You might be correct on that, but nothing compares to the aromas you take in as you walk through the door, and the menu has the most versatile beverages in the coffee business.

My order was an iced caramel macchiato. With each sip, my mouth was filled with strong espresso perfectly balanced with milk and a caramel drizzle. With a Starbucks around each corner, this chain coffee shop is hard to beat!

To continue with chain coffee shops, I set out to Dunkin’ Donuts. With high hopes, I dashed in to try my next iced coffee and was disappointed. The hazelnut iced coffee tasted like pure sugar. I searched for the espresso taste, but the flavor was just not there. The fake hazelnut took charge, making it hard to drink. After giving Dunkin’ Donuts a fair chance, it fell to the bottom of the totem pole.

After being disappointed by Dunkin’ Donuts, I was in the mood for the next best thing, and boy did I find it. VB Chocolate Bar in Cottleville, Missouri is the place to be. The small antique coffee shop is an aesthetic for any teenage girl’s VSCO. Complete with an adorable mason jar, my iced caramel latte checked off every box. The ratio between the espresso, caramel and ice was exceptional and even hinted at a bit of sea salt to balance every ingredient. With cute tables and a great atmosphere, go to VB Chocolate Bar to study, work and of course enjoy an impeccable cup of joe!

Last but not least, I had to stop by Kaldi’s coffee in Chesterfield, Missouri. Even though it is a bit of a longer drive, the coffee is worth the travel. It has a strong taste, but is subtly balanced with caramel and milk, making this coffee a force to be reckoned with. The inside is no VB Chocolate Bar, but has a modern yet comfortable feel. Despite the distance, I am willing to take the drive to get this special cup of iced coffee.

After much vigorous and extensive research, I concluded that VB Chocolate Bar is the place to be, especially for coffee fanatics. The antique feel mixed with revolutionary coffee makes for the number one coffee shop around town. So forget Dunkin’ Donuts and head out to VB Chocolate Bar if you’re wanting the world’s best cup of coffee.