Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea was founded in 1993 by Wei and Lisa Bee. It began in Michigan and has since expanded its locations to multiple states across the country. Sweetwaters sells a unique variety of teas and coffees, both traditional and influenced from all over the world.
Sweetwaters fit the calm coffee shop stereotype well. Windows along one entire wall let in plenty of natural light for customers while they enjoyed their order. The wooden floor, chairs and counter paired with white countertops and walls resulted in a clean and modern feel to the shop. On top of this, Sweetwaters had displays all along the ordering counter that were visually appealing and organized. Overall, the shop had a relaxed atmosphere, making it perfect for studying or meeting a friend.
When I visited Sweetwaters at midmorning on a Sunday, there were only several customers seated along the windows and two workers behind the counter. Both employees behind the counter were very friendly and provided great customer service. After ordering my drink, I only had to wait a minute or two before my coffee was placed on the counter with my name written correctly on the cup. The shop had great customer service overall that undoubtedly contributed to the pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
Sweetwaters’ drink menu is diverse. Their coffees include the traditional options, three different cold brews and a creme caramel. There are also two globally influenced coffees: the Dragon Eye coffee that honors the Chinese Year of the Dragon, as well as a French Vietnamese au lait, which is a French style of coffee with sweetened condensed milk. Similarly, Sweetwaters teas are of wide variety with many of the classic flavors in addition to fun options from other countries. As far as frozen drinks go, Sweetwaters’ menu, once again, stands out. On top of selling shakes, they also make a drink called an “Ice Dragon.” These drinks come in multiple different flavors that are paired with ice, cream, and whipped cream. The final part of their drink menu has several miscellaneous options, such as lemonade and hot chocolate. Sweetwaters’ food menu, while still tasty, is nothing in comparison to their drinks. They offer traditional bakery items like scones, cake and cookies in addition to some different sandwiches. Overall, Sweetwaters’ menu has something for everyone.
During my visit to Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, I decided to order their Straight Up cold brew. On their website, this item is described as extremely smooth and “naturally sweet.” While the drink was very smooth, it still tasted bitter like many unflavored coffees do. Despite this, I still enjoyed it, however, I would caution those who are not used to caffeine. Sweetwaters’ smallest size for this drink is a triple. While I enjoyed the coffee, I will not be ordering it again because the strength of the caffeine left me with major jitters for hours after finishing the drink.
Regardless of my poor experience with caffeine, I loved my visit to Sweetwaters and would recommend the shop to anyone looking for a good coffee place to study or meet up with a friend. Between their beautiful interior, great customer service and unique menu, Sweetwaters was a pleasant experience.
