Coffee culture is thriving in Marin County, especially in the Redwood community where local favorites like Starbucks, Peet’s and Philz compete for attention. With so many options, the question of who serves the best drinks often sparks debate. Opinions vary, but my goal was to find which location delivered flavor and quality.
Ordering the same set of drinks at each location ensured equal representation. With summertime approaching, only iced drinks were reviewed: a Vanilla Latte, a Chai Latte and a Shaken Espresso. Evaluations were based on sweetness, coffee strength and harmony of flavors.
Peets: 9/10
Peet’s offered a bold introduction, with robust coffee strength, concentrated sweetness and a traditional approach to each drink. It cost $15.75 for three drinks. The iced vanilla latte stood out for its smooth balance of sweetness and coffee.
The iced chai latte was very sweet and intense and did not include a lot of spice. The sugary intensity, which some may enjoy, overwhelmed the subtle chai notes.
The iced shaken espresso had a very different flavor profile from the other two. It was quite bitter, with a sharp flavor in the aftertaste. However, the coffee bean quality delivered a deep roast taste, with intensity in every sip.
Starbucks: 8.5/10
Starbucks is a world-renowned cafe, typically a go-to spot for coffee lovers. With endless accessibility, Starbucks is an easy choice due to its large number of locations nationwide. This lineup exhibited an overall mellow profile. The total was $16.95 for three drinks.
The iced vanilla latte was noticeably less sweet than Peet’s. The strong coffee flavor overpowered the vanilla, leaving the drink slightly unbalanced but enjoyable for those who prefer a bitter taste.
The iced chai latte was also sweet, yet it also had a strong chai flavor. It had a smoother, sweeter taste compared to Peet’s. The drink was filled with milk, so I would prefer a heavier ratio of chai versus milk, which can be adjusted if requested.
The iced shaken espresso had a dull flavor but a smooth texture that gave the drink structure. The richness came through clearly with every sip without being overly bitter or sweet.
Philz: 7/10
Philz was unique, with an unusual approach to its lineup. Bold coffee flavors emphasized a handcrafted feel. The drinks were generally less sweet, favoring strong, rich coffee over a sugary blend. The total ended up being $13.75 for three drinks.
The iced vanilla latte had a great cohesion flavor, and it is a personal favorite. It was nice and enjoyable, sweet but still coffee-like in taste.
The iced chai latte had a strong spice flavor, but its low sweetness made it taste flat and less enjoyable than the others. While a hint of mint set the drink apart from the others, it lacked the flavor harmony and creamy texture found in other chai lattes.
The iced shaken espresso had the strongest flavor, delivering an intense and rich coffee profile. While the milk added a touch of harmony, the drink focused on strong espresso with minimal sugar.
The three coffee shops brought something different, from Starbucks’ smooth sweetness to Philz’s bold and intense flavors. Peet’s offered the best mix of the desired qualities across all three drinks and is my favorite.
