When was the last time you explored a city near you? I’ve been feeling the need to explore more of Alexandria and Arlington, VA, particularly their coffee shops. I go to Starbucks and Dunkin more often because they’re the closest to me, so I like to visit other coffee shops when I can.
On my search for coffee shops in Northern Virginia, I stumbled upon Commonwealth Joe Coffee Roasters. It’s a coffee shop in Arlington, VA right by Pentagon City Mall (nestled amongst other shops and an apartment building). One thing about this area is that it was easy to find street parking on a weekday afternoon. You might have to drive around a couple of times to get a space, FYI.
Commonwealth Joe absolutely feels like a neighborhood coffee shop. There’s not a ton of seating, but it’s not surprising considering where it’s located. When I visited, they were decorated for the holidays.
WHAT I ORDERED
It was hard to choose a couple of drinks to try, especially since they had handful of seasonal drink options. A few of their regular options include the Cookie Butter Latte, the Cinnamon Roll Latte, Cortado, and the London Fog. Since I was in the Christmas spirit, I ordered a couple of their holiday drinks: the Hazelnutcracker Cocoa and the Eggnog Latte.
Hazelnutcracker Cocoa
I’ve been on a hot cocoa kick, so I was excited to try the Hazelnutcracker Cocoa. It’s made with their housemade chocolate ganache, hazelnut flavor, and a hint of cold brew concentrate. You have the option to top it with whipped cream and mini chocolate chips, which melt beautifully into the drink (pictured below).
This drink was perfect for the cold, winter day. The hazelnut flavor is just enough and not overpowering. If you’re a Nutella person, I’m sure you’ll love this one! Chocolate and hazelnut are truly a match made in heaven. This drink is still available to order.
Eggnog Latte
I was the most excited to try the Eggnog Latte since it’s one of my favorite holiday drinks. It’s made with smooth eggnog and topped with nutmeg and a Pirouline wafer.
As an eggnog person, I liked this drink. I thought the Pirouline was a nice touch. It’s something that I never would’ve thought to add to a drink. Unfortunately, this drink is no longer available. Hopefully, it’ll come back next holiday season.
CONCLUSION
Overall, I enjoyed my first time at Commonwealth Joe. The staff was helpful and made it a pleasurable experience. I’m excited to go back and try more of their drinks! I’ve got my eye on the Cookie Butter Latte.
If you’re ever in the Arlington, VA area and looking for a chill coffee shop, check out Commonwealth Joe!
Address: 520 12th St. S, Suite 150, Arlington, VA 22202
Until next time.
Foodish Ways 