This video exactly describes my brother’s reaction after I insisted on trying a turmeric latte rather than just getting a drip coffee somewhere else. Jrink is overpriced and bourgeois, and yet I keep coming back for more. It’s very Rihanna and Chris Brown. If you’re ordering something there, you probably already know this and still want their beverages given their high quality and claimed health benefits.

Naturally, on my most recent visit, I had to get a turmeric latte, given that they’re all the rage these days. [Disclaimer: yes, your teeth WILL be stained for a bit.] I noted the $7 (before tax) and moved forward with my transaction. It was a “treat yo’ self” kind of day (I also went for cocktails with my brother at 3PM, so things quickly took a turn health-wise…). I ordered my drink and plopped down in an armchair beside my brother. Another customer had already ordered a drink so we waited as hers was crafted, and then waited for mine to be painstakingly created by the tired-looking worker. After quite a wait (perhaps to really get me amped up for my beverage), I was finally rewarded with that warmed almond milk beverage, topped with cinnamon and quickly growing cold since almond milk can’t be heated too high or else it will burn. My brother watched me, eyebrows raised, asking after each swallow whether it had been worth $1.

Cold pressed juice is Jrink’s other specialty—the perfect antidote to a late night or a Monday when you want to feel like Karlie Kloss before succumbing to office bagels. The location off of 18^th Street in Adams Morgan is one, bright room with two tables to sit at and a few armchairs. A nearby location, on the second floor of a building on Connecticut Ave in Dupont, is shared with a yoga studio. It has a cool vibe, fit with exposed brick, rough wood floors, a couch and some stools for seating –the interior design embodiment of Shailene Woodley. Other locations I’ve yet to visit are in Foggy Bottom (read: GW students) and Clarendon (VA, yikes!).

When I do choose a juice, I opt for the nut milks, as they are creamy, dreamy, and oh so much more calorific (read: more substantive than straight vegetable and fruit juice). According to their website, the regular juices are 5 lbs of produce per bottle. An additional advantage: the juices come in reusable glass bottles. You could fill one with dirt and stick a single succulent in it for a doubley hipster DIY project!

Recently, I tried The Buzz Me Up—a tasty combination of cold brew coffee, raw brazil nuts, dates, fresh mint, and filtered (thank God) water. Yes, it was delicious, and at $10, certainly a treat unless you’re able to actually have just this for breakfast. They also suggest that you try a latte and baked good for their “breakfast deal”: a whopping $13.

This is not your daily coffee shop. Locations tend to be almost empty and the staff never seem particularly enthused about their products. You would be free to sit given the zen atmosphere, but it may feel almost too quiet for study or work purposes. Best to stick with a local café and leave Jrink for a treat after your next SolidCore class.

STATS

Price of a 12oz latte: $7

Adult beverages: Ha.

Vibe: Zen and healthful.

Music: Not noticeable.

Work/Study Spot?: Yes, though wifi times may make this tricky.

Wifi: Yes.

Food: Juices, smoothie bowls, paleo chocolate, or baked goods.

Punch Card: Yep.

Other Locations: Several locations.

Website: www.jrink.com

Hours: Mon – Fri (7AM-8PM)

             Sat – Sun (9AM-4PM)

Location:

1323 Connecticut Ave NW

Washington, DC 20036