If you are anything like me, coffee shops can be a very appealing environment in which to get some hard work done. Generally air conditioned, with music, comfortable chairs, and a nice atmosphere, they are a distraction free office (when you can’t afford to rent your own.) The same old cup of coffee can get boring sometimes though, and you need to spice things up. Here are some hidden gems that you might not know about.

Dirty Chai
I know. It sounds weird to put a shot of espresso in a chai latte, but just TRY it. I was very skeptical at first and was just trying it for kicks, but I absolutely love these. Try it with soy or vanilla flavoring to soften the flavor clash with some sweetness. Like the clove-kick of the chai? Add some hot water to bring out the spices.

The Red Eye
Alright, so you want your coffee (hot or iced), but you wish it had just a LITTLE more kick to it, without being full-on iced espresso. Just ask for a red eye, and they will plop a single extra shot into your coffee of choice. Ask for a black eye and you’ll get two.

The Tuxedo
Most coffee shops have both mocha and white mocha these days, why not try mixing both together in your latte or even coffee? The result? A mix of vanilla and chocolate that balance each other out wonderfully against the natural caramel flavors of the beans. At the bucks, it’s called a tuxedo mocha.

Mint Chocolate Chip
Sure you can get a peppermint latte, but if you’re a York Patty fan, try making your chocolate drink minty! Sometimes during the year bucks will have Mint Chocolate flavoring already available, but during those other periods and at other stores, just add peppermint to your already chocolaty drink.

The Short Cup
Did you know bucks has a size smaller than tall? Well they do, and it’s called “short.” Sure you’re only getting ten ounces, but if you normally put soy milk or creamer in your coffee, order a short in a tall cup to save yourself around 20 cents and still get pretty much the same amount of coffee. Saving money sure is delicious.