A few months back, we finally visited Ironclad Coffee Roasters in Shockoe Bottom. A beautiful red brick building, which looks to be an old firehouse, beckons you in. To the left as you enter is a piano and to the right, a line with menus and a display with t-shirts and locally made coffee scrubs for sale. In the center of this spacious room with a high ceiling is an island for the baristas to prepare your drinks. We were greeted quickly by an enthusiastic and friendly barista, and promptly placed our orders: one of the summer specials, the “Nero” Dark Chocolate Cookie Milk Latte, and an orange juice. I had no idea what a “Nero” was when I ordered this drink, but when I saw it, I knew I had made the right decision.

This Nero cookie was fresh baked, rich with decadent chocolate, and almonds. Had I not let it sit in the latte so long, it would have been even crisper along the edges. Baking this cookie perfectly brought its flavors and sweetness to life through careful caramelization. The milk latte was brewed and blended to perfection, with chocolate streaming down the insides of the glass. Because Ironclad steeps their milk overnight in luxurious dark chocolate, this creamy latte had a delightful fudgy flavor through and through. There was a nuttiness to the latte, which added a roundness and a richness to the flavor profile. This could be due to the roast of the beans, which I feel is a medium roast due to the balance of bitterness and warmth (it was not over roasted). Overall, this was the most indulgent latte I’ve had in a long time!

My husband opted for some freshly handcrafted orange juice by Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company. This juice was a sunny burst of citrus like you’ve never had at home - refreshingly sweet, cheerfully acidic, and thirst-quenching.

We really vibed with the relaxed ambiance at Ironclad. It was busy; there were four or five employees hurrying about, but they seemed to have great teamwork and a smooth operation. Soft music played in the background; old standards floated by with gentle lyrics and lilting horns. In the front, and along the right side of the building, are two outdoor seating areas for guests. Upstairs, there are four or five tables for guests to visit with each other or to work on their laptops with the free wifi.

In addition to their summer menu, Ironclad offers a variety of coffee drinks and teas. Some unusual offerings they have are a cortado, which is equal parts espresso and steamed milk, and a puntino, which is their name for a classic macchiato - espresso with just a little layer of frothed milk. Another interesting concoction is the Grimsby Fog, which combines lavender and sage white tea with housemade vanilla syrup and steamed milk.

This is your cue to take a trip to Ironclad to see what impressive items they may have on their fall menu! When you make your journey to Ironclad, don’t forget to check out the bagged coffees they have for sale, too - especially if you’re not coming through again soon!