Amavida Coffee Roasters
104 N Barrett Sq #1A Rosemary Beach, FL 32461
In the swanky town of Rosemary Beach, alongside Barrett Square and its elegant rows of olive trees wrapped in white holiday lights, sits Amavida Coffee Roasters. Their name translates to Love Life, and if you drop on in, I think you will.
Coffee:
I was pleased to be informed that they were offering two choices for their drip, and I opted for their Honduras, which presented a full mouthfeel with pleasant notes of caramel and toasted sugar. My cortado was made with their Burundi roast whose syrupy flavors of date and molasses held up well in my whole milk cortado. Both drinks were flavorful and delicious.
Barista:
Upon inquiry, the barista informed me of what roasts were being offered, along with their flavor profiles. She was friendly and knowledgeable, both of which I appreciated. As is my custom, I ordered my cortado for here and my coffee to go so that it stays hotter, longer. A second barista prepared my cortado and called out that it was ready. I was met with a cloak of disappointment as I saw it was being presented in a small paper cup. In my book, that’s a flagrant foul. For some, my reaction may seem severe, but to the knowing cortado drinker, you understand. Except for its presentation, the drink was well done. Nonetheless I was simmering in disappointment as I considered going to the bar and discussing the matter. As I approached the counter, I noticed a small stack of 4oz Gibraltar glasses atop the La Marzocco espresso machine. The flagrant foul was now bordering on coffeehouse suspension. I pleasantly asked the barista who took my order, “So, when you order a cortado, it’s served in the same cup no matter if it’s for here or to go?” Her eyes widened as she asked, “She didn’t serve you in a paper cup, did she?” I answered in the affirmative and to my delight she responded, “I’m so sorry, I’m going to make you another.” She knows. A few moments later, she served me up a beautiful cortado in a Gibraltar glass atop an elegant tea saucer. It was lovely and I thankfully told her so. Before departing, I had a very pleasant conversation with the second barista, earning them a stunning comeback and two lumps of goodness.
Vibe:
While in a upscale shopping area, Amavida retains a comfortable, welcoming, and casual air. The inside is a single square room with the espresso bar on the back wall. The center of the room provides a relaxed seating area with a sofa, coffee table, and two lounge chairs along with a few tables. One wall is devoted to a third-party vendor of cute, casual beachwear. The opposite wall has filled with nicely done merch along with a selection of their in-house roasted coffees. Outside, a handful of tables face the greenspace in the center of Barrett Square. While this is a comfortable place to hang out for a bit with your coffee and Danish, I don’t think the proximity of seating would be contusive to a business meeting. They have convenient outlets for the tabletops along the wall. And in a distinctive highlight, they displayed a compelling selection of lovely artwork, mostly depicting local beach scenes. Each was marked with a price tag should you be compelled to leave with it.
Make You Better
There was a lack of music playing, which would have been a nice addition, but it was replaced with a friendly banter among the patrons and baristas.
With a stunning comeback from an initial blunder, Amavida earns high marks in all facets of their coffee game. When near the sugary shores of Rosemary Beach, Amavida Coffee Roasters provides many reasons to Love Life. I wouldn’t hesitate to visit their other stores in Panama City and Santa Rosa Beach.
~ Clyde <3
