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National Coffee Day

National Coffee Day deals for Sept 29th

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Coffee has a long history, dating back to the 15th century in Ethiopia and the Middle East, before spreading across Europe and the Americas. It quickly became more than just a drink—it turned into a daily ritual, a social connector, and even a fuel for productivity.

We celebrate National Coffee Day to:

  • Appreciate coffee’s cultural impact – From bustling cafés to cozy morning cups at home, coffee is part of everyday life around the world.

  • Recognize coffee growers and producers – The day shines a light on the farmers and global supply chain that bring coffee from bean to cup.

  • Enjoy special deals and traditions – Many cafés, coffee shops, and roasters offer free or discounted cups to mark the occasion, encouraging people to gather and share in the joy of coffee.

Here’s a full serving of deals celebrating National Coffee Day, which is Monday, Sept. 29 – and a few for International Coffee Day, which is Wednesday, Oct. 1.

  • Biggby Coffee: On National Coffee Day (Sept. 29), enjoy a 16-ounce hot or iced brewed coffee for just $1 (offer good at participating locations).
  • Burger King: Royal Perks members can grab a free medium iced coffee with any in-app or online purchase of $1 or more.
  • Circle K: The convenience store chain is giving customers one free medium hot or iced coffee on Monday, Sept. 29. The offer can be redeemed through the Circle K app, either as a coupon or a reward for Inner Circle loyalty program members (offer valid at participating U.S. locations).
  • Dunkin’: On Monday, September 29, Dunkin’ Rewards members can get a free medium hot or iced coffee when they make a purchase through the Dunkin’ app. The National Coffee Day deal excludes Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew and is limited to one per member.
  • Dutch Bros.: Customers can get two free National Coffee Day car coasters with the purchase of two or more drinks on Sept. 29 (while supplies last).
  • Panera Bread: Among the fast casual chain’s National Coffee Day deals is 50% off its new Crème Brulée latte for members of the Unlimited Sip Club ($14.99 monthly or $119.99 annually), which includes coffee, tea, fountain drinks and more. Want to join? New members get three months free if they join on Sept. 29; additionally, existing monthly and lapsed members can upgrade to an annual membership for $89.
  • Pilot: The travel center company is giving customers a free any-size hot coffee through the Pilot app on Sept. 29 for National Coffee Day. Now available in nearly 900 of its travel centers are new limited-time coffee flavors Bourbon Pecan, Campo Sur Brazilian and Pumpkin Spice Cappuccino.
  • Playa Bowls: The New Jersey-headquartered superfruit bowl chain is offering a buy-one, get-one-free deal of 20-ounce Playola Cold Brew or Sweet Cream Cold Brew drinks for members of the Playa Rewards loyalty program on Monday, September 29.
  • Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard: In the Rita’s app on Sept. 29, you can find a deal for a $1.99 Cold Brew Frozen Coffee – flavors include mocha and caramel.
  • Sheetz: Members of the My Sheetz Rewardz loyalty program can get a free self-serve hot or iced coffee of any size with any purchase from Monday, Sept. 29, to Wednesday, Oct. 1. You can join the program and find the deal in the Sheetz app. Limit one redemption per member. Offer not valid with purchases of fuel, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery items, half-gallons or gallons of milk, financial or prepaid cards, or Sheetz gift cards.
  • Smoothie King: On National Coffee Day, the chain, with more than 1,200 locations across the U.S., wants you to remember it has protein in its drinks, too. Show your Starbucks rewards account – or your rewards account for Dunkin’ or any other popular coffee retailer – from when Smoothie King opens until 10:30 a.m. local time and get a free 20-ounce Coffee High Protein Almond Mocha or Pumpkin Coffee High Protein Smoothie. Offer good only in stores.

National Coffee Day Tipple: Irish Coffee

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Irish Coffee in front of Books

We all take coffee for granted as just part of the daily routine. Wake up, brew or buy a cup of coffee, then get to doing something productive with your day. Before it was grown, roasted, boiled, and consumed, first it had to be discovered. The story is that a shepherd in Mocha saw his flock frolicking about after eating berries from a certain shrub. He took the berries, then to make them palatable roasted them then boiled them. He found the drink gave him vast amounts of energy, and the technology spread through the Middle East and Africa. It had to fight various bans for its mind altering effects, as scholars debated on whether or not it counted as being intoxicated when you were hopped up on caffeine. It passed the test with Muslim imams and eventually the Catholic church. According to the story, Pope Clement VIII was charged by his followers with banning the drink of the Muslims. He tasted it before the ban and chose to allow the drink to spread, stating it should be baptized as Catholic to get it from Muslim hands.  This is all around 1600.

Coffee has always warmed us up and given a little jolt of energy. It also encourages conversation and the spreading of ideas. From the coffee houses of Shakespeare’s time to Starbucks, people who were looking to connect with others came together under one roof. The chef at an airport bar in Ireland concocted the drink for passengers coming off a plane looking cold and miserable. He offered hem some coffee with a little shot of Irish Whiskey in it. The passengers loved it, and it became a menu item on at the bar in question. One of the travelers that eventually enjoyed the cocktail was Stanton Delaplane, who brought the drink to San Francisco with him and championed it to the city. It was first served at the Buena Vista Cafe in 1952, and embraced by the city. It has been served there, and anywhere else that had coffee and Irish whiskey, ever since.

This is the critical ingredient: Irish whiskey

This is the critical ingredient: Irish whiskey

Irish Coffee

1.5 oz./ 45 mL Irish whiskey
2 tsp. brown sugar
4-6 oz./ 120 – 180 mL hot coffee
Glass: Irish Whiskey
Garnish: Whipped cream
Ice: None

Prepare the glass by warming it with hot water. Empty the glass when warmed, then add the coffee and sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar, then add the Irish whiskey. Stir again. Evenly spread the whipped cream over the top of the coffee and serve.

I love this drink. It is delightful any time, day or night. It is just warm and inviting, the bite and sweetness of the whiskey just peeking through the coffee flavor. You may be tempted to stir the whip cream in, but don’t. The layer of cream on top gives you a little with each sip, and acts as a delicious insulator for the coffee. If you are looking for some caffeine to add to your liquor, I suggest this over vodka and Red Bull any day. And you get whipped cream!

This is day 27 of a series, #100DaysOfCocktails, being done by Smart Guy In A Tie Cocktails. You can follow along daily on my Instagram page on Facebook, and on Twitter. 

Celebrate National Coffee Day with 5 Fun Facts and FREE Coffee

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640_coffeeFor many people the best way to start their day is with a big jolt of coffee and  the only thing that could be better is if that  cup of coffee if free.  And on Tuesday, Sept 29th, many businesses are celebrating National Coffee Day by offering Free Coffee!

5 Facts About Coffee

  1.  Coffee grows on trees.  They can grow to be up to 30 feet tall, but most are cultivated to be around 10 feet tall for easy picking.
  2. Coffee beans are actually the pits of berries. The coffee berries, sometimes called coffee cherries, are an edible fruit that have coffee beans inside.

  3. Hawaii is the only U.S. sate that commercially grows coffee.

  4. Coffee is the 2nd most traded commodity on earth (Oil is first).
  5.  Espresso is not a particular type of bean, roast or blend, it’s the way coffee is prepared.

Where to Get FREE Coffee on Tuesday:

Krispy Kreme:  free 12 oz. cup and  a free Original Glazed Doughnut

Dunkin’ Donuts:  free medium cup of Dunkin’ Donuts hot or iced Dark Roast Coffee

Panera Bread: Rewards members have been able to score a free coffee every day of September, so that deal will still be in place for National Coffee Day

Whole Foods: Stores nationwide are offer 12-ounce cups of coffee for $0.25 through September

Third Perk Coffeehouse and Wine bar, 46 W. 5th St:  free 8 oz. cup of coffee.