Starbucks Reserve Roastery Is Officially Opening Its Doors

Starbucks is legendary for more than the popular PSL. Since they opened in Seattle in 1971, Starbucks has expanded across the globe, curbing caffeine cravings across the U.S. and even filtering into Japan and Europe. Of course, this espresso-fueled ride never stops, and Starbucks is officially hitting the gas on their most ambitious project ever.

Chicago’s very own Starbucks Reserve Roastery is the largest Starbucks in the world at a whopping 35,000 square feet, and we got a sneak peek!

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The Rundown on the Roastery

On Friday, November 15, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery opens its doors. And once you cross the Roastery’s threshold, you’re in a totally different world.The aroma of coffee swells like music, and everywhere you look there’s something delectable just calling your name.

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery boasts four floors and a rooftop. You can choose from three coffee bars (and one bar bar) and seven unique brewing methods including espresso, pour-over, coffee press, siphon, Chemex, Clover and cold brewing. (I tried the Clover and let me tell ya—you’ll be begging for more than one mug.) The coffee is roasted by Starbucks’ Coffee Masters, who are the go to’s for any questions, from bean origins to smoothest sipper.

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Inside you’ll find stunning feats of architecture, murals and the Roastery’s centerpiece: a 56-foot roasting cast. The cast allows you to see all of Starbucks’ process in action and doubles as a vehicle to get beans where they need to go via long pipes that run across the ceiling.

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Starbucks Reserve Coffee Bar

You’ll find all of your classic beverages, like lattes, cappuccinos and cortados on the main bar’s first floor. Before you order that PSL, you should know the Starbucks Reserve Roastery doesn’t serve the typical Starbucks menu. The sweet drinks you’re used to will be available at other neighborhood stores, but this one is reserved (no pun intended) for people who enjoy more traditional espresso drinks.

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Princi

On the second floor, you’ll find Princi, the prize of the Starbucks Reserve Roastery. Founded by Italian baker Rocco Princi, the bakery and cafe offers fresh breads, cornetti and focaccia. You can also find your fill of cakes and tarts there, too.

Need to grab your meal and get out the door? Princi has a conveyer belt that delivers your order to the first floor for you. The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is all about luxury and experience, so there’s no hiking stairs or needless elevator rides involved.

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Experiential Coffee Bar

If you’re craving the classic experience of coffee, look no further than the Experiential Coffee Bar. This coffee bar is where you’ll find most of your unique brewing methods, like siphon—a vacuum-style brewing method. You can also purchase flights of your favorites paired with delicious chocolates and savory goodies in this area. This bar also serves Roastery creations you won’t find anywhere else, so if you can only get to one bar, make sure it’s this one.

Barrel-Aged Coffee Bar

The fourth floor literally takes coffee to the next level, combining your favorite rich flavors with a special barrel-aging brewing method. Enjoy a spirit-free coffee beverage made the way whiskey is, aged to perfection in barrels. This bar features classic cocktail copycats, like the Smoked Cold Fashioned or Minted Cold Brew.

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Arriviamo Cocktail Bar

The 4th floor Arriviamo serves hand-crafted, alcoholic cocktails made by local mixologists. The menu includes your bar go-to’s as well as some local beers and wines. What sets this bar apart from others you might find downtown is that the specialty cocktails contain Starbucks Reserve coffee and tea, giving your caffeine boost an extra, well, boost.

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is definitely an attraction you’ll want to check out. It officially opens on November 15 at 9 a.m., so be at the doors ASAP. Besides, where else are you going to get your hands on coffee this good?

Enjoy a Little Bit of Italy at Home with Our Starbucks Copycat Recipes

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Inspired by: Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha

Indulge in a coffeehouse-quality drink with this caramel mocha recipe. With whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle, this treat will perk up even the sleepiest person at the table. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Get Our Recipe: Creamy Caramel Mocha

Inspired By: Starbucks Coconut Creme Frapuccino Blended Creme

I love frozen beverages, so I wanted to create one similar to those in coffee shops but without coffee as an ingredient. When I drink this frosty treat it's as good as any specialty shop drink but without the hassle or the cost. —Emily Semmelrock, Jewett City, Connecticut

Get Our Recipe: Coconut Lover's Frappe

Inspired By: Starbucks Iced Lemon Pound Cake

My family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon pound cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota

Get Our Recipe: Lemon Pound Cake Loaves

Inspired By: Starbucks Berry Trio Yogurt

Expecting brunch company, but short on time? My quick, delicious and beautiful parfaits are the perfect solution. Feel free to mix and match your favorite berries. —Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida

Get Our Recipe: Berry Breakfast Parfaits

Inspired By: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino Blended Beverage

The winter holidays are my favorite time of year, and this spiced pumpkin drink is one reason I love the season so much. If you don't have a coffee maker, it's OK to use instant coffee—just make it stronger. —Kathie Perez, East Peoria, Illinois

Get Our Recipe: Spiced-Pumpkin Coffee Shakes

Inspired By: Starbucks Caffe Mocha

When I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel like I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana

Get Our Recipe: Mocha Morning Drink

Inspired By: Starbucks Iced Caffe Latte

This is a great alternative to regular hot coffee and is much more economical than store-bought coffee drinks. Sweetened condensed milk and a hint of chocolate lend a special touch. —Heather Nandell, Johnston, Iowa

Get Our Recipe: Iced Coffee Latte

Inspired By: Starbucks Cranberry Orange Scone

Moist and scrumptious, these scones come out perfect every time. I savor the chewy dried cranberries and sweet orange glaze. There's nothing better than serving these remarkable scones warm with the delicate orange butter. —Karen McBride, Indianapolis, Indiana

Get Our Recipe: Cranberry Orange Scones

Inspired By: Starbucks Pumpkin Bread

An enticing aroma wafts through my house when this tender cake-like pumpkin bread is in the oven. I bake extra loaves to give as holiday gifts. My friends wait eagerly for it every year. —Linda Burnett, Prescott, Arizona

Get Our Recipe: Delicious Pumpkin Bread

Inspired By: Starbucks Turkey & Havarti Sandwich

This is not your ordinary sandwich! Everyone loves the combination of chutney and chopped peanuts. I like to make this when I have company in the afternoon or at night after a game of cards. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Get Our Recipe: Havarti Turkey Hero

Inspired By: Starbucks Hot Chocolate

This is our daughter's favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won't get from a cocoa packet. —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas

Get Our Recipe: Fluffy Hot Chocolate

Inspired By: Starbucks Chai Latte

My wife loves chai, but I have never been satisfied with any of the store-bought mixes, so I created my own. —Justin Weber, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Get Our Recipe: Warm Spiced Chai

Inspired By: Starbucks Chocolate Chunk Muffin

Muffins are one of my favorite things to bake, and these are the best. I always keep some in the freezer for breakfast on the run. I can zap one in the microwave before I head out the door. —Kelly Kirby Westville, Nova Scotia

Get Our Recipe: Traditional Chocolate Chip Muffins

Inspired By: Starbucks Banana Nut Bread

This quick bread is a family favorite, so I always try to have ripe bananas on hand for this recipe. I'm sure your family will love this tasty, nutty bread as much as mine. —Susan Jones, La Grange Park, Illinois

Get Our Recipe: Banana Nut Bread

Inspired By: Starbucks Peppermint Mocha

Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California

Get Our Recipe: Holiday Peppermint Mocha

Inspired By: Starbucks Egg Salad Sandwich

I love the versatility of egg salad, especially with this recipe. You can serve it on a nest of mixed greens, tucked into a sandwich or with your favorite crisp crackers. —Cynthia Kohlberg, Syracuse, Indiana

Get Our Recipe: Creamy Egg Salad

Inspired By: Starbucks Everything Bagel with Cheese

Who has time to make from-scratch bagels? You do, with this easy recipe! The chewy golden bagels offer a hint of honey and will win over even the pickiest eaters. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Get Our Recipe: Honey Bagels

Inspired By: Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Blended Coffee

Coffee ice cubes power up this refreshing drink. Have it morning, noon or—if you dare—night! —Beverly Coyde, Gasport, New York

Get Our Recipe: Frappe Mocha

Inspired By: Starbucks Blueberry Scone

I love serving this blueberry scone recipe to visiting friends and family. I always make sure a have a few in the freezer. Just pop a frozen scone in the microwave for 20 seconds or so. —Joan Francis, Spring Lake, New Jersey

Get Our Recipe: Blueberry Scones

Inspired By: Starbucks Sausage, Cheddar & Egg Breakfast Sandwich

Wake up your taste buds with eye-opening breakfast sandwiches featuring spicy sausage, fluffy egg, tomato and creamy avocado piled high on a flaky croissant.—Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia

Get Our Recipe: Italian Sausage & Egg Croissants

Inspired By: Starbucks Classic Whole-Grain Oatmeal

There’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot, ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep! —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California

Get Our Recipe: Raisin Nut Oatmeal

Inspired By: Starbucks Homestyle Chicken & Double-Smoked Bacon

Everyone likes this tasty chicken breast sandwich. Flattening the chicken breasts helps them cook faster, and the mango chutney and other toppings make them better than anything you could order in a restaurant. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Get Our Recipe: Bacon-Chicken Sandwiches

Inspired By: Starbucks Caffe Mocha with Cinnamon

Most store-bought flavored coffees are expensive. Here's a special early-morning beverage you can make at home. The aroma of cinnamon and cocoa makes this mocha coffee hard to resist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Get Our Recipe: Cinnamon Mocha Coffee

Inspired By: Starbucks Italian-Style Ham & Spicy Salami

 Olive lovers are sure to rejoice over this stacked sandwich! Stuffed and ripe olives are marinated in white wine vinegar and garlic before using them to flavor these speedy salami, ham and provolone subs.—Delores Christner, Spooner, Wisconsin

Get Our Recipe: Fast Italian Subs

Inspired By: Starbucks Roasted Tomato & Mozzarella Panini

Why settle for ordinary grilled cheese when this is so easy to fix? Pair the sandwiches with your favorite soup for a fast, satisfying meal. —Arlene Reagan, Limerick, Pennsylvania

Get Our Recipe: Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

The post Starbucks Reserve Roastery Is Officially Opening Its Doors appeared first on Taste of Home.

Laurie Dixon