Coffee is one of the most popular beverages around the world. With hundreds of coffee shops and brands to choose from, picking the perfect cup can seem overwhelming. One coffee shop that has been gaining popularity is Black Rock Coffee Bar. Black Rock Coffee Bar was founded in Oregon in 2008 and has since expanded to over 100 locations across the western United States. One of their most popular drinks is the FUEL, a sweet and creamy blended coffee drink. But what exactly goes into a Black Rock coffee FUEL?
The Base Ingredients
The foundation of a Black Rock coffee FUEL begins with premium coffee. Black Rock uses only high-quality Arabica coffee beans in their drinks. Arabica beans have a sweeter, more complex flavor than the more bitter Robusta beans. The beans are freshly ground before brewing to maximize flavor and aroma.
In addition to coffee, FUEL contains milk. Black Rock uses 2% reduced fat milk as the default, but you can also request soy milk or almond milk. The milk helps mellow out the acidity of the coffee and gives the drink a creamy texture.
Finally, FUEL gets its signature sweetness from vanilla syrup. The vanilla pairs nicely with the roasted coffee flavors and gives the drink a subtle vanilla aroma. Sugar also helps offset the natural bitterness of the coffee.
The Coffee Base
The combination of high-quality Arabica coffee beans, milk, vanilla syrup, and sugar makes up the tasty base for Black Rock’s FUEL coffee blended drink. But the base is just the beginning. FUEL gets even more delicious with the artful blending of mix-in flavors.
Fuel Flavor Options
One of the best parts about a Black Rock FUEL is customizing your blended coffee with a variety of flavors. All Fuels come with the coffee, milk, vanilla, and sugar base. But you can also add extras like flavored syrups, extracts, and toppings. Some of the most popular FUEL flavors include:
Caramel
For an indulgent treat, try the Caramel FUEL.Sweet caramel syrup combines with the coffee base for a dessert-like sip. It’s like a caramel latte turned up a notch.
White Chocolate Mocha
Chocolate and coffee are a match made in heaven. The White Chocolate Mocha Fuel has a rich blend of white chocolate and mocha flavors. The sweet white chocolate pairs perfectly with the roasted coffee.
Cookies & Cream
Do you love Oreo cookies? Then Cookies & Cream is the FUEL for you. It contains crumbled Oreo cookie pieces blended throughout the creamy drink.
Peanut Butter
For the ultimate peanut butter and coffee flavor combo, try the Peanut Butter Fuel. It has a swirl of peanut butter running through the center of the cold blended drink.
Almond Roca
Coffee, chocolate, and almonds create sweet bliss in the Almond Roca Fuel. It’s inspired by the famous Almond Roca candies from Brown & Haley.
Mint Chocolate
Cool mint and velvety chocolate blend together in Mint Chocolate Fuel. This sweet and refreshing drink tastes just like a melted mint chocolate candy bar.
S’mores
One sip of this campfire classic brings back memories of childhood summers. The S’mores Fuel contains chocolate and marshmallow flavors for nostalgic perfection.
Those are just a few of the amazing FUEL flavors you can get at Black Rock Coffee. The options are practically endless to satisfy any taste craving.
Fuel Toppings
After choosing your FUEL flavor, the fun continues with a variety of tasty toppings. Some delicious finishing touches for your blended coffee include:
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate drizzle
- Caramel drizzle
- Mocha drizzle
- Sprinkles
- Cinnamon
Toppings add another layer of texture and flavor to really take your FUEL over the top. Now let’s see all of those ingredients in action with a complete FUEL recipe.
Complete Cookies & Cream FUEL Recipe
Here is an example recipe to create a Cookies & Cream Black Rock Coffee FUEL at home:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup freshly brewed coffee, cooled
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 2-3 tablespoons white granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup
- 1⁄4 cup crumbled Oreo cookies
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions:
- Brew 1 cup of coffee and let it cool to room temperature.
- In a blender, combine the brewed coffee, milk, sugar, and vanilla syrup. Blend until smooth and combined.
- Add the crumbled Oreo cookies and pulse 2-3 times just to incorporate throughout the drink.
- Pour the Cookies & Cream Fuel into your favorite glass.
- Top with whipped cream and extra Oreo crumbs if desired.
- Enjoy this cold and creamy blended coffee treat!
Nutritional Information
Fuel coffee blended drinks pack a punch when it comes to flavor, but how do they stack up nutritionally? Here is the nutrition information for a 16 oz Caramel Fuel made with 2% milk:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 370 |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 190mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 61g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 58g |
| Protein | 11g |
As you can see, FUEL drinks are high in calories, carbohydrates, and sugar. The high sugar content comes from the flavored syrups and toppings. However, the protein from the milk and coffee provide some nutritional benefit. Overall, Fuels make a tasty caffeinated treat but are best consumed in moderation.
Where to Buy Black Rock Coffee FUEL
The best place to enjoy an authentic Black Rock coffee FUEL is at one of their coffee shop locations. Currently, Black Rock has over 100 locations, primarily in the western United States. Use the store locator on their website to find a shop near you.
You can also purchase Black Rock coffee beans, syrups, and bottled drinks online. This allows you to craft Fuels at home to satisfy your blended coffee cravings.
Check the online menu for the full list of Fuel flavors and other specialty drinks. Prices may vary by location but expect to pay around $5-$7 for a 16 oz Fuel.
Fuel Alternatives
Can’t make it to a Black Rock Coffee location? There are some alternative coffee chains where you can find similar blended specialty drinks:
- Dutch Bros – Best known for their coffee blends and smoothies
- Starbucks – Popular blended Frappuccinos and Macchiatos
- Peet’s Coffee – Craft blended mochas and lattes
- Caribou Coffee – Signature blended crossovers
- McCafe – McCafe Frappe lineup
You can also find coffee Fuel dupes at gas stations, convenience stores, and coffee stands around the country. However, the quality may not match that of Black Rock Coffee locations.
Make Your Own Fuel at Home
If you want to recreate the Black Rock Fuel experience yourself, it’s easy to make these blended coffee drinks at home. You just need a blender, coffee, milk, sweetener, and any flavorings you desire.
Here are some tips for making great Fuels at home:
- Use high-quality coffee beans and grind them fresh
- Brew coffee strong to stand up to the other ingredients
- Let coffee chill completely before blending
- Add milk and sweetener to taste
- Use real flavored syrups instead of artificial powders
- Blend until smooth and creamy
- Customize with fun toppings like whipped cream
With the right technique and ingredients, you can make coffee Fuels at home that rival your favorite coffee shops. Experiment with different flavor combinations to create your signature fuel.
Fuel Up with Black Rock’s Creamy Coffee Drinks
Black Rock Coffee FUEL provides a delicious blended experience unmatched by typical iced coffees. With its smooth texture and unlimited flavor options, it’s easy to see why Fuels are a signature item on Black Rock’s menu. The premium ingredients and artful preparation result in a sweet coffee treat you have to taste to believe.
So next time you need a pick-me-up, skip the drip coffee and fuel up with a Black Rock blended specialty drink. One creamy sip will have you hooked on these coffee creations.