Writers' Wake-up Calls

Every weekend morning I wake up and make coffee for me and my wife, and it always tastes different. And really, it doesn't bother me. I don't mind the surprised, forced grimace that strong coffee causes, though I'm not fond of the smacking lips while-looking-for-taste after sipping a very thin brew. 

My morning drink of choice used to be straight black coffee, the kind that puts hair on your chest. But as I've become older (now past 30), I've gone to black coffee with a good dose of milk or cream, but never sugar. My wife will only drink coffee with hazelnut creamer, which I loathe, otherwise she won't have any at all. Talk about picky taste buds! I despise anything sweet near my morning cup and prefer coffees with strong, earthy aromas, similar to my wine preference. 

The best homegrown coffee (meaning purchased and sipped in the U.S.) I've ever had was at Philz in San Francisco. Various choices and quality beans ground just for your cup.  (Below: Philz - Mission District, San Francisco)

Every writer has something that gets them going, even if it's nothing at all. For some, it's just waking up, happy to be alive. For others, it's a beverage, running (which I also partake in), or some good ole Judge Judy reruns (this show I've never seen and do not watch).  

It seems that most writers lean toward a morning cup o' joe or at least a drink found in the same family (I guess tea counts). The warmth and caffeine really get those synapses firing. Here are some noteworthy writers and their drinks:          

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Recipe for one Neil Gaiman Coffee (found here on Neil Gaiman's journal)

1 scoop Ghirardelli dark ground chocolate
1/2 shot bitter almond syrup such as Orgeat
2-3 shots of rich espresso
steamed milk
black cherry Italian syrup (I used Torrani)

Put the dark chocolate in the bottom of a glass, add the almond syrup and coffee, then stir. Cover with steamed milk and foam, then drizzle with dark cherry syrup.

You can purchase this drink at ZubZub in Booneville, California. I'm guessing he purchased this while at the store. Wonder if he tries replicating it at home or if he drinks something else. Anyone? Neil? (I'm sure he's busy writing something intensely wicked)

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Tennessee Williams caught in the act: coffee cup in bottom right hand corner

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Hemingway with coffee nearby (spiked with some kind of bourbon?)

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Steinbeck With Coffee (and cigarette within arm's reach)

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What's your morning wake-up call? Coffee? Espresso? Orange Juice?... 

Chocolate Milk?  (that's for you, PMM)