Go Get Em Tiger is not a place that many people go for Cheerwine, the uniquely sweet cherry soda crafted in North Carolina for over a century and popular well beyond the South. Still, the “soft drink legend” is on the blackboard menu, and I proudly ordered the vivid beverage. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the vaunted Larchmont Village coffee bar from Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski was out of Cheerwine, and it was well past the time where a caffeine bomb made sense. Thankfully, GGETLA also takes tea seriously, and a friendly barista suggested Silver Needle Iced Tea ($4) which comes in a 12-ounce bottle with a sidecar of ice so customers can control melting-induced dilution.

Silver needle, which hails from China’s Fujian province, is well known for being one of the best teas in the world. Chinese farmers hand-pick the young, silver-tipped tea leaves only two days per year, preserving the delicate flavor. Brewed correctly, and the silver needles certainly are at Go Get Em Tiger, the results are free from astringency and super easy to sip.