For so many of us in this world, coffee is the life blood that keeps us alive for an entire day and alert enough to remain at our jobs week by week.

Caffeine is one of the most popular, legal drugs and is universally sought after in hundreds of forms and combinations. The most enjoyable of those forms of caffeine dosing is by drinking coffee.

Working at a coffee shop, I am far too involved and interested in the different brewing and roasting processes for those magic beans. I also happen to know just what kind of coffee drink would pair well with the day of the week because sometimes we just need that extra kick of caffeine to make it through the week.

Monday

Mondays don’t really faze me, considering I am not a productive member of the five-day weekday society. However, I do get to see the depressed working business professionals shuffle into the shop to get their fix.

The best remedy for a Monday would have to be a “red eye.” The combination of a fresh cup of coffee and a jolt of an espresso shot will surely give you the push to start your day on a productive note.

Also, go for it iced with cold brewed coffee, especially while the summer heat blazes on.

Tuesday

Maybe this is just me, but Tuesdays feel worse than Mondays. With still so much of the week left and the work continuing to pile on, the only way you’re going to get through this is with a simple cup of black coffee.

You have no time to waste and cannot afford to dilute the amount of caffeine you will need to push through the day.

I suggest a hot coffee because you want to be able to take your time sipping something enjoyable during those drawn-out morning meetings.

Wednesday

The middle of the week is the best time to get into high production mode while planning out possible weekend activities.

A traditional cappuccino or a latte would be the perfect motivation to get you through the day. Changing up your coffee order mid-week gives you a little variety to the week while still providing the right level of caffeine to stay focused on your tasks at hand.

I like my lattes with soy or almond milk, but keep the cappuccino just the way it should be (which is with whole milk), it will be much more enjoyable.

Thursday

This is about that time when people get too excited about the upcoming weekend and most likely find their minds wandering and their production level plummeting.

I totally get the excitement of a Thursday, but getting work done will only make your Friday more enjoyable, and your looming Monday slightly bearable.

If you enjoyed your Wednesday cappuccino, then level up a bit on your coffee game and order a cortado. It is essentially a smaller version of the cappuccino, but with more of the espresso notes. You’ll get your caffeine kick and extra coffee flavor to awaken your senses.

Friday

Finally, the week is over! Celebrate accomplishing another week of office torture and responsible “adulting” with a treat for your taste buds.

If you’re lucky enough to have a coffee shop nearby that offers “nitro cold brew,” then do yourself a favor and go get one. This is not your typical cold brewed coffee because it is infused with nitrogen to provide a heavier beverage with a different texture. Think of it as your coffee happy hour, considering a nitro is similar in looks and mouth-feel to a cold Guinness.

When you are not exactly feeling a coffee beverage, try out a matcha latte. Finely powdered green tea, combined with milk and a hint of vanilla is the perfect way to treat yourself and get pumped for the weekend. At first, you’ll think that this green concoction tastes a bit too earthy, but after the second sip, you will begin to taste a sweeter side and find yourself hooked.

Saturday

Ah, the weekend is in full swing and your plans to do something fun, or absolutely nothing at all, are already in action. Meet up with a friend at your local coffee shop and plan out an evening at the bar or nesting on the couch to binge-watch your show of choice.

My favorite treat to drink is a chai latte or add an extra kick and ask for it dirty (meaning, with a shot of espresso).

Sunday

I hear Sunday blues are a thing, and there is not much of a cure. You’re happy that you still have one more day to relax and not think about work, yet the dreaded Monday is creeping back to haunt you, and you have no choice but to let your mind wander to the week coming up.

In between the loads of laundry you probably had to do two weeks ago and the slew of obscure Netflix movies you use as background noise, you should at least give yourself some time to relax with a cup of coffee.

Sundays are meant to be lazy, so go get some perfectly roasted beans, ground roughly for a French press, and enjoy the perfect cup of coffee to compliment your sweat pants and couch nest of blankets.

A French press takes a little more time and effort to brew properly, but the preparation is therapeutic in its own way.

Another great cure for Sunday blues is an evening cup of herbal tea. This is a great way to relax and mentally prepare yourself for the week ahead.

Now that you have the barista’s best recommendations for each day of the week, go out to a local shop and try something new to get the best balance of caffeine and flavor into your system. You’ll thank your friendly, neighborhood legal drug dealer (a.k.a. your barista) for your most productive week, yet.

Latte art credit goes to my co-worker, Erin Tummons.