If you know us, you know we’ve never shied away from experimenting with unique flavors on our menu. From carrot juice to pandan to activated charcoal, we’re no stranger to “out of the box” ingredients here at Tala.

So… we figured it was time to lean into something a little more local.

Introducing: the Malört Latte.

As the weather turns, we’re excited to offer an exciting lineup of events this month to ring in spring, help you defrost, and treat yourself after braving yet another Chicago winter.

Read what’s brewing this month.

There’s something about recipes that feel like an inheritance of sorts. They aren’t just instructions, but tiny windows into how someone lived. My grandma’s recipes were mostly simple, but thoughtful and always meant to be shared. When I began working on the recipe for the Carrot Cake Latte for our Libertyville Café seasonal menu, I kept coming back to that same idea: creating something simple, thoughtful, and worth passing around. 

Spring is finally here, and so is our long-awaited seasonal lineup. With a mix of café exclusives and returning favorites like the Ube Latte, Main Squeeze, and Dirty Horchata, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season.

Our behind the design series is a closer look at design elements that make up Tala. From packaging to merchandise to party themes, explore the who, when, why and how to the what you know and love.

We hosted our second-ever latte art competition at our Highwood café, and it was an absolutely awesome night. On February 28th, folks from all over Chicagoland, and even some out-of-staters, joined the Tala crew in throwing down behind the bar. Contenders showed up, showed out, and showed us their best pours.

March always feels like the deep breath before the exhale. The light lingers a little longer, the air softens (just slightly), and we start emerging from full-on winter mode. After months of bundling up and keeping cozy, it finally feels like we’re stepping out of hibernation — and we’re celebrating the best way we know how: with coffee, community, and a lineup of events at Tala.

Read what’s brewing this month.

The mornings feel colder, the days feel shorter, and the motivation to leave the house ultimately feels… negotiable. But if there’s one thing we believe, it’s that the best way to get through the cold months is by filling them with warm drinks, good company, and experiences that make you forget about the temperature entirely.

They say a cup of coffee is only as good as the vessel it’s consumed out of — or at least, I say that.

As a chronically indecisive human in both coffee and everyday life, I’ve laid out my ideal lineup of Tala drinkware based on practicality and usage, acting as my determinant, go-to guide for choosing the perfect coffee-consuming vessel each day, hopefully it’ll help you too!