The Tala Blog
Featured Article
Winter Drink Menu 2026
Letting go of the holiday drinks feels easier when winter brings a lineup this good. Our 2026 Winter Seasonal Drinks lean into warmth, balance, and depth—built for cold days and slower moments. Read on and find the winter drink you’ll be craving next.
We’ve Got A Lot Of Mugs.
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!
A Cozy Comeback - Meet The Igloolong
Meet the Igloolong, our newest winter seasonal drink, and a true Tala success story.
What originally started as one of our Winnetka café’s exclusive winter drinks quickly became a fan favorite, ultimately earning it a permanent spot on our Winter Seasonal Menu this year.
Winter Drink Menu 2026
Letting go of the holiday drinks feels easier when winter brings a lineup this good. Our 2026 Winter Seasonal Drinks lean into warmth, balance, and depth—built for cold days and slower moments. This is the time of year when we get to fine-tune and experiment, creating some of our most thoughtful and layered drinks. The result is a menu that feels comforting yet intentional, meant to be enjoyed one sip at a time. Read on and find the winter drink you’ll be craving next.
Holiday Drink Menu 2025
The holiday season has settled in, bringing with it all the warmth, joy, and familiar comforts we’ve been waiting for. This year, we’re inviting you into a Cabin Christmas at Tala—a cozy retreat brimming with pine and plaid that brings that tucked-away feeling of winter in the woods. Our cafes are dressed for the season, and of course, the holiday drinks have arrived. The favorites you love are back (we know!), along with a few new creations—one special drink for each cafe.
The Return of The Baklava Latte
It started as an experiment, and now it’s the drink our regulars refuse to let us take off the seasonal menu. The beloved Baklava Latte was formerly an exclusive drink at our Libertyville café, but it was met with such rave reviews that we knew it needed a semi-permanent spot on the seasonal menu at all of our cafes.
What Can You Expect When Planning an Event with Tala?
Looking for the perfect space to host your next event? Why not use your favorite coffee shop? Whether you’re throwing a birthday party, shower, corporate get-together, reunion, or holiday bash, we’re here to help make your next event one to remember.
Latte Art Throwdown Recap
Last Saturday, we hosted our very first Latte Art Throw Down at our Roastery in Libertyville! We had an amazing turnout of baristas, home coffee enthusiasts, cafe folks, and community members all coming together to compete and celebrate the craft of latte art. The night was a wonderful reminder of the incredible coffee community that we are so lucky to be a part of.
Fall Drink Menu 2025
The fall drink launch is here! 🍂 While pumpkin spice might start showing up as early as August, we know that this time of year is about more than just one flavor. As the air turns crisp and cozy routines return, our fall menu is all about capturing the comfort and warmth of the season—whether that’s with a classic you look forward to every year or something new to discover. Check out our two returning fall faves, one (kind of) new fall drink, and the café-exclusive concoctions you’re sure to love!
Libertyvilles 2nd Birthday Recap
This past Memorial Day weekend, here at Libertyville, we celebrated our second birthday! Two Septembers ago, the cafe at the roastery opened its doors for the first time, bringing longtime Tala fans a glimpse into the process, as well as another cafe to love.
Global Matcha Shortage
Matcha has exploded in popularity, thanks to social media trends, its striking bright-green color, and the rise of specialty cafes serving it up in lattes, baked goods, and more. But behind the buzz lies a growing challenge: matcha supply simply isn’t keeping up with demand.
Summer Drink Menu 2025
The summer heat is clearly here to stay, and so are some of your favorite refreshing drinks. We’re keeping the Ube Latte and the Main Squeeze on this season. We’re excited to also bring back two crowd favorites: The Orange You Glad and the Kopi & Kaya. In addition to these four, you’ll find an incredible cafe exclusive drink at each location as well.
Celebrating Eight Years
Thank you for celebrating with us last weekend! We are truly always surprised to see how many people come to celebrate with us. We’re thankful for a community that values a good party and shows up to support each other in little and big ways!