The Return of The Baklava Latte
Meet the infamous Libertyville exclusive latte, turned semi-permanent menu item.
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.
The original idea for this menu item came from one of our former production employees, Marcus, who insisted we create a Baklava-inspired drink. A bit overwhelmed by the intricacies, our Libertyville café team wasn’t completely sold. However, coupled with the numerous suggestions from customers that we sell something both nutty and sweet, we realized there was indeed a demand. Inspired by the traditional Mediterranean dessert, the Baklava Latte is a combination of toasted nuts, honey, warm spices, and rich sweetness. Translating that into a latte called for careful balance. We wanted the indulgence of the classic dessert without tipping into over-sweetness, while also being sure the syrup pairs well with espresso and milk.
In our initial trial runs, we experimented with the flavor of several nuts, adjusted syrup ratios, and sampled cold and hot concoctions. It took time to find the perfect combination of ingredients to make up our delicious house-made baklava syrup. We landed on a mix of honey, pistachio, walnut, brown sugar, and warm spices. In the final version, we discovered that a simple dusting of cinnamon sugar (almost accidentally) pulled everything together!
When we first launched the Baklava latte, it was a limited-time feature at our Libertyville café. But the response from our customers soon changed our perspective. Our first weekend serving the fall seasonal menu, we immediately ran out of the Baklava syrup! We saw a multitude of repeat orders and a surge in popularity, rivaling the Pumpkin Spice Latte (our fall bestseller). We served an influx of customers who usually frequented our Highwood and Winnetka cafes, just to try “that Baklava drink” they’d heard all about. It became a fall staple!
Curating fun and unique drinks is one of the best parts of what we do, but seeing the way our creations are received by the community is even sweeter. The Baklava Latte is proof that when inspiration, experimentation, and a little customer curiosity come together, something special can happen. If you haven’t tried the Baklava Latte yet, its reputation precedes it. Come see what all the commotion is about… before it’s gone for the season!
Marissa Cummings
On staff at our Libertyville café, Marissa loves befriending customers and making the perfect cup of coffee. When not behind the bar, she is usually exploring new coffee shops, curled up with a good mystery book and a warm miel in hand.