
The Tala Blog
Featured Article
“What’s a Gibraltar?” — A Tale of Two Names
It happens at least once a week. Someone points to our menu, eyebrows raised. “What’s a Gibraltar?” they ask, half-whispering like they’re worried it’s a secret club they weren’t invited to. So, let’s start with this: the elusive Gibraltar is just another name for a Cortado at Tala. Same drink, different backstory.
From Firehouse to Coffeehouse: Brewing a Legacy at Tala
There’s something special about walking into Tala Coffee. It’s not just the rich scent of freshly brewed espresso or the low hum of conversation that greets you, there’s a feeling of history in the air, woven into the very floor beneath your feet.
Fall Drink Menu 2024
The long-awaited Fall drinks are here! We’ve been having people ask about the Pumpkin Spice Latte since July, so we know that there are some excited folks out there. This year, we have your top-three favorite drinks returning, along with a unique drink for each cafe location!
Tala To-Go: Sipping, Strolling, and Sculptures
Join us on a “Tala Adventure” as we take our coffee beyond the café and into the heart of the communities we love. Alo takes us on her adventure to a local art festival and to grab a bite to eat.
Introducing 93 Octane
Today we are launching 93 Octane in our Winnetka Cafe only. This drink, made with plum jam, brown sugar, and cardamom is sure to make a splash with its deep fruity goodness. Learn the story behind this new drink.
Introducing Tala Tonics
These new mainstays are a simple but powerful new line of drinks with a sparkling water base. Each unique flavor is intricately crafted with a house-made syrup which we add to sparkling water for a refreshing pick-me-up. These five drinks are available today at all of our cafes.
Dueling Processes: Washed vs Natural
It isn’t every day that you get the chance to see how distinctly the processing method can change the flavor of a coffee. We are excited to offer both washed and natural versions of our Chelbesa Washing Station coffee on our online store. This unique opportunity allows you to explore and appreciate the diverse flavor profiles that result from different processing techniques.
Summer Drink Menu 2024
Summer is officially here, and so is our summer drink lineup! Now that we have six summer seasons under our belt, we have a lot of favorite drinks to choose from. Customers often ask us earnestly to bring back their favorite drink from previous years, but the problem is everyone has a different favorite. This year we decided to take the guesswork out and get scientific about it with an Instagram poll (nothing screams scientific like social media, right?!).
Spring Drink Menu 2024
In the Chicagoland area, we had almost forgotten it wasn’t already spring, but as of yesterday, the season is official! With the onset of budding flowers, greener grass and longer days comes our long-awaited spring drink launch.
Introducing the Unit B
A few months ago, Tayah and I were tasked with the creation of the Libertyville signature drink, and today we’re excited to announce its release! We spent weeks meeting to discuss complementing flavors, whipping up various syrups in the kitchen, and saying “no” to a lot of concoctions. But finally, one receipe rose to the top, a delicious bevagage today and onward known as The Unit B.
Winter Drink Menu 2024
Saying goodbye to the holiday drinks is made much easier once you get a taste of what the winter drink menu holds. These warm flavors almost make you forget how cold it is. Some of our most intricate and complicated drinks of the year are featured on this menu. The colder indoor energy of the winter seems to invite the tinkering and tweaking for these delicious concoctions you’ll find here. Read about each below and flag the tasty drink for your next visit!
Tips From A Stocking Enthusiast
Since I was a little girl, stockings have been my favorite part of Christmas. I don’t exactly know why, but something about all the little things all together in one goodie bag feels so extraordinary to me. I know it’s common for stockings to be an after-thought—I've even met people who, to my astonishment, skip them altogether—but I love to fill them thoughtfully as a grand finale to opening presents. Regardless of your typical approach, I am here to share some tips on how to step it up a notch this year, especially if you’re stuffing a stocking for a coffee-lover!
How We Designed Winnetka: Interior
Over the past year, our Winnetka cafe site has undergone a radical transformation visible from the street, but what many may not realize is that the interior work began long before the exterior did, and after many long months, the work is finally done and we are open! Over the past 2.5+ years that we’ve been working on this project, I’ve been asked about the design so many times, especially because it is an old retro gas station. A lot of people have been curious about how we arrived at the aesthetic we have.