The Tala Blog
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Spring Drink Menu 2026
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.
Tariku Kare: Sidama, Ethiopia
Introducing the exquisite coffee from Refisa Washing Station, located in Nensebo woreda, Oromia, Ethiopia. This is one of those coffees that will stick in your memories and that you'll tell stories about later when you think of some of the better coffee experiences you've had.
Behind the Bar with Molly
Molly has been a part of the Winnetka team since day one and is currently training to become the cafe manager. You can catch her opening the café almost every day! Learn more about your favorite Winnetka barista in this interview.
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.
Finca Angamaza: Loja, Ecuador
Finca Angamaza—a coffee from producer Angel Capa Carrion in Ecuador that’s passionately both grown and processed at a very high elevation, truly making this coffee shine and sparkle with immense sweetness. It’s the kind of coffee that you will think back to later in the day, long after you have your last sip in the cup.
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.
Choose the Perfect Coffee Gift
Are you searching for the ideal holiday gift for a coffee lover in your life but feeling overwhelmed by the extensive range of options? Fear not, for we have crafted a comprehensive guide to help you pick the perfect coffee beans to make your loved ones' winter extra special.