As the holiday season rolls in, so do cold nights, the inevitable cold season, and a calendar full of gatherings, dinners, and events. And with all of that comes the moment someone says, “Just bring anything!” — which is great, unless you have debilitating decision paralysis, cooking isn’t really your love language, or you simply don’t have the time.

Enter: my go-to Hot Toddy recipe.

This Thanksgiving marked our 5th annual Tala Turkey Trot, and a never-before-seen change of location! This year, we got to open up Highwood for the morning to have our coffee and doughnuts. A huge shoutout to Gurnee Donuts for providing us with an amazing and delicious assortment year after year. It was extremely cozy and a truly wonderful way to celebrate Thanksgiving morning together!

We’re celebrating TWO YEARS at our Winnetka Cafe this week! To mark this occasion, we’re inviting you to comment below with your favorite memory at the Winnetka Cafe for your chance to win a $100 cafe gift card.

When you walk into Tala Coffee Roasters, there are three notorious features, just like the North Shore Roaster’s three café locations. Whether you’re in the renovated firehouse of Highwood, Libertyville Headquarters, or the revamped Winnetka gas station, Tala boasts a wide variety of drink offerings ranging from traditional coffee house wares to seasonal and specialty drinks.

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.

Finca El Placer is a big name in coffee, and for good reason. Tucked into the high-elevation terrain of Acevedo, Huila, this distinguished farm has become synonymous with meticulous craftsmanship, vibrant flavor, and some of the most exciting Pink Bourbon lots in the industry. At the heart of it all is producer Jesús Arbey Iquira, a name celebrated by coffee professionals around the world for his precision, dedication, and deep understanding of his land.

It’s 6:30 a.m. on a Sunday, and the café is still waking up. The air smells like clean countertops and yesterday’s roasted beans. Mia and I are already moving through our opening routine — putting out the pastries, brewing the first batch of drip, and quietly trying to convince our brains to start functioning…

Our “Behind The Bar'“ series highlights one of our team members, celebrating their unique contribution to the Tala experience. We believe the connection across the bar can be meaningful and impactful. Our team puts a smile on the faces of so many each day by simply serving delicious beverages and being an authentic presence in each person’s day. Learn more about what makes each person on the Tala Team unique with this personal interview.

If you’ve ever taken a sip of coffee and wondered how some people can pick out tasting notes like peach, jasmine, and caramelized sugar, you’re not alone. Tasting coffee is a skill — one that develops over time.