Lemon Chili Mocha

As the season for Blood Oranges comes to a close and we say goodbye to sweet citrus goodness of the Blood Orange Latte, we welcome back an old favorite, the Honey Lavender Latte!

It's also time to bring a brand new special to the board, the Lemon Chili Mocha. Made with Nathan Miller Chocolate, crushed Aleppo peppers, a little cinnamon, and a hint of lemon, this drink special combines all the things we love about coffee: bright acidity, a clear sweetness, and smooth lower notes.

Heat + Sweet

Finding a balance between a pepper with enough heat to come through in the drink without being considered too hot can be difficult. Moreover, each pepper, like coffee, has its own flavor characteristics based on its genetics and the location in which the pepper is grown. For this drink, we looked for a pepper that would have an approachable heat but would also bring out the complexity of the chocolate and the espresso.

Grown in Northern Syria and Turkey, the Aleppo Pepper is similar to a Ancho Chile, commonly known as a Poblano, found and cultivated in Puebla, Mexico. The Aleppo pepper adds savory notes of cumin, red pepper, and salt. While most of the heat is balanced with the chocolate and lemon, dairy milk naturally lessens the intensity of the pepper. For our alternative milk friends, we recommend using a milk with a little more sweetness like Coconut Milk!

A Hint of Lemon

To finish the drink, we include lemon to accentuate the heat of the pepper with a bright, sweet citrus note that reminds us of a lemon drop. In a way, this latte is familiar like chocolate covered oranges or a spiced hot chocolate, but all together, the ingredients add an interesting complexity and a subtle savoriness not found in most lattes.

We always hate to say goodbye to the Blood Orange Latte, but we’re excited to bring you March's specials! Give them a try next time your in the shop!