The Best Novelty Coffee Drinks in LA

we all deserve little treats!!

Hello! 

I hope you’ve been eating well in the new year. I spent NYE at my friend Zoe’s beautiful wedding in Los Alamos. (A very good guide to Los Alamos here, if you’re planning on visiting!!) 

I always find the top of a new year to be a fascinating time, where so many people majorly upheave their lives, only to be frustrated at having to keep up with these sudden massive changes, but without systems or practice on their side. Perhaps it’s why I feel such a deep reluctance towards end of the year wrap up posts or New Year’s resolutions. The stresses and situations you were dealing with in 2023 do not magically go away when the calendar flips to 2024.

I find that oddly comforting? That who you were before midnight doesn’t suddenly disappear (even if you don’t like who you currently are). I like that it means that big changes and growth doesn’t have to happen on a very narrow and increasingly urgent timeline as the days get closer to January 1st. That it’s okay to still be a little disorganized with dishes in the sink and no real morning routine yet on January 2nd or 3rd, knowing that if you keep poking away at it, that perhaps by, say, October 2nd or 3rd, you might be someone with no dishes in the sink and a morning routine you love. Or at least that is what I keep telling myself. 

Anyways, I hope the year ahead is filled with the changes you want to see and many very good meals. I’ve already had a truly incredible sandwich this year — stuffed with melty broccoli rabe (!) — and will write about that more soon. But here is a photo for now:

more broccoli rabe sandwiches in 2024!

Okay on to this week’s guide, a great passion of mine: novelty coffee beverages!

I have to admit that I love the occasional Starbucks Frappuccino and every year I will always get at least one Pumpkin Spice Latte and one Pistachio Latte now that they do them seasonally.

In recent years, serious third-wave coffee shops that only serve really high quality coffee beans, have also accepted that not everyone is a huge coffee purist and that people love fun flavors and textures when it comes to their beverages.

I also really believe in a steadily and regularly giving yourself small treats because life can be hard lifestyle. Sometimes a $7 drink that looks and tastes like a caffeinated tiramisu really does make your day better. And living in Los Angeles, there are so many excellent ones, including my all time favorite (number 6 on the list).

Best Novelty Coffee Drinks in Los Angeles!!