Special Lattes, Special Causes
By now you’ve definitely seen Loretta’s seasonal specialty lattes, debuted with much fanfare and a healthy dose of ridiculous on Instagram every month. Maybe you saw September’s PB&J latte, complete with a baby uncrustable garnish. Or maybe August’s Princess Peach latte, made with caramel-bourbon-peach syrup and finished with a marshmallow whip, popped up on your For You page?
In a world filled with specialty coffee shops ranging from mega-corporations to teeny mom & pop shops (hey, that’s us!), each trumpeting their own versions of specialty lattes, it’s hard to stand apart. But here at Loretta’s, we sure do try. We like to think that we stand out from the crowd in two distinct ways: our method of research, development and execution of those specialty lattes, and our commitment to sharing a portion of the proceeds from each latte to a local cause.
Let’s start with the R&D: when owner Kelsey Bush and Operations Manager Zoë Tanner decided to feature a specialty latte every month, they were firm in their conviction that the lattes had to incorporate actual, seasonal produce and that they had to taste good. Sounds like a no-brainer, right? But in today’s over-saturated market, specialty lattes are often just artificially colored sugar bombs, designed mostly to look good in a photo. Kelsey and Zoë determined they could do better. Tapping into our robust network of farmers and purveyors, they began tinkering with seasonal fruit for the coffee syrups. As a chef, Kelsey is keenly aware of the need for balance in all of the food and beverage served at Bloomsday and Loretta’s, and she applied this approach to the lattes as well. A pinch of salt, a touch of acid, sometimes even a little bit of heat– all of these components are carefully applied to the sugar-based syrups and combined with the bitter, roasty espresso for drinks that are complex, satisfying and above all– balanced. We’re certainly not claiming that our specialty lattes are health food, but they won’t leave you feeling like you just ate a pound of candy!
Giving back: we knew from the beginning that we wanted Loretta's to be a neighborhood hub, and for us that means so much more than just a physical space. We believe in care, and we believe that by working together we can make the world a better place for everyone. That’s why it was very important to us to invest in our community, and one of the ways we do that is by donating $1 of every specialty latte to a Philly-based charitable organization. This year alone we’re on track to give $24K to institutions such as the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Association, the Attic Youth Center, the Daisy Foundation, the Fairmount Park Conservatory, and ACCT Philly.
So swing by Loretta’s, grab yourself a specialty latte, and know that your special treat is doing two types of good: making you happy AND supporting your community. Talk about a win-win! And keep your eyes peeled for October’s specialty latte: caramelized banana syrup and espresso, topped with a salty pretzel whip and garnished with a spoooooky pretzel rod. Proceeds support friend of the restaurant Kristina Burke and her Plates with Purpose partnership with Twist Out Cancer. Caffeinate and do good out there, friends!
