03.15.11
A Tasty Bit O’ Nostalgia
Rebecca Gelston

Marketing Manager Rebecca Gelston worked with the Mont Blanc Gourmet innovation team to create a homemade mint concoction for St. Patrick’s Day. Nostalgia is a remarkable thing, and I believe it is the primary force behind the legendary “limited time offer” that is the Shamrock Shake. The excitement, hoopla and hubbub surrounding the Shamrock Shake stupefies me every year. With a little help from our innovation team, I set out to create a Shamrock alternative using our vanilla blender drink mix, Vanilla Cold Fusion. Simply blend 2 cups of ice with 4 ounces of Vanilla Cold Fusion, 4 ounces of milk and a handful of mint leaves for about 15 seconds. Fresh...

Beverages, Innovation
holiday, lto, mint, seasonal, smoothies
12.13.10
Ho Ho Humdrum
Michael Szyliowicz

'Tis the season… and you will know it by walking into any coffee shop and being confronted by the same uninspired, seasonal holiday drinks. Can someone please put something on the drink menu that isn't a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Peppermint Mocha? Although, to be honest, I’m not completely opposed to those drinks; we make and sell both flavors, but it would be nice to see some interesting and unusual seasonal drink combinations for a change. If the specialty coffee world is going to successfully compete against larger, more established quick-serve companies, they are going to have to keep differentiating themselves with unique drink choices. Eggnog lattes are well and good, but it’s critical to get some creativity on a menu and really stand out. Spicy mochas? Horchata? TeaNog lattes? It’s too late for this season, but I hope next year the choices are more “Ho Ho Yum” and less “Ho Ho Humdrum.”

Beverages, Diary of a Chocolatier
coffee, eggnogg, holiday, horchata, lto, peppermint, pumpkin spice, seasonal