Have you ever heard of the phrase “April Showers bring May Flowers?” Staying true to those words, May welcomes the mid-section of the Spring season. During this time, the flowers are blooming and the cold weather is beginning to warm up. Rain and snowfall have made way for light breezes and sunny days, the scent of florals are being carried with the wind, and the sound of hummingbird wings have joined the symphony. With the shift in temperature and the longer daylight hours, it may be time to put down the hot lattes and switch your daily drink out for something lighter and more refreshing.
For those who love the classic rose flavors that are associated with the Springtime, our Rosey Sips menu has several delectable offerings to satisfy your taste buds! Inspired by New Moon, our New Bloom captures the story’s balance of darkness and romance with layers of strawberry puree, milk, and a bold yet soft rose whipped espresso foam. Inspired by The Secret Garden, our Secret Garden blends earthy matcha with delicate rose cold foam for a bright, floral experience that feels like stepping into a blooming garden. Inspired by A Court of Thorns and Roses, our Thorns & Roses combines rose and coffee with a subtle touch of pepper, creating a drink that’s soft yet sharp, sweet yet spicy.
While rose is a crowd favorite for those who love the flavor, it can also be too floral and strong for some that are casual enjoyers of floral flavor notes. Additionally, our Rosey Sips menu features three exquisite drinks, but they are all lattes. Milk in your drink, whether it’s dairy or non-dairy, can also make the drink heavier, so for someone looking for something refreshing, you may not find what you want within that seasonal list. As we lean into featuring one highlighted espresso-focused drink a month on our new “Coffee Curious” menu, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to highlight something still suited to the Spring season and florals, but without the weight of a latte.
Introducing the Aerocano Blossom, our May Coffee Curious offering for those who sip differently.
What is the Aerocano Blossom?
The Aerocano Blossom is a light and airy iced americano softened with a housemade elderflower syrup! While sticking with florals, the elderflower is much subtler than your typical rose, or even lavender, allowing those who may not be ready to fully buy into a floral drink to enjoy it as well. It’s naturally frothy without any dairy, leaving it light and accessible to anyone who may be lactose intolerant. It’s delicate, lets this month’s featured Eureka Espresso shine, and was specially crafted with Spring in mind. With just three ingredients—two shots of espresso, a few pumps of our housemade elderflower syrup, and ice—it’s simple, but delicious.
What is an Aerocano?
An aerocano is a foamy, airy iced coffee drink created by steaming a mixture of espresso and ice. In our case, we also add our elderflower syrup into the mix before steaming, allowing the syrup to really incorporate itself with the coffee. We’re not steaming until the drink reaches a hot temperature. By steaming just espresso and ice, the ice melts down enough to create the volume of your drink, while also maintaining the cool temperature. We steam just long enough for most of the ice to melt down, resulting in a velvety, creamy texture that can be described as similar to nitro cold brew or a shaken espresso. It is essentially a "steamed" iced americano, popular for its smooth mouthfeel and visually frothy appearance. With this steamed format, the foam on top of the drink also lasts for much longer!
Why elderflower, and why an aerocano?
When we were crafting this drink, our goal was to create something everyone could enjoy. At the same time, we still wanted something floral to pair with our Rosey Sips menu! Elderflower was the first thought that came to mind, as its floral, but also light and subtle. Having chosen our flavor, it was time to choose the format. It felt too light for a latte, like it would be drowned out by the milk. We considered an espresso tonic as well, but since we already have a classic espresso tonic on our menu, it didn’t feel like it was different enough to highlight as a special seasonal drink.
We wanted something refreshing, so we decided to aerate the drink and try it as an aerocano. On the first try, we fell in love with it, and it stuck! We actually originally intended to add litchi syrup as well, elevating the fruitiness, but by making our own elderflower syrup, we were able to take full control of the potency and what would ultimately come through in the drink. The aerocano came out so nicely frothy, and the thick foam layer stayed intact for so long after the drink was made, it was like the perfect blend of all elements. The texture was creamy and smooth, the flavor was strong yet enjoyable, and the drink wasn’t overly syrupy or floral. It could be enjoyed in one go, and it was also still enjoyable as we sipped on it throughout the day.
Why did you choose to use the Eureka Espresso?
We were originally torn between wanting to use the WBC World’s Best Espresso, which has a citrusy fruitiness to it that paired well with the florals, or using the Eureka, a bolder, chocolatey espresso. Ultimately, we decided on the Eureka because it added an unexpected depth and additional layer to the flavor profile. It rounded out the body and completed the drink with its slightly contrasting flavors.
Who would enjoy the Aerocano Blossom?
As mentioned, our goal was to create a drink that was accessible to everyone! The Aerocano Blossom doesn’t contain any dairy, so anyone can enjoy it. It’s perfect for a light start to your morning or an afternoon pick-me-up.
Where can I try it?
For the month of May only, the Aerocano Blossom will be available at any of our store locations. You can also order ahead through our mobile app.