The sun’s out, and so is our spring-summer menu at Joe Coffee! We’re bringing back warm-weather favorites, including La Newyorkina’s beloved ice cream sandwiches and paletas at select cafes. Founded by James Beard-nominated pastry chef Fany Gerson, La Newyorkina is known for its sweet Mexican desserts, making these treats the perfect way to cool off.
Plus, we’re introducing something new: the Orange & Creme Coconut Latte, crafted in collaboration with our friends at Vita Coco and made with their latest innovation, Vita Coco Treats. And don’t miss the Pineapple Coconut Cream, the winning creation from our internal seasonal beverage competition, dreamed up by Cheri French from our Pro Shop cafe in Chelsea. Cheri even stopped by to help us prepare for the launch and share the inside scoop on her latest creation and what she’s been up to.
Joe: Hey Cheri! So nice to see you. How long have you been working at Joe now?
Cheri: Almost a year! I started in June of last year.
J: Nice! Walk me through the inspiration for the Pineapple Coconut Cream.
C: I started by imagining what my summer would look like. I had just moved to PLG from Washington Heights, and my commute to the beach went from over two hours to 40 minutes or less. I thought, I’m going to be at the beach every day—what would I want to be drinking? A piña colada! That’s where it started, and it went through a lot of different iterations.
J: Did you originally plan for all the variations—matcha, turmeric, espresso?
C: No! I bought a bottle of ready-to-use espresso and started testing it at home. After dialing it in, I tried it with matcha and turmeric, and it just happened to be perfect. But that wasn’t really the original intention.
J: It’s so versatile! I love that.
C: It’d be great for a party—maybe with some Don Q rum.
J: Now we’re talking! Working at Pro, what’s your favorite part about this cafe?
C: I love that it has its regulars—I even know them by name and their orders. I mostly work Sundays, and there’s one customer, David, who always wears a quaint fedora. He comes in and says, The usual!—which is a cortado for here. We chat about his job. I worked this past Sunday while he was on vacation in Spain. I also love that I get to chat with people attending the educational classes here. They usually buy coffee or equipment afterward. Sometimes, coffee tour groups come in. The guide will mention how the original Waverly location had an iconic bench out front. Making pour-overs for people who really appreciate coffee makes this location feel special.
J: That’s what I love about Pro, too! I also love how Roberta curates the guest roaster program. Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
C: I love rock climbing and knitting—I’ve been making socks and beanies. I have a dog named Lunch Box, so I do a lot of dog-related stuff. Winter’s been tough, though—I’ve been inside a lot. But generally, my hobbies include camping, hiking, going to the beach, and climbing.
J: Love that! Any hiking trips planned this summer?
C: I’m debating! There’s a waterfall in Arizona called Havasu. I used to live there, and the reservations have gotten more expensive, but it helps preserve the valley and the tribe. It’s a 13-mile hike into a canyon with a bunch of waterfalls—then 13 miles back out. If I don’t do that, I might do a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike. I really want to make that happen this year.
J: What’s something you’re excited about in life right now?
C: Honestly, coffee has been that for me this past year. I work at Joe because I want to—not because I have to. I love practicing my latte art. I have an espresso machine at home now, so I get to try the guest roasters, dial in my shots, and experiment with different drinks. I’ve also been fermenting cheong, a Korean syrup made by combining fruit and sugar and letting it ferment. I made a blood orange cheong and a strawberry one—the strawberry pairs perfectly with Portrait Coffee’s Triple Double. I make a spritz with it, and it’s so good.
J: Ooo! What espresso machine do you have?
C: The Ascaso Steel DUO.
J: Are spritzes your go-to drink right now?
C: Yes! I’m really into them. Outside of that, just having a true New York summer. Winter’s been long, and with each warmer day, I wake up, click my heels, and think, I’m so close to the beach!
J: We can all relate to that. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
C: This is a quote from a dear mentor of mine—though I think they misquoted it a little: Kids of all ages run away to join the circus, but nobody runs away to join Disneyland. It reminds me to prioritize things that fill my cup and bring me joy instead of just doing what I should do. Obviously, everyone has responsibilities—laundry, making the bed, brushing your teeth. But at the end of the day, you’re actively choosing the life you live—unless you decide to do something different.
J: Wow, that’s deep. Great visual. This ties into my next question—outside of work, what are three things you can’t live without?
C: My boots. I wear them every day—this is actually my second pair of the same ones. My first pair got soaked while rafting in Yosemite and shrank, so I gave them to a friend and bought a new pair. Two would be my dog—she’s almost nine. And the third… maybe it’s corny, but my carabiner for my keys. I lose my keys every time. I found this one at my local hardware store, and it’s been a lifesaver.
J: Solid picks—boots, dog, carabiner.
C: Ha! Yes, very tactical.
J: Thanks for chatting! We’ll be sipping on the Pineapple Coconut Cream all summer long.
The Pineapple Coconut Cream is now available for a limited time at all Joe Coffee cafes.
Sign up for the Joe Coffee loyalty app and enjoy a discount on your first one!