1. Balance smoky with sweet
Some operators are using sweet flavors to offset smoky flavors in their lattes. Au Bon Pain, for example, is spotlighting toasted honey. The chain’s winter Toasted Honey Latte features espresso blended with honey and toasted marshmallow syrup, topped with frothed milk. It’s available hot or iced. The item will be offered through March 27. Other sweet-smoky coffee combos include Toasted Coconut Cappuccino at convenience-store chain Thorntons, Toasted Marshmallow Coffee at The Bagel Cafe in Las Vegas, and Toasted Graham Latte at numerous Disney park concessions, including Disney California Adventure and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.