Behind the Bar: Our Baristas Inspired Fall Drinks

Meet the baristas behind BHB’s newest seasonal creations—and the personal stories that inspired them.

There’s something magical that happens when you give creative people the freedom to experiment. At BHB Coffee, we’ve always believed our baristas are more than just skilled hands—they’re artists, memory-makers, and storytellers.

This fall, two of our most talented team members brought that philosophy to life in the most delicious way.

Meet Riri and Jesse, the minds behind our newest seasonal lattes: the Carrot Cake Latte and the Banana Foster Latte. Their stories aren’t just about ingredients—they’re about feelings, memories, and the essence of fall in a cup.

Riri’s Mission: Capturing the Feeling of Fall

Riri is what you might call a “seasonal person.” She starts planning her fall wardrobe in August and has strong opinions about when Halloween decorations are acceptable.

The challenge:
Living in Southern California, where the temperature doesn’t always cooperate with pumpkin season.

The dream: Capture the coziness of fall—think cinnamon, vanilla, baked goods—in a way you can sip any day, even when it’s 85°F outside.

"I wanted to carry fall with me. You know that feeling when you walk into someone's house and it smells like cinnamon and vanilla and something's baking? That’s what I was chasing." — Riri

Her answer? The Carrot Cake Latte, inspired by her favorite fall dessert and the warm, nostalgic feeling it brings.

Riri spent hours experimenting—some nights until midnight—layering flavors that would bring to life the experience of autumn, not just the taste.

"I didn’t want to just throw spices together and call it fall. I wanted it to feel like something meaningful."

Why it works:

It’s a blend of comfort and nostalgia, designed to make every sip feel like you’re home for the holidays—even if you're just grabbing coffee before work.

Jesse's Sweet Memory Lane

The inspiration: Bananas. Minions. And birthday traditions.

Jesse’s favorite dessert growing up was Banana Foster—served on birthdays, holidays, and anytime something was worth celebrating. So this year, for his birthday, he decided to recreate that joyful, indulgent feeling in latte form.

"I made it for my birthday pop-up, and everyone went crazy for it," Jesse laughs."El kept asking if he could put it on the menu. That’s when I realized I’d made something that meant a lot to other people too."

The Banana Foster Latte is warm, sweet, and celebratory—a perfect nod to a dessert that makes every day feel like a special occasion.

Why it works:

It’s playful, rich, and familiar. A sweet escape in a cup.

The Art of Flavor Creation

Watching Jesse and Riri develop these drinks is like watching painters at work. Every test batch, every tweak, every note—was made with purpose.

Riri’s Layered Approach

To mimic the depth of carrot cake, Riri focused on layering flavors:

Earthy carrot juice
Warm fall spices
Almond extract for that “baked cake” note
And of course, vanilla to tie it all together

“I wanted it to feel like something your grandma made from scratch—warm, sweet, and full of love.”

Jesse’s Balanced Blend

Banana is a bold flavor, and Jesse knew it had to be balanced.

“Too much and you get a smoothie. Too little and you miss the point.”

He carefully calibrated a mix that lets the banana shine while keeping it grounded in rich espresso or hojicha.

Behind the Scenes: The Recipes

Part of what makes these drinks special is the attention to detail in their creation. These aren't just flavored syrups from a bottle. They're carefully crafted flavor profiles developed through experimentation and refinement.

Want to make these at home? We’ve got you.

Jesse's Banana Foster Latte

3/4 Monin banana syrup + 1/4 housemade vanilla syrup
Espresso or Hojicha base
Topped with vanilla cold foam

“The cold foam gives it that creamy, indulgent finish. Plus, it’s just so pretty.”

Riri's Carrot Cake Latte

Riri's approach reflects the multi-layered nature of her inspiration:

The Carrot Cake Syrup:

6.5 cups sugar
6.5 cups brown sugar
2 1/4 tbsp organic pumpkin spice
6.5 cups organic carrot juice

Simmer these ingredients for about 7 minutes on low heat (it boils quickly, so watch carefully!). Once you remove it from heat, add:

2.5 tbsp vanilla bean paste
1 tbsp salt
1.5 tbsp almond extract

Let it cool completely before using.

"The carrot juice gives it this earthy sweetness that's totally different from regular syrups," Riri notes. "And the almond extract—that's the secret ingredient that makes it taste like actual cake."

Why this Matters at BHB

Jesse and Riri’s drinks aren’t just about flavor—they’re about identity.

At BHB, we don’t follow a script or roll out a corporate seasonal menu. We empower our baristas to get creative, explore what excites them, and turn memories into something you can sip.

When baristas have the freedom to create, magic happens.

What You’re Saying

The response has been heartfelt—and way beyond what we expected. People are connecting with the drinks emotionally, not just through flavor.

“This (Carrot Cake) latte reminds me of my grandmother's kitchen,"

"This (Banana Foster Latte) feels like birthday parties in a cup”

This is what happens when drinks are created with intention and personal meaning. They don't just satisfy caffeine cravings, they create emotional connections.