While espresso still reins supreme, our Lotus Energy drinks are awesome… They are a great option for non-coffee-drinkers (*gasp*), teenagers, and customers looking for a “fruity” option other than our smoothies

(which are also awesome and available in mango, wildberry, and strawberry!)

While the Lotus beverages have become very popular, they are also the most complicating for customers to order: it’s a multi-step process that can be a bit overwhelming if you’re not prepared for it. Our baristas are more than willing to walk you through crafting your new favorite beverage, but we also wanted to get the word out here so you can dream up a few options to try before your next visit!

There are infinite combinations to create your own personalized Lotus beverage!

First you need to pick an energy base “color”. While Captain Obvious may suggest that this will impact the color of your beverage – and he’d be right – it also determines the underlying flavor. While all of the colors have the same botanical extracts and caffeine in them, they have distinctly different flavor profiles. We also stock “skinny” (diet) options available in all flavors which are sugar free and have only 5 calories.

Next, you can add some of our Monin flavor syrups to the base to build more complex flavors. My personal favorites are “Pink with Winter Citrus and Habanero Lime” and “Blue with Chipotle Pineapple and Coconut”. They are both excellent and add just enough heat to warm up the back of your throat with you drink it. Kirsten really enjoys some of the more delicate flavors (surprising, I know :-)!) like “Purple with Lavender or Elderflower” or “Pink with Pineberry”. Red also pairs very well with the more savory syrups like Peach, Mango, Stone Fruit, or Cantaloupe.

Finally, here’s where things can get really interesting as you fine-tune the flavor and texture of your drink. Sparkling water is very popular and gives your drink the (obvious) bubbles but also a slightly tonic-like flavor. I frequently add Lotus Cream to my “Blue with Chipotle Pineapple” to make it slightly thicker which seems to make the flavor “stick” a little longer when you drink it. Bursting boba adds a whole new dimension (and texture) to a drink – we have many flavors, but they rotate, so you’ll have to ask which two we have open when you stop by (don’t worry – we also give you a super-sized straw when you add boba!) Coconut milk cold foam is another popular topping that I actually haven’t tried yet, but Kirsten has and says it’s awesome (it is also really pretty!)

There’s also one more thing that I should mention – there is a colorless, flavorless option too! Referred to formally as a “Power Up”, or more casually as an “energy shot”, it contains the same plant extracts and caffeine that the flavored colors do, but gives you the ability to add some kick to otherwise caffeine-free options like smoothies, herbal iced teas, or Cabin Creams.

So that’s it! I hope you have as much fun experimenting with Lotus as I have! It takes a little trial and error to get the hang of all the options, but that is what makes Lotus unique and enables you to create your own ‘perfect’ beverage!