La Colombe has announced the release of a limited edition Draft Latte Strawberry Mocha, coinciding with Valentine’s Day. The brand is promoting a campaign titled “Love Over Lattes” aimed at single coffee enthusiasts. To facilitate connections among singles, La Colombe has collaborated with dating experts from OkCupid and Tiff Baira, known as “NYC’s Cupid.” The initiative reflects a growing trend among younger generations, particularly Gen Z, who are increasingly opting for coffee shop dates. According to OkCupid, a significant majority of users, including 83% of Gen Z and 85% of Millennials, prefer coffee dates when using the app’s matching features.
To support this trend, La Colombe is hosting “Love Over Lattes” singles happy hours at select locations in New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Individuals unable to attend these events can enter for a chance to win a year of free coffee dates, which includes an at-home date kit and a supply of Draft Latte drinks.
Kathryn O’Connor, Chief Marketing Officer at La Colombe, noted the brand’s observation of coffee’s role in fostering connections, referencing numerous wedding invitations received from couples who met in their cafés.
The new Strawberry Mocha flavor combines natural strawberry flavoring and real cocoa, offering a coffee drink that is both frothy and subtly sweet. This product contains 50% less sugar than the average flavored ready-to-drink coffee and is a source of fiber. The flavor was inspired by a successful seasonal offering previously available in La Colombe cafés. Niel Sandfort, Chief Innovation Officer at Chobani and La Colombe, expressed enthusiasm for introducing this innovative flavor, which aims to appeal to consumers seeking indulgent yet lower-sugar options. The Strawberry Mocha is described as reminiscent of chocolate-dipped strawberries.