La Prima Espresso Company The bold flavors of coffee, peppermint, and chocolate go hand in hand (in hand). And they do so beautifully at La Prima Espresso Company. We headed to the North Side setup in Nova Place, where the traditional Italian-style brews the Strip District flagship is known for can be enjoyed with flavorful twists that reflect the seasons. Around the holidays, Manager Sam Polito serves up what he calls “a modern take on a peppermint mocha.” The secret to the drink’s smoothness is the use of organic chocolate milk — a creamier alternative to the usual go-to of chocolate syrup. Barista Cole Tucci whips up a house-made, peppermint simple syrup to join the chocolate milk and La Prima’s Miscela Bar Espresso in pure peppermint mocha bliss. “I like this [drink] because it’s real chocolate and actual peppermint from the plant,” Polito says. “It’s authentic. You don’t get that sugary, overly sweet taste like you do with bottled syrups.” After one sip of the frothy concoction, we can agree. The peppermint is immediately present without overpowering, as it’s mellowed out by the richness of the other components. “It was hard to find the balance and the exact measurements to marry the flavors of the coffee, chocolate, and peppermint,” Tucci says. We think they nailed it. La Prima Espresso Company, Nova Place, 100 S. Commons St., North Side. 412.577.8090. 205 21st St., Strip District. 412.281.1922. laprima.com.
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11/14/16 3:09 PM