Minnesota Coffee Shop's Viral Raspberry Danish Latte Goes Global
A viral coffee drink, the raspberry danish latte, created by a small coffee shop in a Minnesota college town, is now spreading worldwide after its inventors decided to give away the recipe for free. Little Joy Coffee, located on the outskirts of Minneapolis, saw its spring seasonal drink go viral in March, prompting the owners to encourage other coffee shops to adopt it directly onto their menus.
From Local Creation to International Sensation
After posting both a home recipe and step-by-step instructions for coffee shops, Little Joy asked establishments if they wanted to be added to a map of places serving the raspberry danish latte. Hundreds of shops quickly signed up, resulting in a map with pins in dozens of countries across every continent except Antarctica. The map has garnered nearly 2 million views, showcasing the drink's rapid global reach.
Baristas from Little Joy recently tasted their invention while on vacation in Dublin, Ireland, highlighting just how far the latte has traveled. The idea originated from the shop's DIY or buy video series, which aims to show people how their recipes are made and the costs involved, especially as affordability concerns grow among Americans and others worldwide.
The Recipe and Its Impact
The raspberry danish latte costs $8 at Little Joy and consists of house-made raspberry syrup at the bottom, followed by milk and a double shot of espresso, topped with vanilla cream cheese foam and two raspberries on a skewer. The shop estimates the DIY cost at about $2.46, excluding labor or tools. Store manager Serena Walker advised in a video, The verdict is in: don't make this one at home, emphasizing the complexity and value of the professional version.
Set in downtown Northfield, Minnesota, a town with a population of about 20,000 and the slogan cows, colleges, community, Little Joy recognized that most of its over 132,000 Instagram followers wouldn't visit in person. Owner Cody Larson initially doubted the idea, worrying that no one would adopt the recipe, but he saw small coffee shops as collaborators rather than competitors, with big chains being the real competition.
Collaboration Over Competition
Larson explained that sharing the recipe was an extension of the friendly dynamics among small shops. Giving permission allowed many distant shops to feel comfortable adding the drink without fear of being copycats. He noted that it doesn't hurt Little Joy if a coffee shop in California serves the same drink, as each establishment may adapt it differently.
Little Joy doesn't vet the shops that sign up, so customers should contact them to confirm availability. Larson receives emails from shops making ingredient swaps, but he leaves it to their discretion, trusting that customers understand variations from shop to shop.
Seasonal Success and Future Plans
The raspberry danish latte, inspired by the pastry, became Little Joy's top seller during its short spring menu run, outperforming standard lattes. However, it won't stay on the menu past the season. The shop has noticed trends shifting away from pricier specialty ingredients like yuzu, reflecting broader economic pressures.
Walker highlighted that the DIY or buy series helps customers see the costs behind an $8 latte, including ingredients, labor, and overhead, providing perspective on small shop pricing. Drinks tied to familiar desserts, such as a carrot cake latte, have proven popular, with Larson drawing inspiration from mixology techniques.
Unexpected Fame and Community Response
In person, Little Joy serves local residents and college professors in the mornings, with students from Northfield's two private colleges in the afternoons. Since the recipe went viral, people have driven hours to try the drink, often during family visits or specifically for Little Joy. Walker expressed amazement at this dedication, feeling pressure to meet expectations.
Despite some detractors questioning the drink's originality, Larson compared it to art in a museum, emphasizing the work put into perfecting ratios. He remains surprised by the latte's global spread and is brainstorming follow-ups, considering occasional recipe shares but focusing on items that will sell well. With a growing online following from other coffee shops, he explores new ways to share knowledge and engage the community.
Larson reflected, I still don't understand how it went so far, pondering what's next for Little Joy and its newfound influence in the coffee world.
