YESpresso

Quick story. Years ago, I wrote about how sometimes people mistake me for a non-native speaker of English. That’s a longer story, and you’re welcome to read that here.

Well, on Sunday I found myself walking around Troy with a belly full of chowder, and desperately in need of something to help me power through. And there, like a beacon in the chowder fog, was Superior Merchandise Co.

It had been a tragically long time since I had stopped in to check out the coffee situation there. I missed the three year anniversary, and I missed the opening of their new coffee roastery. Apparently, I also was absent for most of their summer drinks menu, which was still active as of Sunday.

One of my great frustrations, but also one of the great joys of Superior Merch, is that they change the drink menu every few months to pair with the season. Given that I had a belly full of cream and butter, I had no interest in a yogurt drink. But SMCo is slinging a Corn Silk Lassi which they say has cereal milk inspired flavors, and that sounds really good.

But all I wanted was an espresso. Until, that is, the woman behind the counter wasn’t quite sure what I said.

Espresso. Espresso. Espresso. What else sounds like espresso, you might ask. Well, cleverly, one of the specialty drinks is now called Yespresso. And the confusion was easy enough to clear up. However, I was curious. What exactly is a Yespresso?

She told me it used a kombucha vinegar from Yesfolk tonics, and combined that with espresso and sparkling water.

[enter lightning bolt]

Okay. Change of plans. That was all I needed to hear. So I switched my order to a Yespresso. Although instead of getting it in a proper cup to stay, I’d take it in a portable cup to go. The idea was sort of like an espresso and tonic, which is delicious.

Leaving the shop, I take a sip and the drink literally stops me in my tracks. It was complex, well balanced, and had just layers and layers of flavor. In fact, it was so delicious, I had to turn around, go back into the store, and tell the clerk just how much I enjoyed it.

This, of course, is when I learned the Yespresso was on the summer menu. So I was heartbroken. And then she told me that it was the one drink that would stay on the menu. So I was overjoyed.

Anyhow, I thought you should know. And maybe it’s a good reminder to visit SMCo if you haven’t been for a while. That crew is always doing great things with coffee. One of these days I’ll have to pop back in and try some of the Troy roasted stuff too.