The best drink ideas come from the people making hundreds of drinks a day. They’re experimenting with flavor combos during downtime, they know the ingredients inside and out, and they’re hearing from guests every day about what they want to see on the menu. So we're handing the creative reins to the people who've earned them: our baristas!
Introducing Barista Crafted Drinks — a rotating series of limited-time specials created by real Bean Team members at locations across the country. These aren't test kitchen concepts. They're drinks born from genuine creativity, customer requests, and baristas who know The Human Bean menu so well they can remix it in their sleep.
Meet the Cocotella
The first Barista Crafted Drink to hit all locations is the Cocotella Breve, created by Mallory J. at our Pasadena, Maryland drive-thru. It's a coconut breve with chocolate sauce artfully drizzled around the cup. It’s creamy, indulgent, and absolutely camera-ready. It’s where coconut dreams meet chocolate therapy, and it’s being featured at all locations starting February 4, 2026.
"Coconut and chocolate work so well together, and when you get that first sip with rich, gooey chocolate sauce, it just checks all the boxes," says Mallory. “The Cocotella gets its name from the combo of nutty flavors and chocolate, which always reminds me of creamy, smooth Nutella."
Baristas as Innovators
Baristas aren't just making drinks at The Human Bean. They're curating experiences, reading the room (or drive-thru), remembering regulars' orders, and turning a Tuesday morning coffee run into the best part of someone's day. They see trends before they hit TikTok. They know what customizations people are asking for on repeat.
This makes them the experts. Our baristas are creating drinks with stories, mixed by real people who care about the craft. When you visit The Human Bean at any location around the U.S., you know your drink was made by someone like Mallory who genuinely loves what they do and understands the assignment: make it delicious, make it memorable, make it YOURS.
Creativity…It’s in the Family
Our Barista Crafted Drinks aren’t just a menu update — they’re an example of who gets a voice in the company. Hint, it’s everyone. The Human Bean has always operated like a family, and families listen to each other.
The Cocotella Breve is just the beginning. Throughout the year, expect new Barista Crafted Drinks dropping regularly — each one with a story, and each one created by someone who knows coffee, community, and how to turn an on-the-go drink into an experience.
When the Cocotella launches on February 4, raise your cup to Mallory in Pasadena, and to all of The Human Bean baristas who are changing the world, one cup at a time!