By Nicole LaBosco and Vanessa Poulson
Welcome to Back to Basics, where we classy ladies try to establish just how basic one can be in the Orlando area. Each month, we’ll be taking on a new theme, and we’ll be searching for the best in basic trends. We’ve all heard some of the most recent popular foodie trends – charcoal, galaxy and unicorn – as well as familiar classics such as pumpkin spice and peppermint. We hope we can inspire the rest of the Nonahood to embrace their inner basic.
It’s April everybody, and though people say April showers bring May flowers, we like to think celebrating all foodie floral trends is the best way to kick off the spring season and enjoy some light and refreshing drinks, treats and sweets.
Order: Lavender Latte with Coconut Milk, Vanilla Bean Latte with Soy Milk
Place: Vespr
Final Review Nicole: This is not a drill – I’m so giddy right now! I’ve been dying to try a Lavender Latte for the longest time, and that day has finally come. I kid you not, I was a little too excited for this moment. The barista topped off my latte with a heart, and I was off to embrace my latte dreams. The dark roast espresso was a little too strong for my taste, and I did wish the lavender flavor notes were more apparent. I think it’s safe to say I had super high expectations for this, however, I did still enjoy it. I probably wouldn’t order it again, though. The strength in the espresso was what I was hoping the strength of the lavender flavor notes would be.
Final Review Vanessa: Vespr never disappoints as far as their craft coffee goes. The lavender is very subtle in the latte, but the drink itself is very sweet and delicious. The vanilla bean is another refreshing treat. It’s made with real Madagascar vanilla, which is completely beyond any of my wildest dreams as far as coffee goes. I love the aesthetic appeal of Vespr, it makes a great study and hangout spot for adults and students alike. The baristas are always incredibly kind and always willing to help you pick out the perfect drink to pick up your day.
Taste: 7/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
Environment: 10/10
Price: 6.5/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 6/10
Order: Rose Lavender Boba
Place: Chibi’s Boba
Final Review Nicole: This combination is my go-to flavor. It’s so floral, and I’m obsessed. I’m having visions of frolicking through a lavender field with rose petals being thrown on me. This flavor combo will never disappoint me, and I’m ready for another. Honestly, shout-out to Chibi’s for always making me happy and staying true to its concept.
Final Review Vanessa: I’m not usually a huge fan of things that taste like I’m eating a flower (@Nicole), but this drink is very sweet and fun for a Florida spring day! I really love not only the drinks at Chibi’s, but also how incredibly kind and accommodating the staff is whenever Nicole and I go in there. They’re always willing to talk to us about new flavors and concepts, and that not only makes their drinks all the more sweet but also highlights the customer service and interactive part of the experience.
Taste: 10/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
Environment: 10/10
Price: 8/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 8/10
Order: Earl Grey and Lavender Ice Cream
Place: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal
Final Review Vanessa: Hands down, this ice cream did not disappoint. For starters, I’ve always been a huge Earl Grey tea fan, and with lavender as a compliment to the flavor, I knew I was in for something great. The lavender flavor was definitely present in the ice cream, but I didn’t have one moment where I found it to be overwhelming. Of course, being Universal, the quality of the ice cream was completely exceptional, however, a bit pricey. Nonetheless, the best part of all of this was making Nicole INCREDIBLY jealous that she was not present to enjoy the treat I know she would have loved (sorry, honey xoxo).
Taste: 1000000/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
Environment: 10/10
Price: 5/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 5/10
Order: Earl Grey Lavender Iced Tea and Aromatic Rose Iced Tea
Place: Krungthep Tea Time
Final Review Nicole: These teas are so deLIGHTful! The lavender notes are really apparent in the Earl Grey lavender tea, which I absolutely adore. Indulge in the rose tea and smell the roses! After all, there’s a reason it’s called Aromatic Rose. If you’re a fan of unsweetened loose leaf teas, this is for you. The rose flavor is nowhere near as strong as the scent. These are not sweet drinks, which is totally fine. They are perfect! Out of the two, I prefer the Earl Grey Lavender. I’d like to have another sometime soon. I really wish there was a Krungthep in Lake Nona, or a similar concept. It’d make a perfect fit in the Nonahood.
Taste: 10/10
Aesthetic: 10/10
Environment: 10/10
Price: 7/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 5/10
Order: Iced London Fog Tea Latte w/ Coconut Milk
Place: Starbucks
Final Review Nicole: I was intrigued to try this because of the described lavender notes, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s nowhere near as sweet as most Starbucks drinks, which is nice, but for those of you who prefer sweet drinks, you might want to add an extra pump of vanilla syrup. My initial reaction was that it wasn’t as sweet as I thought it would be. However, it’s nice to enjoy a refreshing latte that isn’t overwhelmingly sweet every once in awhile. The subtle citrus notes complement the lavender notes nicely, although once again, I wish the lavender was more apparent. I think my addition of the coconut milk makes everything taste lighter, so to speak. I can begin to understand why this is called London Fog. I feel like I can’t really describe why, but it just makes sense. Haha! Maybe because it’s got a delicate and dainty flavor? If you’re craving a tea latte, but don’t want a sweet one like Chai or Matcha, go with the London Fog.
Taste: 7/10
Aesthetic: 7/10
Environment: 6/10
Price: 6/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 10/10
Order: Lavender Lemonade (Adult Beverage)
Place: Vanbarry’s Public House
Final Review Nicole: This drink is simple and refreshing! It’s made with St. Augustine Vodka, fresh lemonade and lavender simple syrup. It comes out in a large mason jar and has a faint lavender hue to it. I won’t lie, I squealed a bit when I saw this on the menu. It’s something I’ve always wanted to enjoy. The drink is so fresh, and the lavender flavored syrup is transparent enough for those who don’t like a super strong floral taste but perfect for those like me who would probably just shove the actual lavender plant in their mouth – a nice compromise for all. I probably finished mine a little too quickly, and, honestly, I just want to go frolic in a glorious lavender field now. Be right back…
Taste: 9/10
Aesthetic: 7/10
Environment: 7/10
Price: 8/10
Proximity to Nonahood: 6/10
Next month, we’ll enter the UV world and experience the color of 2018: UltraViolet Purple!
