Stumptown Coffee This Valentine’s Day, I celebrate sweetness in all its forms. In early February, diminutive love stations were installed in Stumptown cafes across the country, each with colorful paper hearts provided with pens that guests can operate to write miniature notes expressing love and compassion. The idea was born in 2025 at the Ace Hotel in Stumptown, Fresh York, says communications manager Shireen Faridniya. The idea was created by a barista to provide a positive note in times of division. “We always want guests to feel better than the moment they walked through our doors,” Sprudge says, “and now we’re seeing how guests can do the same for themselves, even anonymously.”
On a recent February morning, I stopped by SW Washington Stumptown location in Portland experience the station for yourself. I left some notes and checked some too. The feeling was truly special and full of love; I have been to many cafes and coffee shops and this one felt unique and significant.
To sweeten the deal this Valentine’s Day weekend, Stumptown is launching a very restricted edition holiday drink, available for two days only: February 14 and 15. It’s called Raspberry Rose Mocha and is a collaboration between Stumptown (NY+LA) area leader Dandy Anderson and Ace Hotel Cafe manager Anna Keable. Using Wooden chocolatehomemade rose syrup and a hint of raspberries, the drink is a wealthy and delicious mocha moment that is best shared with someone close to you.
What espresso do you operate for Raspberry Rose Mocha?
We operate our Hair Bender Espresso blend. Hair Bender is our most sophisticated espresso blend, featuring coffees from Central and South America, East Africa and Indonesia. Its complexity provides a harmonious flavor profile of jasmine, orange, cherry, caramel and murky chocolate.
Could you tell us a bit about the chocolate ingredient used in the drink?
We operate Woodblock Chocolate for all of our chocolate-based drinks, including this one! It is a vegan, bittersweet mixture of murky chocolate. This particular cocoa powder comes from cocoa beans from Kakoa Kamili, a fermentation house in the southwestern Tanzanian village of Mbingu.
How are raspberry and rose flavors incorporated into the drink?
We operate homemade rose syrup, which we then combine with our homemade chocolate ganache and sprinkle with lovely freeze-dried raspberry powder.
Do you have a recommended milk combination that goes best with floral and fruity notes?
By default we add oat milk to all our drinks, but any milk your guest prefers will taste delicious.
What cake will best complement the Raspberry-Pink Mocha?
We recommend the classic croissant from our regional partners Bread Salon (THIS), Bread from Avignon (Fresh York) i Wróbel Bakery (PDX). You can’t go wrong with a buttery, flaky yet consistent croissant companion. If you want to spice things up, bam, get an almond croissant.
Have there been any memorable reactions or notes that staff have noticed since the station launched on February 1?
The response was very positive! All our cafes already have full jars and our baristas are joyful with the activation. We are always most proud when we can implement the ideas that came from the barista team.
Could you share with our readers who aren’t close to a coffee shop an “at home” recipe or general preparation proportions so they can try to recreate the Raspberry Rose Mocha in their own kitchens?
Combine a little rose water with white sugar and warm water in a 1:1 ratio, add to your favorite homemade chocolate ganache and crush a handful of raspberries if you don’t have access to freeze-dried raspberries locally.
Thank you.
