“I enjoy replicating the profiles of sweet pastries in our coffee syrups.”
Swadesi General Manager Anumoy Das and I have a lot in common. We both love coffee and we both love pastry. So I was delighted to discover Das’ whole deal when it comes to recreating the sweet thrill of pastry in playful coffee beverages. Coffee purists like me simply can’t get enough.
Swadesi, located blocks from Chicago’s Union Station, opened in 2024 by the same group that runs the city’s only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant and draws inspiration from chai houses in India. Its beverages range from coffees, nitro masala chai, other teas, wine, and a unique program of seasonal offerings like their new Strawberry Shortcake Latte—which can be ordered with an espresso or matcha base.
Das felt “the sweet, crumbly, and buttery notes of a strawberry shortcake would pair perfectly with coffee. We used those same flavor elements along with fresh strawberries to develop a house-made syrup for the recipe.” Using Kilgus Farm milk and fresh strawberries, the drink can be enjoyed both iced and hot.
We spoke with Anumoy Das to learn more.
How did you work to balance the flavors and create the perfect taste profile?
With my culinary background, I believe every item needs a balance of salt, sugar, acid, and heat. When I develop any syrup, I focus on those elements alongside the primary ingredients.
What kind of coffee is used in this drink?
We use a South American blend with notes of cherry, nougat, and wildflower honey. Our espresso beans are very bright, which complements the strawberry shortcake syrup well. For the matcha version, we use ceremonial matcha from Spirit Tea with notes of edamame, pea shoots, and chocolate daisy.
Would you recommend any food pairings to go along with it?
The drink is quite complete on its own and does not require a specific pairing. But truly, any of our pastries in the cafe would work great with it! From out Butter Chicken Croissant to our Jaggery Chocolate Chip Cookie, anything goes!
Thank you!
The drink is available through June 21, 2026. Visit Swadesi’s official website, follow them on Instagram @swadesicafe, and check them out at 328 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661.
