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Alejandro Griffin-Diaz
Company: JACOB ALEJANDRO
Signature drink: Golden Fantasy
Describe your journey in the coffee industry so far:
My journey in coffee has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I fell in love with coffee at 18, when I had the opportunity to work on a coffee farm for six months. Immersing myself in the entire production chain. From harvest to processing, cupping, and quality control gave me a deep respect for the labour, tradition, and generational knowledge behind every single bean. Witnessing producers pour their heart into their craft was life changing, and it shaped my purpose in coffee forever.
Today, my husband and I own two specialty coffee shops in Upstate New York, where our mission goes beyond serving great beverages. We strive to inspire and educate our community through coffee sharing the origin stories, honouring the people behind the product, and creating meaningful experiences that connect guests to the global coffee world. Since coffee doesn't grow in the U.S., we feel a responsibility to uplift the voices, cultures, and farmers whose work makes my work possible. Coffee has taken me from rural farms to global stages, and each step continues to fuel my passion, curiosity, and commitment to represent producers with integrity and pride.
Describe an innovative coffee creation or technique you use that isn't commonly used or known:
Recently, I've been exploring the intersection of coffee and modern zero-proof mixology. At my shops, I create non-alcoholic coffee forward beverages using techniques more commonly seen behind a cocktail bar clarification, milk-washing, infusions, and layered flavour extractions. These methods bring structure, texture, and complexity to coffee drinks in a way that feels elevated yet approachable for guests.
I also developed my own house-made oat milk formula specifically designed for barista use. It steams and pours like high-end commercial brands, allowing us to offer a fully crafted, in-house experience from bean to milk pitcher. This approach lets me push coffee forward while making specialty techniques accessible and engaging for our community.
Tell us a bit about your signature drink:
For this year's signature drink, I'm drawing inspiration from fashion. I love fashion the way it evolves, reinvents itself, and sets trends and I see coffee the same way. Our industry is constantly changing through varieties, processing, and creativity; every day there's something new to discover. My goal is to create a beverage that feels innovative, stylish, and expressive a drink with flavour and “fashion” attitude.
Some ingredients I'm exploring include pecans, maple, peanut butter, a coffee-based spirit, and possibly a small bite to pair with the drink for a full sensory experience.
Golden Fantasy by Alejandro Griffin-Diaz:
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