I have a confession to make. As a lifestyle editor, my job is to be on the lookout for the next big thing. But when I flew down to Miami for Music Week at the end of March, I was officially off the clock. My only agenda was to disappear into the humid, pulsing energy of the city, see a few favorite DJs, and maybe get a little sun on my winter-pale skin. Work was the last thing on my mind.
That is, until Saturday night.
We ended up at this incredible venue, Little River Studios, for an outdoor show. If you haven’t been, it’s a sprawling, magical place—a cluster of historic beach cottages and an old wooden barn dropped into a sandy, palm-tree-filled lot. It feels less like a venue and more like a secret party at someone’s impossibly cool, rambling estate. The air was thick with music and the smell of saltwater as we made our way to one of the outdoor bars.
I was about to order my usual vodka soda when my eyes caught a curious combination on the menu: “Espresso + Tequila.” I blinked. It sounded both bizarre and brilliant. My afternoon coffee and my evening cocktail, holding hands? In the spirit of Miami, I decided to take the risk.
The bartender grabbed a sleek, colorful can, popped it open, and poured the fizzing, dark liquid over ice before adding a shot of tequila and a lime wedge. The can said “Esspo.” I’d never heard of it.
I took a sip, and my brain did a full-on reboot. This was not the syrupy, chemical-tasting energy drink I was expecting. It was something else entirely. It was crisp and bubbly, with a deep, authentic espresso flavor that was cut through with a bright, citrusy note. It was complex, refreshing, and not too sweet—the perfect, sophisticated counterpoint to the smooth tequila. It was, in a word, incredible. The kind of drink that makes you stop and say, “Wait, what is this?”
My editor brain, which I had tried so hard to switch off, came roaring back to life. I pulled out my phone, angled it away from the flashing lights, and typed “Esspo drink” into the search bar.
And down the rabbit hole I went. It turns out Esspo stands for espresso soda, a new beverage brand launched by Philippe von Borries and Justin Stefano. If those names sound familiar, it’s because they’re the masterminds who founded Refinery29. They had taken the concept of an espresso tonic—that cult-favorite drink of coffee aficionados—and perfected it in a can. They weren’t just mixing coffee and seltzer; they were creating a whole new category of beverage designed for what they called the “afternoon upgrade.”
I was intrigued. The next day, nursing a mild headache and a major curiosity, I went straight to their website and ordered a variety pack. A few days after I got home, three flavors arrived at my door: Classic Vanilla, Cherry Vanilla, and Sweet Lemon. I poured the Sweet Lemon over ice and tried it on its own, without the tequila. It was even more of a revelation. It had the caffeine kick of my usual cold brew but sipped like a craft soda. It was light, energizing, and genuinely delicious—the perfect antidote to the 3 PM slump that so often has me reaching for another cup of coffee or a sugary snack.
It’s been a few weeks since I got back from Miami, and Esspo has become a staple in my daily routine. That can I crack open around 3 PM is no longer just about getting through the rest of the workday; it’s a small moment of pleasure, a little luxury that feels both indulgent and functional. It’s the sophisticated, grown-up energy drink I didn’t even know I was missing.
Philippe von Borries said he created Esspo after feeling that the coffee shelf was a “brown, stale, forgettable” place with “no fun, no innovation.” He was right. And with Esspo, he and his team have created something that is not only fun and innovative but also genuinely game-changing for anyone who has been searching for a better way to caffeinate.
I went to Miami for the music, but I came back with a whole new afternoon ritual. And for an editor who’s always on the hunt for the next discovery, it was the best kind of surprise.
