When I, a longtime tea lover, finally started drinking coffee about a year ago, my suspicions that most of the world was mad for preferring what’s essentially soaked bean juice to a refreshing cup of iced tea were compounded by the fact that coffee took forever to make in the morning. Even though it can be a calming ritual, brewing a cup always seemed to require an endless dripping of my coffee maker. My mind, however, craved the dose of energy that only a strong, dark brew could give me. So for months, I kept on waiting impatiently by my kitchen island every morning for a warm cup of bean juice — until Clevr Blends’ SuperLattes came along.
Most people will recognize Clevr Blends for its very high-profile investor: Meghan Markle. As the first company that Meghan chose to back as a private investor, Clevr Blends quickly grew a list of other A-list fans including Kim Kardashian and Oprah, who called them her “new drink of choice for the morning and night” after Meghan sent her a basket full of Clevr’s products. Frankly, I was skeptical, but in the months since trying them, the SuperLattes have changed my morning routine for the better.
At first glance, Clevr’s SuperLattes are like your typical pour-and-mix instant drinks. All you need are 8 ounces of water (iced or hot) and 3 tablespoons of the SuperLatte powder for a sip, but that’s where the similarities really end. As their names indicate, Clevr’s SuperLattes claim to boost your overall wellness by adding 500 million heat-safe probiotics and 1,000 milligrams of adaptogens in every serving that are supposed to lift your mood. Flavors like the Matcha, Coffee, Rose Cacao, and Chai blends also come with as much as 50 milligrams of caffeine in each cup.
Even though I’ll still have a cup of coffee, I’ve increasingly turned to Clevr’s blends for something different to perk up my mornings. Out of all flavors, the Matcha and Rose Cacao SuperLattes stood out to me. I was definitely more energetic after a cup of the matcha (my favorite flavor), which comes with 45 milligrams of caffeine in each serving. The Rose Cacao blend that Clevr launched in May is my other go-to, and I’m only surprised that this limited-edition batch, which tastes like a rich, decadent cup of smooth hot chocolate you’d only find in expensive coffee shops, hasn’t sold out yet.
Like many other mission-driven initiatives that Meghan supports, Clevr places an emphasis on ethical sourcing and sustainability when it comes to its productions. The women-led brand, founded by Hannah Mendoza, donates one percent of its revenue to food justice organizations (such as the Santa Monica-based El Centro SB) and prioritizes working with small businesses that use regenerative farming practices in gathering its ingredients. “I’m proud to invest in Hannah’s commitment to sourcing ethical ingredients and creating a product that I personally love and has a holistic approach to wellness,” said Meghan in her initial statement announcing her investment.
After trying Clevr, I totally see why Meghan threw her weight behind the brand. The SuperLattes are scrumptious, easy to make, and perfect for those who want a morning or afternoon alternative to coffee without all the fuss. I couldn’t really tell if the lattes boosted my mood like they claimed, but they were so delicious, I couldn’t help but smile after a few sips.
