From Coffee Dreams To Clean Syrups: The Story Of Motif

Motif went through several evolutions before becoming what it is today: a business crafting clean-label flavored syrup for coffee and tea.

Motif started as an idea for a coffee shop

The initial idea for Motif started as an NYC coffee shop. I was burned out from years in the corporate world and began reflecting on my roots — serving people quality coffee and food. My first job was at my family’s business, Zabar’s, where I scooped and bagged coffee beans. That early experience sparked my lifelong passion for great coffee.

Working at Zabar’s in 2019

When I decided to start Motif, my first thought was to open a café in New York City. I received my barista certification and began sampling coffees to prepare for life as a coffee shop owner. However, as I delved deeper into the coffee world, the idea began to shift. With a background in tech and e-commerce, I started to wonder how I could bring the café experience online through selling coffee beans to customers.

Coffee cupping during my barista certification course in March 2025

Sampling coffees while exploring starting a coffee business

But existing flavored coffee syrups weren’t where we wanted them to be

The idea evolved even further as I conducted more research. Through conversations with coffee shop owners and roasters across NYC, one insight kept surfacing: the flavored syrups used in most coffee and tea drinks are full of junk. Big-name brands dominate the market and their ingredient lists show they are filled with excessive sugars, artificial flavors, and synthetic dyes. I knew then that this was an idea worth pursuing, so I conducted some research to understand if there was a mismatch between existing syrup formulas and customer’s expectations.

Researching coffee syrups in the market

I began speaking directly with coffee and tea drinkers to uncover their frustrations. My question was simple: “If I’m so dissatisfied with coffee syrups, who else feels the same?” The answer was clear: hundreds of people wanted a natural coffee syrup option that added flavor without compromise. Many coffee drinkers had stopped using syrups altogether because they couldn’t find a clean, natural alternative.

Motif was created to transform your morning ritual

That insight became Motif’s purpose: to make and sell quality products made with clean ingredients that elevate the daily ritual of drinking coffee and tea at home. Over the past few months, the Motif team has been hard at work developing the first formulations and securing manufacturing partners to bring our syrups to you.

Testing syrup samples at our food scientist's lab

We’re just getting started but we can’t wait to share our flavored syrups for coffee and tea made with real ingredients and no artificial additives. Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to launch, and follow our journey as we bring better coffee and tea syrups to your cup.