As If I’d Sip Anything Else — The Valley Girl Latte Is That Drink

By Ersilia Pompilio

Alright, listen up, caffeine lovers and desert wanderers!

If you’re cruising through Cathedral City and need a jolt that’s more rad than your Tamagotchi collection, Hot Lips Coffee is where you wanna be.

Boho Vibes Meets Psychedelia

Nestled right below the artsy Cove (think: boho vibes meet slight psychedelia), this joint serves up an iced coffee that’s basically a time machine back to the ’90s—called The Valley Girl.

Mac, the master barrista (yeah, that’s his official title, don’t @ me), whipped up this icy delight. Picture this: an iced oat milk salted caramel vanilla latte with a shot of espresso that hits harder than a Fresh Prince burn. Mac swears it’s sweet, savory, and sneaky smooth—like it sneaks up on you and kicks your brain into turbo mode. He named it after Tara, the owner of Hot Lips Coffee, who’s basically reclaiming the desert valley scene from the San Fernando Valley’s OG valley girl status.

90's Nostalgia

Inspired by the classic “Oh My God, Valley Girl” collab from Moon Zappa and her dad Frank (throwback alert!), Mac’s drink pays homage to all things ’90s nostalgia—because who doesn’t wanna sip their coffee and say “As if!” under their breath?

Fun fact: Mac’s a Brooklyn transplant and former coffee shop boss who’s known for crafting one-of-a-kind drinks that feel like little masterpieces. So, if you want to taste the desert’s coolest secret, slide into Hot Lips, grab a Valley Girl, and channel your inner Cher Horowitz. Totally tubular, dude.

About the Author

Ersilia Pompilio is the Editor in Chief of SQUAD Magazine, a Palm Springs guide for bachelorettes and ladies who love to leisure. With over two decades of experience in performing, producing live storytelling shows, and hosting a podcast, she has also taught storytelling classes and written professionally for several media outlets. Originally from Los Angeles, Ersilia is also a twenty-year resident of Palm Springs, California.