A top-down view of a latte in a yellow ceramic cup featuring heart-shaped foam art, set against a dark background with vibrant purple, pink, and orange graphic stripes flowing toward the cup.

NHM Online Presents L.A. Culture in a Cup, an online series celebrating the diversity of Los Angeles and its people through the lens of beverages and their significant vessels that bring us together.

In a city defined by its vibrant cultures and diverse neighborhoods, we explore how the ways we share a drink tell a story of history, ritual, and connection. From dynamic cafés, juice bars, and essential community gathering spots, this project highlights the artistry of cultural drinks and the unique vessels that hold them. We showcase how these individuals and businesses go beyond the norm to build community, celebrate resilience, and embrace L.A. in unique ways. By looking behind everything from ancestral drinks like pulque to global favorites like hot sand coffee and vibrant aguas frescas, we invite Angelenos to savor flavors, craftsmanship, and histories from around the world, celebrating the creativity and community that make Los Angeles thrive. 

Woman with long, dark hair over one shoulder, standing in front of a green wall with shelves of cups, cookbooks, and plants.

Fusion of the Soul

Pyet DeSpain | Chef and Author

A graphic depiction of dark green bats and a bird surround an agave plant in front of a full moon on a green background.

Special Offsite Program

Bats, Birds, and Agave | Nov 8

On November 8, L.A. Culture in a Cup feature, Mírate Restaurant & Bar, will host a special panel discussion on agave pollinators and ancestral ingredients in Mexican cuisine.

Join Us There
A wide-angle, eye-level studio photograph shows a deep, rounded bowl crafted from a polished coconut shell. The bowl is tilted slightly to the right, resting on a small, pointed nub at its base. It sits against a neutral, light-gray background. A black-and-white centimeter scale bar is positioned in the foreground for size reference.

A Virtual Tour of the "Cup" Collections

Explore the collections of the Natural History Museum through the lens of the vessel!

Check it out

Global Roots, Modern Pours

Explore the art of cultural craftsmanship.

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Cafe owner standing in front of a counter holding a colorful iced drink.

Ginger and James Dimapasok | Café 86

Vibrant, Layered & Meant to be Shared

Bald man in glasses using a pipette to measure ingredients into a custom coffee drink.

Jack Benchakul | Endorffeine

The Science of Sincerity: A Biochemist’s Pursuit of the Perfect Brew

Kavat Coffee Header

Serj Tankian & Ara Ajounian | Kavat Coffee

Modern Frequency: Bridging Coffee, Art, and the Armenian Diaspora

A man in a black vest and gloves smiles while pouring spiced tea from a glass teapot at Sana’a Cafe. The background features a patterned menu of Yemeni coffee and tea, with a red promotional banner in the foreground.

Sadeq Alaqel | Sana’a Cafe

A Haven of Hospitality

Timeless Tastes

Explore generations of resilience and legacy.

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A family portrait of cafe owners Rosa and her son Jefri, standing with Jefri's partner Michaela, uncle Elvis, and brother Christopher. They are smiling in the cafe's cozy seating area, which features warm ambient lighting, vibrant house plants, and artwork on the walls.

Rosa Gonzales, Jefri Lindo, Michaela Zholovnik, Christopher Lindo, DeBora Xon and Elvis Gonzales | Ülëw Coffee and Juice

Coffee, Mayan culture, and Connecting to the Land

Man in black t-shirt with Canter's Deli logo on it, standing inside a restaurant holding a bloody mary drink and Canter's branded napkin.

Marc Canter | Canter's Deli

Neon, Nosh, and Nostalgia

Two people smiling with colorful background

Percell, Ayanna, and Mia Keeling | Simply Wholesome

A Smoothie, A Statement, A Legacy

Two mem standing with a colorful drink in hand and in the forefront, again wall with graphic design

Philip Wang & Eric Wang | BOPOMOFO Cafe

The ABC's of Identity

Sanctuaries in a Sip

Explore spaces of care and connection

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A Woman and man stand in a coffee shop with an exposed brick wall and a colorful 70's decor.

Love, Legacy & Ube: A Family Love Story

Josh Oliveros & Heather Knox | Obet & Dels Coffee

Two women stand together and smile warmly in front of the glass entrance of Cruzita's Deli. A vibrant orange graphic at the bottom includes the business name and a cup of their signature deep red strawberry jamaica.

Maricruz and Celina Lopez | Cruzita’s Deli & Cafe

Nourishing the Neighborhood

South LA Cafe co-founders Joe and Celia Ward-Wallace smiling together inside their cafe. A teal graphic banner across the bottom features the company name and their signature "Western" horchata latte.

Celia & Joe Ward-Wallace | South LA Cafe

Brewing Resistance and Resilience

Two women pose together as a pink digital banner labeled "Sip & Sonder" ends in a coffee in front of them

Amanda-Jane Thomas and Shanita Nicholas | Sip & Sonder

Coffee for Collective Connection

Two people pose behind a long counter inside The Ruby Fruit. One wears a green top and dark pants, while the other wears a bright yellow jumpsuit. In the foreground, a lime green graphic banner features the bar's name next to an image of a red cocktail garnished with a dehydrated citrus wheel.

Mara Herbkersman & Emily Bielagus | The Ruby Fruit

More Than a Bar: Preserving a Sapphic Sanctuary

Drink it all in as we keep the stories flowing! 

Stay tuned as we brew up something special for the next months' refreshing features.

Two men in dark t-shirt standing with an arm around each other's shoulders in front of an abstract art mural of a face.

At Mírate, Max Reis and Chef Alan Sanz share their twist on pulque, in a new way that honors pre-Hispanic Mexican heritage.

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At Mírate, Max Reis and Chef Alan Sanz share their twist on pulque, in a new way that honors pre-Hispanic Mexican heritage.

Explore stories of community, culture, and history