Great coffee and an active lifestyle aren't in competition. At Caspian Coast, we believe the best morning is one where your cup actually works as hard as you do.
Who Is Sama Ghorbani?
Sama Ghorbani is a Los Angeles-based fitness coach, wellness creator, and Venice local whose approach to health is exactly what you'd expect from someone who lives a block from the boardwalk: joyful, community-driven, and deeply practical. She's not selling perfection. She's selling showing up — to your workout, to your morning, to your life. Her online community across Instagram and YouTube has built a following around the idea that wellness should feel good, not punishing.
The Collaboration: A Protein Coffee That Actually Tastes Good
When Sama came to us with the idea of a protein coffee on the Caspian Coast menu, we had one condition: it had to be delicious first, functional second. We worked together on the formulation — espresso from Sightglass as the base, organic vegan protein blended in (no chalky aftertaste, we tested eight versions), a touch of our house cardamom syrup for warmth and Persian character, and a vanilla cream top. The result is the Sama Special: 20g of protein, a double shot of espresso, and a flavor profile that's more latte than supplement.
The Beach Party: Where It All Launched
On June 20th, we took the collaboration to Venice Beach — Windward Plaza. Sama led a morning group hike, we set up a pop-up serving the Sama Special alongside our summer drinks, and about 80 people showed up to move, connect, and sip. It was exactly the kind of event that defines what Caspian Coast is for: not just coffee, but culture. Not just customers, but community.
Why Protein Coffee? Why Now?
The demand for functional coffee — drinks that do something beyond caffeine — has grown dramatically in Los Angeles and beyond. But most protein coffees sacrifice taste for numbers. The Sama Special is our answer to that: a drink that fits into a post-workout morning, a pre-yoga ritual, or just a Tuesday when you want something that keeps you full until noon. We're proud to offer it. And we're proud it tastes like us.
Find the Sama Special at Caspian Coast
The Sama Special is available at Caspian Coast Coffee at 1501 Main St, Unit 103, Venice, CA. Ask for it by name. And if you're in the mood for a workout first, check out Sama's events and content — she's one of the best in Venice.
Try the Sama Special at Caspian Coast. 1501 Main St, Unit 103, Venice, CA.
