Joe on the Go: Drift Coffee is Your New Coffee Go To

Many may know the Drift Coffee Truck for their coffee buckets and long lines at the Farmer’s Market and Gulf Beach. However, what many might not know is the duo that serves their beverage is best friends Ben Bonessi and Griffin Gerardi, lifelong Milford residents fulfilling a dream of opening their own establishment.

“With years of experience in coffee and restaurants, we always imagined running something of our own. In March 2025, we finally made the leap,” they said.

That leap was building their cargo trailer “entirely by hand” to become what we now call Drift Coffee. Their menu is extensive for both food and beverages, so there is something for everyone, whether you’re a coffee drinker or not.

For drinks, they have hot coffee, cider, chai, matcha, apple cider, and their “fan-favorite” cold brew. To pair with their drinks, they have a huge variety of syrups to go along with whatever you choose — all of which are made in-house. In addition, they have two or three cold foam flavors that are rotated daily. When visiting them, I had my chai paired with Oatmilk and pumpkin spiced syrup, and it tasted like fall in a cup.

Of course, every beverage can be served in the iconic 24 oz bucket. Each bucket comes with a straw and is perfect to take a picture and take on the go.

“Customers can order any drink in that size,” they said.

Their food menu consists of bagels and waffles. The bagels they serve are from Cohen’s Bagels in Madison, and consist of flavors such as French Toast, everything, bacon, and more.

But the waffles are the true star of the show. When I visited them at the farmer’s market, you can smell their mouthwatering scent as they were freshly made in the truck as you waited in line. They have a regular one, as well as some seasonal flavors such as apple crisp waffles. I’ve had the apple crisp waffles, and they were out of this world. They were both crispy and fluffy at the same time — a feat that is rare — and with the brown sugar coating and apple filling, it tasted exactly like a waffle version of a warm apple cider donut that just came out of the oven.

My mouth is watering as I write that very description.

As fall enters into Milford, they said that flavors such as pumpkin, pumpkin spiced cream cheese, and apple crisp waffles will be on the menu. But past fall, I can see myself returning to their truck for my caffeine fix and a waffle as a sweet treat.

And I’m not the only one. Drift recently had their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony a few weeks back, and is now officially on the move.

“Since opening, we’ve been overwhelmed by the love and support from the Milford community,” they said.

To catch Drift, be sure to follow them on their Instagram. They will be at the Farmer’s Market until October 4th, and at Gulf Beach Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. to noon.