Pamela Rouse []

A mocha espresso cupcake made by Julie Desmeules of Blue Cupcake.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The offer of free treats drew a steady stream of foot traffic between the Civic Center and 3rd and Spring yesterday, as those in business attire made their way to to sample the new offerings from .

Owner Julie Desmeules was on-hand offering a variety of cupcake flavors. The raspberry velvet seemed very popular, as did mocha espresso and red velvet offerings.

The red velvet was a moist cupcake with buttercream frosting. The mocha espresso had a chocolate espresso cupcake, with mocha vanilla cream buttercream and infused with mocha cream filling. The cupcake uses real espresso in its recipe.

Desmeules says the cupcakes used are all natural, no flavorings added. Also offered were strawberry, chocolate, coconut, vanilla, PB&J, lemon, and the aforementioned raspberry velvet.

Lot44 paired the giveaway with samples of their iced latte, made up by talented barista Julio. The perfectly flavored drink didn't need any sweetening.

The coffee shop will stock six to nine flavors of cupcake daily, offering a great compliment to owner Ariel Graham's array of coffees.

Lot44 Coffee / 275 S. Spring, Suite 115 / Monday through Friday, 6:30am to 7pm /