Best Cold Coffee-based Drinks in BGC | Ultimate Coffee Guide
This is for the coffee lovers out there. Just for fun, I decided to try most if not all specialty cafes or coffee shops around Bonifacio Global City or BGC. The goal is to know which coffee shop has the best cold coffee-based drink.
It would be difficult to try all coffee shops even if it is specific to BGC only. To narrow it down, we will skip the common coffee shops like: Starbucks, Tim Hortons and Coffee Bean.
For this experience, the criteria for the ratings will be based on taste, size and price. Disclaimer: I am not an expert on this field. I am just sharing my experience to you guys.
So if you are ready, let’s go!
Single Origin
Single Origin is an all-day neighborhood café that was established last 2015. Single Origin specializes in showcasing the characteristics of the coffee based on its origin. They have a handful of branches around the metro.
For the cold drinks, the best sellers are Salted Caramel Latte and Peruvian Mocha. Since I am not a fan of milk, I went and tried their Peruvian Mocha.
★★★ Taste - I am not sure about its mix but It has similar texture to a cacao/ tsokolate drink at the end of each sip – and I like it.
★★☆ Size – Only served in 1 sizing – medium size cup.
★☆☆ Price – This costs around Php220.00.
Store Info:
Website: https://singleorigin.com.ph/
Address: 2/F C3, Bonifacio High Street Central, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
eMail: hello@singleorigin.com.ph
Contact Number: +63 (906) 268-8902
2. Elephant Grounds
Elephant Grounds is an Independent micro-roaster and café concept from Hong Kong. They are known for their coffee, ice cream sandwiches and the instagram-worthy stadium seats with a Coffee 'n Chill wall as the background.
The best seller for cold drinks is Black Tie. This is Elephant Grounds’ take on the Vietnamese Coffee or the espresso with condense milk.
★★★ Taste – Love their version of the Vietnamese Coffee. You’ll still get the strong espresso taste even if it is mixed with condense milk.
★☆☆ Size – Only served in 1 sizing. Cup size is small.
★★☆ Price – This costs around Php170.00.
Store Info:
Facebook: @ElephantGroundsPH
Address: One Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, Philippines
Contact Number: 0999 887 1407
Here’s a detailed review about Elephant Grounds in BGC
3. Caravan Black Coffee
Caravan Black Coffee is a specialty coffee shop established last 2016. The shop has a vintage look, well lit and has a high ceiling. They have a brunch menu and home-made pastries. People say their Tuna Melt is a must-try!
Caravan Black Coffee’s best seller from their signature cold drinks is Cold Blonde. A cold brew with their home-made caramel and cream.
★☆☆ Taste – The Cold Blonde is more of a milky and sweet drink. The caramel and cream overpowers the taste of espresso. Don’t get me wrong, Cold Blonde is OK but I like my coffee dark. I will try their Cold S&G on my next visit J
★★☆ Size – Available in 2 sizes: 14 and 16 oz.
★★☆ Price – The costs for the small cup is Php165.00 and the bigger one is Php180.00
Store Info:
Facebook: @caravanblackcoffee
Address: Seven NEO, 4th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines
Contact Number: 0917 122 8795
4. Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters
A specialty coffee roaster from Australia that focuses on sustainability. Toby’s Estate source their coffee direct from coffee farmers around the globe. They opened their first branch in Philippines last 2014.
The best seller for a cold coffee-based drink is cold brew. Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters have 2 options for the cold brew: White and Black. Tried a large cup of the black one.
★★☆ Taste –The cold brew has a mild fruity taste.
★★☆ Size – Available in 2 sizes.
★★★ Price – The largest cup size only costs Php170.00.
Store Info:
Website: http://www.tobysestateph.com
Address: G/F Shangri-la at the Fort, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
eMail: info@tobysestateph.com
Contact Number: (02) 7617-5044
5. Coffee Academics
Coffee Academics is a well-known coffee chain from Hong Kong. They won several awards and rank first for specialty coffee last 2017. Coffee Academics opened its first branch in Philippines – a kiosk in BGC last September 2021.
Coffee Academics’ best sellers for cold coffee-based drinks are in the Latte Section - Agave and Okinawa. This is a problem since I’m not a fan of milk but since our goal is to look for the best cold coffee-based drinks, I ordered the one with lesser milk. Okinawa is a cappuccino with dark brown sugar from Okinawa, Japan.
★★★ Taste – Even if this is a latte drink, Okinawa is not sweet and the taste of espresso is still intense. I also like this one.
★☆☆ Size – Available in 1 size only. The cup is small.
★☆☆ Price – It costs Php220.00. This is also the most expensive in the list.
Store Info:
Facebook: @TCAmanila
Address: High Street South Corporate Plaza, Tower One, 26th Street cor. 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City
6. Harlan + Holden Coffee (Because Coffee)
Harlan + Holden Coffee is a coffee shop in Bonifacio High Street facing 5th Ave. I thought the shop was called “Because Coffee” but later found out that it was their tag-line. What is unique about Harlan + Holden Coffee is the self-checkout and cashless system. You can order through the iPads at the counter or via their app.
The Barista from Harlan + Holden recommended the Iced Light Sea Salt Latte. This is an iced latte with their special sea salt cream. It has 3 variations: light, medium and dark.
★★☆ Taste – I was confused by the options for the Sea Salt Latte. My plan was to go with the dark because I like a drink with more coffee but they told me to select light. True enough, the taste of the espresso overpowers the milk. Also, the sea salt cream was perfect for this drink.
★★☆ Size – Available in 1 size only - medium.
★★☆ Price – It costs Php190.00.
Store Info:
Website: http://www.harlanholden.coffee/
Facebook: harlan + holden coffee
Address: G/F One Bonifacio, Philippine Stock Exchange, 5th Avenue, BGC, Taguig.
eMail: coffee@harlanholden.com
Contact Number: 09565138877
7. Fat Seed Café + Roastery
Fat Seed Café + Roastery - a local café and roastery that started last 2018. Their 2nd branch is just a few blocks from the busy area of BGC High Street. Fat Seed Café + Roastery has a coffee roasting facility in its branch near the counter. Customers can see how they roast their own coffee. Also, the vibrant murals/ artworks on their wall really stands out.
For the cold coffee drink, the barista recommended Mestiza Cold Brew. This is cold brew with milk.
★★★ Taste – Don’t be fooled by the color of Mestiza Cold Brew. This one has bolder taste and I like it. If you like your coffee strong, this one is for you.
★★☆ Size – Available in 1 size only – medium cup.
★★★ Price – It costs Php170.00.
Store Info:
Website: http://www.thefatseedph.com/
Facebook: @thefatseedph
Address: One Maridien, 27th St. BGC
eMail: thefatseedph@gmail.com
Contact Number: +63270011862
8. Malongo Atelier Barista
Malongo Atelier Barista is a coffee roastery from France. They specializes in luxury coffee and leads in fair trade coffees and bio-coffees. Each branch do have its own coffee roasting facility. They roast their coffee in a slow, gradual and traditional method.
Malongo Atelier Barista recommended their iced coffee. This is a chilled espresso with the choice of syrup. Not sure if they added a syrup or what syrup they used since I told the barista that I prefer a coffee drink that’s not sweet.
★★★ Taste – The iced coffee has a fruity taste with a little bit of bitterness and sweetness.
★★☆ Size – Available in 2 sizes - Medium and Grande.
★★★ Price – Their Grande costs Php185.00
Store Info:
Website: https://www.malongo.com/en/
Facebook: @malongoph
Address: Ground Floor, One Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Contact Number: +63 282421953
VERDICT
My top 3 cold coffee-based drinks in BGC are Black Tie of Elephant Grounds, Okinawa of Coffee Academics and Mestiza Cold Brew of Fat Seed Café + Roastery. Do note that for Elephant Grounds and Coffee Academics, they only have a small cup for their drinks. Lastly, Coffee Academics is the most expensive in this list.
Which one’s your favorite?
NOTE: Store details and prices indicated above may change.
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