Welcome to Saigon, the city that wakes up a bit too soon and goes to sleep a bit too late.
If I had to use 3 words, and 3 words only, to describe a city full of curiosities like Saigon, perhaps they would be vibrant, modern and fun.
To reflect the energy the city gives off, like an unspoken agreement, Cà Phê Sữa Đá is seen by many to be a signature drink that carries all of the qualities that Saigon has to offer. And it indeed does.
Fun
If you want a quick coffee fix and an authentic experience of drinking coffee like a true Saigonese simultaneously, Cà Phê Sữa Đá, or any type of Vietnamese coffee for that matter, will not be the one you're looking for.
In Saigon, coffee is a waiting game in which every one gets to be a winner. On top of your cup sits the filter (phin in Vietnamese) that slowly extracts your coffee, drop by drop. It feels rewarding, to see the filter drained of water and a glass full of that aromatic caffeinated liquid slowly seeping into the thick layer of sweetened condensed milk at the bottom of the glass.
The waiting, the mixing, the ice pouring. It sounds like a chore, yet it is never a bore for that cup you're about to drink is going to be different than the last cup that you had. You're in charge of making your own coffee, and there's always some fun found in the art of handcrafting.
Vibrant
Flavours don't come mild in this city of 12 million people. And Cà Phê Sữa Đá shows exactly just that.
Rich, creamy and bitingly sweet, the flavours flood in your mouth, creating this sensational experience that is so uniquely tropical, uniquely vibrant, uniquely Saigon.
Modern
At 96B Experiment, our signature drink is inspired by the classic Cà Phê Sữa Đá, added with our own twist.
Consisting of a double shot of our espresso blend, heavy cream, whole cream milk foam and vanilla syrup, the 96B Cà Phê Sữa Đá creates the modern touch of something traditional without taking away the familiarity of this beloved drink.
Our signature drink has less of that bitter taste, smoky, sometimes almost charcoal-like, aroma found in a lot of cups across the city and more of that creamy, milky texture that makes you crave for more.
Cà Phê Sữa Đá is not just a drink. It is a habit, a lifestyle and a way of life. To enjoy it is to recognise the city. To love it means you're already in love with Saigon. And I can't blame you. This city is truly something.
