Big Short Coffee: Specialty coffee that delivers on flavour and aesthetics

Specialty coffee has always been popular, but we just can’t get enough of a good cuppa that’s also a feast for our eyes. Big Short Coffee is a new coffee joint in Joo Chiat that will give you just that. 

It puts a creative spin on coffee concoctions by mixing techniques from molecular gastronomy, cocktail making and even some techniques from science labs, such as clarified milk or flavoured foams and bubbles.

The cafe also sets itself apart by tying its coffee to the different seasons: Summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Though Singapore only experiences one season all year round, Big Short Coffee will transport you to a different time and place with its lavishly made drinks.

Its summer menu is currently ongoing, which features seven different, delicious brews to suit everyone — you’ll feel right at home whether you’re a coffee connoisseur, a straight-up caffeine junkie, a frappe-only person or coffee newbie. 

Big Short Coffee launched recently, in late July, and has already gotten a ton of eyeballs on social media — we definitely recommend getting there early to beat the post-lunch caffeine-hunting crowd! 

When we visited the cafe before the long National Day weekend, the cosy cafe was already teeming with coffee lovers and those looking to get Insta-worthy photo ops with their drinks. 

The cafe also has limited seating options, with only a handful of bar counter seats and some wooden stools placed along the glass windows on both the inside and outside of the cafe. 

All these add to the cosy and intimate conviviality of the cafe, though! As you mill about waiting for your order, you could strike up a conversation with the friendly owners as they make your drinks, almost as though you’re at a housewarming party with your closest friends.

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Big Short Coffee’s Summer Menu

If you’re wondering where to even begin, we’ve got you covered.

Big Short Coffee recommends starting with the lightest drink and working your way up, leaving the richer or sweeter drinks for last. 

This will help you better appreciate the taste and nuances of each drink, which might be lost if you go from a decadent, stronger tasting blend to a lighter, more refreshing one. Well, this probably applies more to those who’d like to try multiple items in a single setting, though. But trust us when we say that once you’ve had your first cuppa, you’ll want to get another. 

To start us off, we tried its highly raved about Happy Valley Punch (S$8.50), an espresso-blend with blood orange, bergamot, earl grey and clarified coconut milk — a technique that separates milk solids from the liquid, leaving you with a translucent milk liquid. 

This drink sees an almost ruby-red hue in the sun with crunchy coconut flakes sprinkled atop — it is a visual delight that also invigorates after a long day in the sun. The tartness from the blood orange and bergamot cuts through the sharp acidity of coffee, which made it an enjoyable drink to sip on.

For those who love both coffee and tea, this next one will steal your heart. Bus Uncle (S$8), an exquisite brew with three layers — osmanthus tea, fresh watermelon juice, and a cold-brew of beans from Fazenda Samambaia in Brazil, with a drizzle of coastal wildflower rare honey. It is then topped with a veritable cloud of ginger bubbles and garnished with a dash of pink peppercorn. 

The bubbles fizzle out fast, so do get your Instagram shot in when it’s freshly made. If you’re looking for the ultimate experience, grab a straw and taste each layer on its own before mixing them together for a sip of pure joy — a saccharine sweetness that isn’t overly cloying, combined with a thin, earthy coffee mouthfeel.

The next one to go for is Big Short Coffee’s Bee’s Knees (S$8), another Fazenda Samambaia cold-brew blend — this time with fresh strawberry puree, pine nut caramel, coastal wildflower rare honey and fresh honeycomb. 

It’s a unique combination that’s nutty with a hint of spice, complemented by a mellow sweetness that leaves you wanting more. The deep, blush-coloured brew comes with a single square block of ice to preserve its slightly thicker body and is topped with its housemade honeycomb, much like a tropical tipple that won’t be amiss in your favourite cocktail bar.

If you’re looking for another nutty drink that’s more familiar, go for Young Harry (S$8) — a Guerrero Santos Walter cold-brew with jasmine green tea, raw fresh coconut water and an indulgent layer of pistachio roasted pistachio cream. It also features corn flowers as the garnish and makes for a delectable eye candy. 

Savour the cream and the flavoured coconut water before stirring it all together — you’ll get a taste of its fragrant pistachio cream that’s rich (but not too heavy) and slightly salty. It creates a perfect harmony with the honeyed tea-infused coffee and coconut water. (This was too addictive to put down!)

For those who are not big coffee drinkers and love sweet treats, Big Short Coffee’s rendition of an Italian crema al caffe (S$8) will be your go-to drink — it features the cafe’s signature espresso blend with fresh and condensed milk, brown sugar, vanilla bean, and almond & hazelnut pralines. 

This blend is thick, creamy and crunchy all at once, and best enjoyed with a spoon instead of a straw. It’s almost as if we’re having coffee-flavoured ice cream with sweet, nutty toppings — pure bliss on a hot summer day. 

Not quite feeling a decadent caffeine boost? Big Short Coffee also has a slew of your favourite average joes, ranging from a regular espresso (S$4.50), black (from S$5) and white (from S$6) coffee, mocha (from S$6.50) and more. Its prices are also inclusive of GST and service charges, so you can enjoy your cuppa without the fuss!

For more coffee treats, read about the newest Hideout Coffee Bar at Paya Lebar or check out Greybox Coffee at UE Square. Alternatively, check out the newest openings in Singapore here. 

Do explore the GrabFood Dine Out service for awesome deals.

You can also book a ride to Big Short Coffee to try its artisan coffee.