Geowin’s search for the world’s best kopi continues with coffee number 14: an iced latte from % Arabica at 56 Arab Street, Singapore.

The challenge had just produced its first S-tier result at Alchemist, which meant the standard was now higher than ever. % Arabica had to follow the strongest coffee encountered in the series so far, but its iced latte still managed to leave a positive impression.

The coffee was already well-balanced before anything was added. After Geowin poured in Kopi-O, it became slightly sweeter and received a final score of eight out of ten, placing % Arabica securely in the A-tier.

Coffee Number 14 at % Arabica

Geowin began the episode outside % Arabica’s Arab Street outlet, introducing the next stop in her mission to try 100 coffees across Singapore.

Inside, she ordered an iced latte. The drink cost S$8.40, making it one of the more expensive coffees featured in the series so far.

The café’s bright, minimalist interior placed much of the attention on the coffee-making process. Geowin watched as the drink was prepared behind the counter before receiving it in the brand’s familiar brown cup.

Once the iced latte was ready, she delivered the phrase that has become part of every World’s Best Kopi episode:

“We got the goods!”

The S$8.40 price created fairly high expectations. At that price, the coffee needed to offer more than a generic mixture of espresso and milk. Fortunately for % Arabica, Geowin’s first response was immediately positive.

A Balanced Iced Latte From the Start

Before tasting the coffee, Geowin noticed something else she liked: the straw.

“I like their straw,” she said.

It was a small detail, but one that added to the overall experience. The simple wooden-style straw suited the cup and gave % Arabica an early plus point before the proper tasting had even begun.

After stirring the iced latte, Geowin took her first sip. Her response suggested that the drink had achieved something several earlier entries had struggled to find: balance.

“It’s not too sweet and not too bland,” she explained.

That description placed the iced latte comfortably between two common problems. It did not suffer from the lack of flavour that had held back Twenty Grammes, but it also avoided becoming overly sweet or heavy.

Geowin gave the untouched coffee an initial score of seven out of ten.

That meant % Arabica was already an A-tier contender before the second round. Unlike coffees that depended on Geowin’s addition to escape an average or disappointing score, this iced latte worked well by itself.

At S$8.40, the price remained high, but the coffee at least delivered a more complete and enjoyable first impression than several other premium café drinks in the series.

Explore Singapore One Drink at a Time

The World’s Best Kopi challenge is only one part of Singapore’s wider beverage story. Readers can discover more coffee, tea and cocktail features through The Drink Journal, learn about the publication through its About page, and explore the beverage projects developed by Destination Beverage.

Geowin Does It Her Way Again

Once the original iced latte had received its score, Geowin moved on to the second tasting.

The mysterious bottle was no longer mysterious. After revealing it during the Alchemist episode, Geowin once again showed that she was adding Kopi-O coffee liqueur to the drink.

“Now you know the drill. Time to do it my way.”

Kopi-O, created by Studio Origin, had already produced very different results throughout the series. In some coffees, it supplied flavour that had been missing. In others, it complemented an already strong drink.

At % Arabica, the effect was fairly restrained.

After adding the coffee liqueur and tasting the drink again, Geowin said that it had become slightly sweeter. The original balance remained intact, and she still considered the coffee good.

Rather than completely transforming the iced latte, Kopi-O gave it a modest lift.

Readers interested in why the liqueur works naturally with coffee can explore what sets Kopi-O apart in a crowded world of coffee liqueurs.

% Arabica Receives Eight Out of Ten

Geowin raised the final score from seven to eight out of ten.

That placed % Arabica firmly in the A-tier, alongside several of the strongest coffees featured in the challenge.

The result was earned through consistency rather than a dramatic comeback. The untouched coffee was already enjoyable, with a balanced flavour that was neither too bland nor too sweet. Adding Kopi-O made it slightly sweeter and improved the score by one point without changing the fundamental character of the drink.

That separates % Arabica from coffees that began with scores of four or five before being lifted into a higher tier. This iced latte did not need to be repaired. It simply became a little better.

The S$8.40 price may still be a consideration for anyone comparing it with less expensive options around Singapore. However, Geowin’s reaction showed that the coffee itself delivered enough flavour and balance to avoid feeling ordinary.

A Strong Coffee, but Alchemist Remains Ahead

% Arabica became another successful Arab Street stop, but it could not displace Alchemist from the top of the rankings.

Alchemist remains the only S-tier coffee with its nine-out-of-ten result. % Arabica’s eight placed it one point behind, making it an excellent A-tier entry rather than a new leader.

Still, there was plenty to like. The iced latte was balanced from the beginning, the straw earned an unexpected plus point, and the addition of Kopi-O made the drink slightly sweeter without overwhelming it.

For coffee number 14, that was enough to secure one of the stronger results in the series.

Send Geowin to Coffee Number 15

There are still 86 coffees left in the search. Follow the continuing journey through The Drink Journal and nominate the Singapore café, kopitiam or hawker stall that deserves the next place on the World’s Best Kopi list.