The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is celebrating its 63rd anniversary with the return of its Black Forest Mocha Ice Blended, limited edition merchandise and creative activities for customers.
We attended the brand’s anniversary celebration at Bugis Junction last week, where we got to customise our own tote bag, create a cassette tape with a recorder to take home and sample two drinks, the Original Black Forest Mocha Ice Blended with Original Whipped Cream and another one with Chocolate-Flavoured Whipped Cream, alongside its signature Homestyle Carrot Cake and new Mini Basque Burnt Cheesecake.
Founded in Southern California in 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has grown into a global coffee and tea chain known for its handcrafted beverages and signature Ice Blended drinks. For its latest anniversary, the brand is looking back at familiar favourites while giving customers opportunities to personalise merchandise and take part in creative activities.
One of the main highlights is the return of the Black Forest Mocha Ice Blended, a limited time drink inspired by the classic Black Forest cake. It combines mocha with maraschino cherries and chocolate coated espresso beans, topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls. You can choose between the original whipped cream and a new chocolate flavoured version.
It was walk down memory lane for me as I sipped on the two Mocha Iced Blended. The anniversary celebration brought back memories of my junior college days when I would stay up late studying and grab a mocha ice blended as a little indulgence. It was one of my favourite drinks back then, and having it again brought me straight back to those bittersweet days of burning the midnight oil.
There is something comforting about revisiting a familiar drink after so many years. While coffee trends and new flavours come and go, some old favourites remain associated with particular moments in our lives. In this case, the iced mocha was a reminder of a simpler time, alongside the casette tape recorder and all.
We also sampled Coffee Bean’s signature Homestyle Carrot Cake and its new Mini Basque Burnt Cheesecake. The Homestyle Carrot Cake is a familiar café choice for those who enjoy having something to eat alongside their coffee.
The Mini Basque Burnt Cheesecake offers something different, with its deeply browned surface and creamy centre. Its smaller format also makes it a convenient option for those who want a sweet treat without committing to a whole full size cheesecake.
The anniversary celebration was not limited to food and drinks. One of the more enjoyable activities was customising our own canvas tote bag. The anniversary merchandise comes with a set of three stick on patches featuring artist designed artwork. Customers can personalise their bags according to their own tastes, making each one a little different.
The collection features 18 designs, with new patches released weekly while stocks last. Customers who spend S$30 or more in a single in store receipt can receive a free limited edition anniversary canvas tote bag with three patches. The first week’s designs were fully redeemed, while the second batch became available from 20 October. Six new designs will be released each week through the end of October.
Coffee Bean has also introduced its Scribble On napkin contest, encouraging customers to draw, write or doodle on its napkins before sharing their creations on Instagram. Participants stand a chance to win a S$63 Coffee Bean e gift card. The contest closes on 23 October 2026.
Overall, Coffee Bean’s 63rd anniversary celebration was a pleasant mix of familiar flavours, new experiences and nostalgia. The Black Forest Mocha Ice Blended is a welcome return for fans of the chocolate and cherry combination, while the cakes provide familiar accompaniments for a café visit.
Visit the official website for more details.
