DRIFT MAGAZINE

DRIFT - a magazine about coffee and the cities we live - and drink it in. 

ISSUE #13 / BERLIN

Through centuries of war and decades of socialist strife, Berlin has been a crucible for much of European history. But out of its struggles, the city has emerged as the capital of one of the continent’s strongest economies as well as an exciting epicenter of modern-day counterculture. And at the intersection of Berlin’s bohemian neighborhoods, indie music scene, and exploding start-up community are the many coffeehouses, roasteries, and cafes that dot the city. This issue surveys some of these dynamic meeting places and spaces that Berlin offers to locals and visitors alike. 

Drift Volume 13 explores the kiezkultur—the neighbourhood culture—of Berlin. The German capital has become a magnet for young creatives from all over the world, making it one of the most vibrant metropolises of Europe. Welcomed by local Berliners, this multinational cast made its home in every corner of the city, bringing to these neighbourhoods unique perspectives and new purposes, as well as the third wave of coffee. From Oderbergerstrasse in Kollwitzkiez to Friedelstrasse in Reuterkiez, these pages introduce the many people and places that make Berlin not only an exciting place to be creative but, because of that, an increasingly better place to drink coffee.

Drift, Volume 13 includes:

• A Dutchman, bored of his career in advertising, moves to Berlin, opens one of city’s longest-running roasters and earns the nickname the “Probat whisperer.”
• Enjoying kaffeklatch—coffee chat—at three Berlin cafes, where you can indulge your sweet tooth along with an afternoon pick-me-up.
• In Neukölln, coffee shops are finding their way to sustainability and zero waste.
• A march through history, from the days of the Prussian empire through the Cold War, and into the modern-day cafes in the old tenement blocks of a city divided.
• Once a gathering place for German Jews, coffee shops have, once again, become an important home for Berlin’s Jewish culture.
• Remembering an airfield that saved Berliners in the winter of 1948. Can it be relevant again today?
• And more…

VOLUME #12 : PARIS

"As one of the most recognizable backdrops in the world, Paris is a globally celebrated lookbook of quaint vignettes and glittering excess. Perhaps more than any other city in the world, it is the visual yardstick by which all others are measured. But this treasured gem is multifaceted, offering more than just the well-worn patina of emperors and flâneurs."

VOLUME #11 : LOS ANGELES

"From sunny beaches and high mountainscapes to boulevards lined with palm trees and a dense urban core, we criss-cross this sprawling cradle of pop culture to bring you stories of a rapidly diversifying coffee scene. From the history and lore of Hollywood, to a growing awareness of social justice issues—and, of course, a prolonged pandemic—we take a look at how coffee and Los Angeles have grown together over decades."

 VOLUME #10 : MANHATTAN

"Manhattan, an international capital of culture and finance, runs on coffee. As a pandemic sweeps the globe, we survey this incredibly diverse metropolis and hear from voices and neighborhoods that have both withstood as well as adapted to the times."

VOLUME #9 : BALI

"Once a hideaway haunt for yogis and surfers, this tropical destination in the world’s largest archipelago nation has become a hotspot for a wide range of visitors, from coffee purveyors to nomadic techies and itinerant bon vivants. And the new global trade winds they bring to the Indonesian island offer fresh perspectives on its cash crop coffee, as well as an increasingly international sense of style. A burgeoning third wave of coffee has narrowed the proximity between coffee farmer and consumer in Bali, presenting new opportunities for collaboration and education—what one author posits as the fourth wave of coffee."

VOLUME #8 : LONDON

"The British capital has become an unlikely hotbed for a rapidly evolving coffee scene, absorbing diverse influences from its increasingly diverse citizenry. Home to deeply entrenched tea culture, the development of the city mirrors the development of its booming coffee scene. As the younger generation welcomes coffee traditions from Brooklyn, Melbourne, Turkey, and more, London, home of the royal family, iconic red phone booths, and double-decker buses, grapples with its identity."

VOLUME #3 : HAVANA

"This issue contains stories about Havana, its coffee, and the people who drink it. For our third issue, we hear from dozens of locals, shop owners, roasters, historians, patrons, entrepreneurs, writers, and photographers about what it’s like to drink coffee in Havana. The capital city is fueled by strong, sweet coffee made from beans grown in the Cuban mountains and served at home—or downed in tiny ceramic cups residents sell from their windowsills. Meanwhile, international players see opportunity brewing to open more cafes like the city’s two state-owned roasters."