On Monday and Wednesday mornings, an inviting aroma fills the RC4 lobby. It is the signature aroma of RC4’s Coffee Interest Group as they host their biweekly coffee drive for residents. For students, this is not just a pleasant and familiar fragrance; it’s a much-needed morale boost as they gear up for a day of learning ahead.

The rich scent of freshly brewed coffee stands up strong in comparison with renowned franchise coffee chains. Not only that, but its affordability also plays a pivotal role in why their drinks are often hot in demand.

The Interest Group head for AY25/26, Megan Lee (Year 1, Political Science) begins her Coffee Drive days with a 7.30a.m breakfast before heading to TR4 – RC4’s common kitchen space - to prepare for the session. When asked about what motivates her to wake up so early twice a week for the Coffee Drive, she was excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the RC4 community. “Our customers range from students to professors who drop by before their commitments to enjoy a nice sip of coffee. Being able to give them something special to start their day right at such a convenience makes my day.” Zedd Chia (Year 2, Psychology) is a frequent customer of the Coffee Drive and he “always looks forward to coffee drives because it helps me get the day started right.”

This was corroborated by Sarah Ho (Year 2, Business Administration), who was part of the RC4 Coffee EXCO previously. She was the Training Head and took responsibility for the planning of weekly activities such as Latte Art and manual brew. “Being able to make drinks for people like my friends, to fellow residents and even professors is a way for me to give back to the RC4 community which had given me so much.” Sarah’s favourite aspect of Coffee Drive would be “seeing regular customers and making their usual go-to drinks, seeing a smile on their faces.”

Sarah, dressed in black, guiding juniors during a RC4 Coffee session.

Sarah shared that the Coffee Drive initiative started back in 2016 when our RC4 seniors noticed that residents needed a quick caffeine fix before heading to class. “It’s not just a simple cup of coffee; it’s also a cup filled with memories from RC4.” Behind the simple cup of coffee lies hours of work behind-the-scenes; from buying the ingredients to recipe testing and calibration of recipe.

Boasting a modernistic, Café-esque menu with weekly special drinks, RC4 Coffee offers cheap alternatives to the famous coffee brands as the price ranges from an affordable $1.70 to $3. Their menu caters to varying tastes – be it needing a caffeine boost or for someone craving something sweet in the morning. The Strawberry Matcha Latte recently introduced proved to be a hit, being one of the most popular drinks of their Drive!

Hot in Demand: RC4 Coffee’s latest Strawberry Matcha!

In Sarah’s words, RC4 Coffee “is a place where you can make new friends that become familiar faces you see around RC4 while exploring the fun of coffee-making” and can also fulfil childhood dreams of becoming a cool barista! Megan, the new IG Head, shared her sentiments and envisioned RC4 Coffee to be a fun and inclusive Interest Group for everyone, be it experienced or beginners, to learn a new skill and interact with other residents of similar interests.

With more surprise drinks ready to make their debut in the upcoming Coffee Drives, you do not want to give it a miss! Affordable and tasty, RC4 Coffee Drive is always ready to serve on Monday and Wednesday mornings!