Blue Bottle Coffee

Location: 1 Rockefeller Plaza, Concourse Level, Suite D

The Blue Bottle Coffee located within Rockefeller Center is something of a secret in itself. Tucked away in a lightly trafficked corner of the complex, the shop is typically overlooked by mouth breathing out of towners who prefer a triple whipped fructose latte from Starbucks to a well crafted macchiato. 

That doesn’t mean the spot doesn’t get busy (pro tip: hit it before the midday rush that erupts between 1pm and 5pm) but even in-the-know coffee connoisseurs don’t know every mystery Blue Bottle holds. Luckily store manager, Brett Garrett invited us behind the counter and delivered the download on the top secret Gibraltar.

The Gibraltar

What it is: A double shot of espresso with steamed milk served in a clear Gibraltar glass. The milk’s temperature (about 130 F) is about ten degrees lower than typical Blue Bottle cappuccino or latte. Why? The drink is meant to be consumed in house and pleasing to hold in hand.

What we think: A fantastic mid afternoon pick-me-up. Don’t wait too long to drink this one though — the foamed milk gets a little flat after only a few minutes.

Inside info: The Gibraltar — or Gibby — is the result of a quick thinking barista. A few years ago a barista at the Hayes Valley Blue Bottle was tinkering with milk and coffee levels in a Gibraltar glass. A customer glanced over and asked “what’s that?” Without hesitation the barista replied “That’s the Gibraltar” and served it to him. The drink proved so popular that it became Blue Bottle’s signature off menu item. “Only about five to ten percent of people know about it,” says Garrett.

Written by: Danny Dumas
Photos by: Jon Snyder