If In Jaipur, Shut Your Eyes And Head To Carbon For A Caffeine Kick

There is a certain way people in Jaipur dine: most outings are planned around a particular dish from a certain restaurant where families have been dining for decades. Jaipurites are not very risk-taking diners. However, this year they seem to be changing how they approach food and, more importantly, coffee. Had you asked me even last year about the role of coffee in Jaipur’s outings, I would call it an ancillary character who only fills gaps. However, today, coffee is becoming the beverage many Pink City dwellers step out for.

Today, everyone in Jaipur has a favourite coffee shop, and most of them have their order by heart. That does not mean that they are not open to trying newer destinations that could change their favourite.

So, on the coffee front, Jaipur seems to be on the right track and a spot that entered the world of coffee much before the city was exposed to it is Carbon. Founded by Ronak Maheshwari, the coffee destination opened its first outpost in C-Scheme in 2022 and today has expanded to three outlets across the city.

Today, it is serving some of the best concoctions in the city. “We started in a very chaotic market and one of the things we did to stand apart was bring coffee mixology to Jaipur,” said Maheshwari. They paired coffee (the base) with unique ingredients to create one-of-a-kind sips. This way they were able to cater to all kinds of coffee drinkers in Jaipur. “Apart from those who were ready to risk their coffee and those who wanted to play it safe, we were aiming to cater to an audience that was drinking the beverage for fun,” added Maheshwari.

Today, Maheshwari mentions, they are expanding in a crowded market where everyone wants to open a coffee destination. “In that kind of a market, we are trying to stick to our core values while experimenting and trying out trends,” Maheshwari said.

For me, their coffees and coffee mocktails were a gateway into Jaipur’s coffee space that is only growing and evolving with every passing day.

The Coffee Selection At Carbon

At every cafe, I step into my coffee journey with an Iced Americano. It is almost like it is the cover through which I judge the rest of the book. You could also consider it my way of warming up for the caffeine overload I am about to undergo. I kept up with the ritual at Carbon, too, and their iced americano is a banger. With my spirits uplifted, I was now reading the menu with greater expectations.

I headed straight to the Coffee Mixology section, which is Carbon’s attempt to experiment with flavours and ingredients. My first pick was the Sky Mint Latte, which has earned praises from regulars. And I get the hype. Otherwise, featuring regular milk, an espresso shot, and ice, the blue pea, paired with mint leaves, spruces up every sip. I am not even close to being a slow sipper. I could gulp down my drinks even before the food arrived. And with notes of blue pea and the freshness of mint leaves paired with the bitterness of the espresso shot, this one tops my list from the afternoon. However, if you like your coffee strong, you might want to request two espresso shots instead of one.

Tiramisu Latte and Caramel Sea Salt Latte at Carbon, Jaipur Carbon

Next up was the Tiramisu Iced Latte. Again, a dessert more than a drink, this one was decadent but sweeter than my preference. It felt like you were eating a more commercial version of the classic tiramisu, where the coffee, rather than the mascarpone, is the star. However, the Jamun Iced tonic is worth a second order if you like your espresso to be present without taking over the drink. At first, I thought it was more of a mocktail than coffee because the tonic water was overpowering the espresso shot by miles. I would have preferred a double espresso shot with that amount of tonic water. But what you must pick from the drink is that jamun pulp, tonic water, and espresso shots make for a rather delicious sip. Do try at home, if you may.

My two words to the barista at Carbon would be to place more trust in their coffee. Experimenting with ingredients is great, but if it washes away your coffee, it totally defeats the point. My assumption is that they are trying to tailor their drinks to the Jaipur diner, who is still evolving in their understanding of coffee as something beyond cold coffee and cappuccino. But it is only when cafes take charge and challenge their diners that the evolution will accelerate. Carbon, being an old player in Pink City’s coffee space, must take that charge.

I would highly recommend against their Lavender and Rose Latte. It makes little sense to place two aromatic and flavour-forward ingredients in the same glass. With every sip, you will find one competing with the other. And overall, coffee with rose and lavender is not a good idea for me.

Matcha is picking up in Jaipur faster than craft cocktails are. Every house now has one strong fan of the Japanese green tea. From cloud kitchens to cafes, matcha is the talk of the town. I tried the Coconut Matcha Cream At Carbon and felt it was average. You are likely to find much better ones in the city.

The menu also features a range of coolers, craft mocktails, shakes, and smoothie bowls. I highly recommend you try their coffee because they are trying to do things differently, but if you wish to play it safe, then their coolers are done well.