The ‘Premier’s Vanilla Latte’ and the 3W Coffee Logo That Went Viral

When China’s Premier Li Keqiang walked into 3W Coffee in Beijing, the staff didn’t know it would spark a nationwide coffee trend. What started as a routine service for high-profile guests turned into a social media phenomenon after the Premier ordered a vanilla latte—with the café’s logo added especially for the occasion. Within hours, the same coffee sold out. Here’s how it happened, what was in the cup, and why the logo became the day’s most-shared image.

The Premier drank a vanilla latte, and after five tries, the staff finally served the version he accepted. The coffee quickly sold out by noon, then went back on sale in the afternoon. The 3W logo, normally only made for special requests, was added just for this visit—and it went viral.

What Happened When the Premier Visited 3W Coffee

On the day of the visit, Premier Li Keqiang arrived at around 10:00 a.m. and stayed for roughly ten minutes. He first sat at a central table on the first floor, chatting over coffee, then moved upstairs to speak with employees from Lagou.com, a job recruitment platform. Lagou’s founder, Ma Delong, explained details about the company while wearing a dark blue T-shirt with green lettering. The three co-founders of 3W Coffee—Xu Dandan, Bao Aile, and Ma Delong—along with staff from Sequoia Capital accompanied the Premier. Co-founder Xu Dandan also introduced the entrepreneurial portraits displayed on the wall.

How the Staff Prepared the Premier’s Vanilla Latte

Three baristas, all born in the 1990s, prepared the coffee. They revealed that they initially weren’t sure the Premier was coming—they were told only three days in advance that important guests would visit, so they did some light preparation, like putting up Lagou signage. The group made a total of around fifteen cups for the delegation. For the Premier, they tried five times before the sixth cup met their standards and was served. The baristas admitted the first few attempts didn’t satisfy them.

The 3W Logo and Its Unexpected Fame

Although 3W Coffee typically adds its logo to drinks only upon special request, the team decided to include the 3W logo on the Premier’s vanilla latte. That simple addition turned into a social media sensation—customers flooded the café after the visit, asking specifically for the “Premier’s coffee with the 3W logo.” The drink featuring the logo sold out by around 11:00–12:00 a.m. but was restocked by 3:00 p.m. and went back on sale. Staff described the Premier as approachable and similar to his public image.

Why This Coffee Order Went Viral

The combination of a high-profile visitor, a customised coffee order, and a small but meaningful detail—the addition of the 3W logo—turned a regular coffee run into a moment of national interest. The drink wasn’t fancy or complicated, but its association with the Premier and the café’s branding made it shareable. Customers wanted to experience the same thing, leading to the quick sell-out and subsequent restocking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of coffee did Premier Li Keqiang drink at 3W Coffee?

Premier Li Keqiang drank a vanilla latte. It was the only specific drink mentioned, and the staff prepared around fifteen cups for the group, with the Premier’s being the sixth attempt that met their approval.

How many times did the baristas try before serving the Premier?

The baristas made the vanilla latte five times before the sixth cup was considered good enough to serve to the Premier. They were not satisfied with the earlier attempts.

Did the 3W Coffee logo appear on the Premier’s cup?

Yes, the 3W logo was added to the Premier’s vanilla latte, even though the café typically only adds logos upon special request. This made the drink stand out and contributed to its viral popularity.

What happened after the Premier left 3W Coffee?

Shortly after the Premier left, the “Premier’s vanilla latte” with the 3W logo sold out between 11:00 and 12:00 a.m. The café restocked the drink by 3:00 p.m., and it went back on sale to meet customer demand.

What did the 3W Coffee staff think of the Premier?

The staff described the Premier as very approachable and similar to how he appears on television. They found him friendly and down-to-earth during the brief visit.

How long did the Premier stay at 3W Coffee?

The Premier stayed at 3W Coffee for approximately ten minutes. He spent time on both the first and second floors, speaking with different groups during his brief visit.

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