By Stefanie Ellis
Photograph by Danny Elchert
Grown-ups have always had the good fortune of fun drinks. We get martinis, frozen drinks with umbrellas in them and all kinds of libations that you can set on fire. Our drinks have fun names, and some even have stuff floating in them—chocolate shavings, plump olives, bright-red cherries. Grown-ups always look as if they’re having a ton of fun drinking these colorful and kooky beverages, and, for years, kids everywhere were jealous ... until bubble tea came along.
A smoothie, latte and fruit drink all rolled into one, bubble tea is a nonalcoholic, milk- or tea-based drink to which fresh fruits or flavored powders and sweetener have been added. Flavorings can be as traditional as strawberry, banana and honeydew or as exotic as starfruit, kumquat and red bean.
Originally named for the frothy bubbles that resulted after flavoring and tea were hand-shaken, bubble tea is usually associated with the boba—edible pea-sized pearls with a gummy texture—that float about in the cup. Other typical add-ins include taro, chocolate pudding and little cubes of coconut jelly. Bubble tea is always served with a fat straw so that everything can be slurped up all at once.
Where you can find it …
Chi (formerly Cha Yoon Sushi and Elixir Tea Bar)
4 N. Euclid, 314-367-2209
Pearl Express
6677 Delmar, 314-862-2890
Sho Me Bubble Tea
West County Centre, 314-909-9057
