Drink Tea @ The Podium

I have a love for milk tea that has me trying many brands like Serenitea, Cha Time and Gong Cha . I recently heard that a milk tea shop had opened at The Podium called Drink Tea, I guess from the name alone, you know what they want you to do. Drink Tea is another import from the land of milk tea, Taiwan. Situated in a mall that I hardly frequent, I had to plan an excuse for an trip there. Good thing, we were going there to pick up a piece of luggage we had repaired at the Samsonite service center.

We went to the Podium after dinner on a Saturday night intent on trying Drink Tea, but got sidetracked when Irene wanted to check out ice cream offerings from Sebastian’s. We actually ended up eating 1 dive bar there, that story is for another time, so we only had room to share 1 large drink.

Drink Tea’s main difference among the milk tea shops that I’ve tried before is actually trumpeted loudly in their menu board, its their use of roselle pearl. Roselle is a species of Hibiscus, that is touted to have many medicinal uses.  The roselle pearl give a noticeable pink shade to the pearls which are usually black. The roselle pearls do not contain any preservatives and coloring, so it should technically contribute to a healthier drink.

Since we were only getting one drink, we decided to order their Pearl Milk Tea (P90/large), which uses their Best Chosen Milk Tea then just adds the roselle pearls.  We ordered it with normal sugar and ice, the way we have it in other tea places we frequent.

It really takes a while to get used to the pink roselle pearls but after a taste I did not mind anymore. The pearls were chewy and just the right size, but the main difference is the pearls have a bit of sweetness. The sweetness is welcome, and I later find out that this is because they are dipped in honey syrup. The milk tea is also very similar to other places’ Okinawa, its just Drink Tea’s version is a lighter in color. The tea taste was strong and matched the tea taste very well.

The two staff on duty, wearing their nice military like uniform, were very fast, what a refreshing change. Drink Tea offers something different, the key to surviving this deluge of milk tea, where each shop has to do something to differentiate itself. I can’t really say if all their other drinks are good since I’ve only had one but I’m really intrigued with the Tomato and Roselle drink they have on the menu, said to be made with pureed tomatoes. I’m hoping they open in some places I frequent so I can try more.

So if ever you frequent the Podium, you might one to give Drink Tea a sip.

Drink Tea

5th Floor, The Podium
12 ADB Avenue,
Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong

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