Sweet Horse’s Fancy Orange Green Tea with popping boba has been offered since the store opened in January this year. The drink is a fresh, unique take on the more traditional milk-based bubble tea. While the drink may not overtake the popularity of the classic bubble tea, it’s a welcoming alternative for those who aren’t fond of the traditional beverage, or who simply seek adventure.  

     A blend of green tea that is steeped in house, orange syrup and fresh orange slices, the fancy tea’s combination of sweet citrus with a hint of bitterness makes for a refreshing drinking experience. The owner of Sweet Horse, Hu Ge Jun, also known as Grace, said this unconventional combination of flavors is something customers are initially hesitant to try, but that many have found pleasantly surprising. In recent weeks, she said the specialty drink has even become one of their most popular items.

     As is true for all bubble tea shops, Sweet Horse customers can choose from a list of toppings to add to their drink, but for this particular beverage, Ge Jun recommends something specific: Popping boba. As opposed to the traditional tapioca boba which are the “bubbles” of “bubble tea,” popping boba are more like actual bubbles, filled with juice and bursting when bitten into. Literally popping in your mouth, the concentrated sweetness of the boba juice manages to enhance the modest sweetness of the fancy tea without overpowering the overall flavor. Not to mention, they just make the drink more entertaining.

     One potential fault of the tea is the large quantity of orange slices packed into the cup, which can be an irritating obstacle when sipping up the popping boba resting at the bottom with your straw. The good news is one simply has to ask for fewer orange slices.