Taiwan Drinks Elevated | From Street Culture to Skyline Aesthetic
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From the global bubble tea phenomenon to refined tea, coffee, and cocktail culture, discover how Taiwan has evolved from a hand-shaken drinks powerhouse into a unique and sophisticated drinking aesthetic.
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Taiwan’s drinking culture stands out globally for both its density and creativity. From hand-shaken drink shops on street corners to elegant tasting bars in high-rise buildings, from bubble tea to specialty coffee, Taiwanese people’s passion for beverages has shaped a distinctive culinary landscape.
On the 86th floor of Taipei 101, A Joy’s Drink Bar breaks away from traditional restaurant drink counters. Tea, alcohol, and coffee are presented through three independent yet interconnected bars. Through collaborations with Ran Ran Tea, Perry’s Palate, and Simple Kaffa, A Joy creates a level of beverage experience found nowhere else.
This is not merely about serving drinks. It represents the elevation of Taiwan’s drink culture—from everyday street-level hand-shaken drinks to refined presentations at skyline height.
1. Bubble Tea: From Taiwan to the World
Bubble tea, once a local street-side innovation, has transformed into a worldwide obsession—reshaping global beverage culture while continually elevating itself at home.
The Birth of Bubble Tea
In the 1980s, Chun Shui Tang in Taichung and Hanlin Tea Room in Tainan independently pioneered early versions of bubble tea. The combination of chewy pearls and rich milk tea was innovative at the time and has since become a cultural symbol of Taiwan.
The enduring appeal of bubble tea lies not only in flavor, but in how it is consumed. Thick straws, transparent cups, and the ability to drink on the go transformed beverages from a seated ritual into part of mobile urban life.
Evolution & Fine Dining Elevation
Since the 2000s, bubble tea and Taiwan’s hand-shaken drinks brands have expanded globally, creating trends across Japan, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.
Yet bubble tea was only the beginning. Brown sugar pearl milk, cheese foam tea, fruit teas, and fresh milk teas have risen in waves over the years. The density of hand-shaken drink shops in Taiwan is astonishing—on many Taipei street corners, two or three shops operate side by side. Brands such as 50 Lan, Ching Shin, CoCo, and Milkshop each have devoted followings and signature formulas.
A Joy’s collaboration with Ran Ran Tea produced the Red Oolong Pearl Milk Tea, elevating hand-shaken drinks to a new level. Using Red Oolong from Luye in Taitung and premium fresh milk, the drink preserves the chewy texture of white pearls while offering greater depth in tea aroma and dairy quality.
This is a dialogue between street culture and fine dining: preserving collective memories while raising every standard.
2. Taiwan Coffee: From Local Farms to World Champions
Taiwan’s coffee industry started relatively late, but has grown rapidly. Beans from Alishan, Gukeng, and Dawu Mountain in Pingtung have begun winning international awards. High altitude and significant day–night temperature differences create complex flavor profiles.
Equally important is the rise of barista culture. In 2016, Wu Zelin of Simple Kaffa won the World Barista Championship, placing Taiwanese specialty coffee on the global stage. His victory accelerated the industry’s professionalization.
At A Joy, Simple Kaffa provides specially blended and roasted beans. Beyond classics such as Americano, latte, and cappuccino, signature creations includes:
- Mango Sijichun Blended Espresso: Fruit-forward coffee paired with bright citrus tea notes.
- Formosa Fruit Blended Espresso: Coffee infused with guava or tomato juice for a nostalgic local twist.
Cold brew machines operate on-site, allowing guests to observe the extraction process. This transparency reflects confidence in quality. At 86 floors above the city, enjoying championship-level coffee while overlooking Taipei transforms coffee from a stimulant into a complete sensory experience.
3. Cocktails: Contemporary Interpretations of Taiwanese Flavors
Taiwan’s cocktail scene has expanded rapidly in recent years, with several bars ranking among Asia’s 50 Best. Taiwanese bartenders increasingly incorporate local ingredients: Kaoliang Liquor, Oolong Tea, Pineapple, Guava, and Makauy.
Collaborating with Perry’s Palate at A Joy, these nostalgic flavors are reinterpreted into signature high-altitude cocktails:
Taiwanese Long Island Iced Tea
Replaces cola with traditional herbal sarsaparilla (HeySong Sarsaparilla) for a nostalgic, licorice-infused kick.
Sunlight Mojito
Blends rum and sweet-tart pineapple with Makauy (indigenous mountain pepper), adding a refreshing lemon-ginger aroma.
Smoky Wax Gourd Shot
Pairs aged whisky and rum with black tea and classic Tainan Yifeng winter melon tea, elevating street-side herbal refreshments into a sophisticated shot.
Taiwanese Bloody Mary
Replaces tomato juice with mixed fruit juice and adds a kick of iconic Dongquan chili sauce.
Taiwanese Fruits Colada
Recreates traditional banquet-style tropical drinks using guava, mango, and coconut milk.
Fortress at Sunset
Features Kinmen sorghum liquor (Kaoliang), peanut candy, and sour plum juice.
These cocktails are not random combinations of local elements. They emerge from a deep understanding of Taiwan’s drinking culture. Each drink includes pairing suggestions—oysters and sashimi for Crimson Mary, grilled seafood and roast duck for Wheatfield Dream, Oasis Dance between courses.
Here, cocktails are not merely alcoholic beverages. They are integral components of a holistic dining experience.
Taiwan Drinks FAQ: Essential Guide to Taiwanese Beverage Culture
Discover key insights into Taiwan’s iconic drink culture, from classic milk teas to local ordering customs and ordering trends.
1. What makes Taiwan drinks so unique globally?
Taiwan’s drink culture seamlessly bridges casual street food and fine dining, pioneering customizable options (sweetness/ice levels) and innovative toppings like chewy tapioca pearls and cheese foam.
2. What is the most popular drink in Taiwan besides bubble tea?
Fruit teas made with fresh seasonal produce (like passion fruit, mango, and green orange), high-mountain Oolong teas, and brown sugar boba milk are among the top choices across local shops.
3. What is "cheese foam" on Taiwanese tea?
Cheese foam (奶蓋) is a creamy, slightly salty layer made from whipped cream cheese, milk, and sea salt poured over fresh tea, creating a sweet-and-savory contrast in every sip.
4. How do you adjust ice and sugar levels when ordering Taiwanese drinks?
Most hand-shaken drink shops let you choose your sweetness (Regular 100%, Less 70%, Half 50%, Light 30%, or No Sugar 0%) and ice levels (Regular, Less, Light, or No Ice) to suit your preference.
Discovering the Evolution of Taiwan Drinks at A Joy
From vibrant street corner hand-shaken shops to high-altitude fine dining, Taiwan’s drinking culture is a continuous story of innovation and local heritage.
At A Joy, this rich beverage evolution is subtly brought to life—where championship coffee, artisanal teas, and craft cocktails converge 86 floors above Taipei. Whether savoring nostalgic flavors reinterpreted through modern mixology or enjoying rare high-mountain teas, a visit to A Joy offers an authentic celebration of Taiwan’s sophisticated liquid aesthetic.