This is the Da Hong Pao Fresh Fruit Tea with Lychee ($8.50, +$1.20 for water chestnut, no ice, 100% sugar) from Tea Republic. It featured a da hong pao oolong tea base with two slices of watermelon, a wedge of Granny Smith apple, and a slice of orange.
The drink was a clear, orange-yellow hue, with the fruit at the top and the water chestnut cubes at the base. When enjoyed chilled, the pronounced notes of the heavily oxidized dark oolong became immediately evident. These notes featured earthy and woody tones, reminiscent of stone fruits. Progressing through the drink, mild hints of tobacco emerged, creating a smooth body that was further enriched by the delicate floral undertones of lychee. Both the tobacco and lychee notes lingered, leaving a subtly sweet aftertaste.
Despite the 100% sugar content, the robustness of the tea base overshadowed the sweetness contributed by the lychee syrup. The overall flavour profile resembled that of a lychee black tea, where lychee peel is dried with black tea. The inclusion of water chestnut cubes added a crunchy texture, absorbing the flavours without contributing distinct notes of its own but lacking the satisfying chewiness of tapioca pearls. The fresh fruit, meant to be consumed after finishing the drink, provided a refreshing and ‘healthy’ finish.
In conclusion, this beverage celebrated the rich and robust notes of Da Hong Pao. The addition of lychee elevated its natural woody stone fruit characteristics as a secondary flavour.
Da Hong Pao Fresh Fruit Tea with Lychee was purchased from Tea Republic in December 2023.