This is the Lychee Velvet ($9.30, +$1.00 for honey pearls, +$0.00 for agar pearls promotion, 50% sweetness, no ice) from Tea Republic, featuring an almond-kernel–flavoured Ceylon black tea and lychee syrup.

The beverage had a medium brown hue. When consumed chilled, it opened with gentle almond-kernel notes that were lightly sweet and subtly nutty, setting a calm aromatic tone. This rounded smoothly into a deeper, fuller almond character in the body, losing the bitterness or chemical edge that this flavour sometimes carries. The lychee emerged with a measured floral sweetness, threading neatly through the tea base before lifting into a small burst of juicy acidity toward the finish. The aftertaste remained clean, leaving a soft nutty echo alongside a restrained lychee perfume. The mouthfeel was exceptionally smooth, with the honey pearls offering a tender chew while the agar pearls contributed a firmer, crisper counterpoint.

Overall, a well-integrated drink where the almond kernel and lychee complemented one another with unexpected balance and depth. Very enjoyable and worth repurchasing, though a lower sweetness level would likely highlight the complexity even more.

This Lychee Velvet was purchased in Sydney, Australia from Tea Republic in November 2025.