Not a Tea Fan? No Problem! Our Top 5 Drinks That Aren’t Tea
Welcome to the Tea & Tea blog! As a family-owned bubble tea shop with roots deep in the heart of Portland and Beaverton, we’re passionate about sharing the joy of boba. But we have a little secret to let you in on: you don’t actually have to be a tea lover to love our shop.
That’s right. Maybe you’ve walked past our spot on NE Alberta Street after grabbing a slice at Pizza Jerk, or maybe you’ve seen the happy faces sipping colorful drinks at our SE Division location, and thought, “That looks fun, but I’m just not a big tea person.”
If that sounds like you, this post is your official invitation to discover a whole other side of our menu. Bubble tea is more than just tea—it’s an experience. It’s about bold flavors, fun textures, and finding that perfect, refreshing treat to make your day better. And a huge part of that experience lives in our vibrant, delicious, and utterly tea-free creations. From icy slushies that taste like a summer vacation to rich and creamy blended drinks that are a dessert in themselves, we have something for everyone.
So, let’s dive into the world beyond the tea leaf and explore our top five favorite drinks for the non-tea fan!
1. The ‘Patrick Star’ Slushy
A Fun, Fruity Masterpiece
Let’s start with a drink that’s as fun to look at as it is to sip. Our Patrick Star Slushy is a vibrant, cheerful pink concoction that’s guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. If you love sweet, classic fruit flavors, this is your drink.
- What it Tastes Like: Imagine the perfect blend of sweet, ripe strawberries and fragrant, tropical lychee. It’s a burst of fruity goodness that is both familiar and excitingly different. The lychee adds a wonderfully aromatic and sweet flavor that elevates the classic strawberry taste into something truly special.
- The Texture: This is a classic slushy, blended with ice to create a smooth, frosty texture that is unbelievably refreshing, especially on those surprisingly warm Portland afternoons. It’s the perfect way to cool down after a bike ride around Laurelhurst Park.
- Why You’ll Love It: The Patrick Star is pure, uncomplicated joy in a cup. It’s a fantastic choice for first-timers and kids, but its delicious flavor profile makes it a go-to for regulars, too. We recommend adding some Lychee Jelly to double down on that amazing tropical fruit flavor!
2. The ‘Blue Lagoon’ Red Bull Infused
An Energizing Escape
Need a little boost to get you through the day? Maybe you’re studying for finals at PSU or need some energy before a show at the Roseland Theater, just a stone’s throw from our SW Yamhill and Orbit St. locations. Forget coffee—the Blue Lagoon is here to supercharge your day in the most delicious way possible.
- What it Tastes Like: This drink is a bolt of lightning. We take the unmistakable energy of a Red Bull and infuse it with a tangy combination of Blue Raspberry and zesty Lime. The result is a bubbly, sweet, and sour flavor that will wake up your taste buds. It’s bold, it’s vibrant, and it is unapologetically fun.
- The Appearance: The Blue Lagoon is an incredible, electric blue that looks like it’s glowing. It’s one of those drinks that just begs to be photographed.
- Why You’ll Love It: It’s the ultimate afternoon pick-me-up. It’s more flavorful than a standard energy drink and more exciting than a cup of coffee. According to some market analyses, a huge appeal of modern energy drinks is their use as a base for creative, mixed beverages—and the Blue Lagoon is a perfect example of that trend. Add some chewy classic boba or some bursting Strawberry Pop Boba for a truly awesome textural experience.
3. The ‘Bahama Breeze’ Blended
Your Tropical Getaway
Close your eyes and imagine you’re on a beach. That’s the Bahama Breeze. This drink is for those who crave something creamy, sweet, and utterly indulgent. It’s less of a drink and more of a mini-vacation.
- What it Tastes Like: We blend sweet, tangy pineapple with rich, creamy coconut to create a smoothie-like drink that is pure tropical bliss. It’s smooth, velvety, and perfectly balanced—the sweetness of the pineapple cuts through the richness of the coconut for a flavor that’s just right.
- The Texture: As a blended drink, it’s thick and milkshake-smooth. It’s a substantial, satisfying treat that feels like a dessert you can sip through a straw.
- Why You’ll Love It: It’s a caffeine-free escape. It’s the perfect treat to grab after a long week or when you just want to spoil yourself. It’s a family-friendly flavor that both kids and adults adore. For an extra creamy experience, try it with our oat milk alternative!
4. The ‘Mangonada’ Slushy
A Sweet and Spicy Adventure
For the adventurous palate, we present the Mangonada. This flavor profile is a beloved staple in Mexican street food culture, celebrated for its incredible balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy. Our take on it is a slushy that captures that exciting spirit.
- What it Tastes Like: The foundation is a sweet and luscious mango slushy. What makes a mangonada special is the delicious contrast of flavors. Traditionally, as explained by food blogs like Isabel Eats, this drink is swirled with chamoy (a savory sauce made from pickled fruit) and sprinkled with Tajín (a chile-lime salt). This creates a flavor explosion that is sweet, salty, spicy, and tangy all at once. While our menu board keeps it simple, ask our team about making it traditional style if you’re feeling bold!
- The Texture: It’s a thick, icy slushy that holds up perfectly to its bold flavors. When you add toppings like Mango Jelly or even classic boba, you get a multi-layered textural experience.
- Why You’ll Love It: It’s a full-flavor experience that is incredibly unique and ridiculously delicious. If you’re tired of the same old thing and want to try something that will really wow you, the Mangonada is your drink. It’s a taste of sunshine with a kick.
5. The ‘Taro Oreo’ Blended
A Creamy, Dreamy Dessert
Last but certainly not least is a titan of the non-tea world: the Taro Oreo Blended. If you’ve never had taro, you’re in for a treat. It’s a root vegetable that has a wonderful, nutty, vanilla-like flavor that is a superstar in desserts and drinks across Asia.
- What it Tastes Like: We take that delicious, subtly sweet taro flavor and blend it into a thick, creamy shake with chunks of real Oreo cookies. The result is a rich, satisfying drink that tastes like a cookies-and-cream milkshake but with a unique, sophisticated twist.
- The Texture: It’s incredibly thick, smooth, and creamy, with the satisfying crunch of Oreo pieces in every sip. It’s one of our most decadent and dessert-like options on the entire menu.
- Why You’ll Love It: It’s the ultimate comfort drink. It satisfies your sweet tooth and your craving for something creamy and substantial. For anyone who loves milkshakes or ice cream, the Taro Oreo Blended is a must-try. It shows how versatile our menu is, offering flavors that are both globally inspired and comfortingly familiar.
Your Perfect Drink Awaits
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose your next favorite non-tea drink from Tea & Tea!
| Drink Name | Main Flavors | Why We Love It |
| Patrick Star Slushy | Strawberry & Lychee | Sweet, icy, and refreshingly fruity. A total crowd-pleaser! |
| Blue Lagoon | Blue Raspberry & Lime | An energetic, bubbly, and bold drink with a kick from Red Bull. |
| Bahama Breeze | Pineapple & Coconut | A creamy, tropical escape that tastes like a vacation in a cup. |
| Mangonada Slushy | Mango & Spices | An adventurous and exciting blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy. |
| Taro Oreo Blended | Nutty Taro & Oreo Cookies | A rich, creamy, and decadent dessert drink for cookie lovers. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do your non-tea drinks still come with boba?
Absolutely! While our “Classic w/Boba” milk tea comes with it automatically, any drink on our menu can be customized with toppings. Our non-tea drinks are fantastic with classic chewy boba, mini boba, or even our fun popping boba and jellies. You can always get a delicious drink with boba at Tea & Tea, whether it has tea in it or not!
What are the best kid-friendly boba alternatives at Tea & Tea?
We have so many kid-friendly options! The Patrick Star Slushy (strawberry lychee) and the Bahama Breeze Blended (pineapple coconut) are two of our most popular choices for kids. Our fruit slushies, like the Strawberry Lemonade Slush, are also big hits. Plus, kids love adding toppings like Strawberry or Mango Popping Boba, which burst in their mouth for a super fun experience.
Can I get a caffeine-free drink at your Portland boba shop?
Yes, easily! Many of our most delicious drinks are completely caffeine-free. Any of our Slushies (like the Patrick Star or Mangonada) and most of our Blended drinks (like the Bahama Breeze or Taro Oreo) are caffeine-free. Just steer clear of the coffee, tea, matcha, and Red Bull Infused categories. We have plenty of vibrant, flavorful options to enjoy any time of day.
Come Find Your New Favorite!
See? There’s a whole universe of flavor to explore at Tea & Tea, and you don’t need to be a tea aficionado to join the fun. We believe in creating delicious, high-quality drinks that bring people together.
So next time you’re in the neighborhood, whether you’re on NE Alberta St., SE 72nd Ave., SW Orbit St., SE Division St., or SW Yamhill St., stop in and say hello! Let our friendly team know you’re looking for something without tea, and we’ll be thrilled to whip up a Patrick Star, a Blue Lagoon, or any other creation that catches your eye.
We can’t wait to welcome you into the Tea & Tea family!
