While Starbucks fans are still steaming over its decision to serve one of the most coveted holiday drinks only in its international market, a different global chain has seemingly set out to quench the thirst of those stateside—with its own twist, of course.
In case you missed it, earlier this week, loyal customers in the U.S. voiced their frustration with the coffee company after learning it added several red velvet-flavored drink options to menus for the holiday season as it did years ago, except this time, it was seemingly an overseas exclusive.
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But now, a totally different made-to-order beverage brand is serving up its own tea-based version of the red velvet latte at locations in the U.S. in an attempt to capitalize on the popularity of the cake flavor.
Gong Cha, an international bubble tea franchise with hundreds of locations scattered across the U.S., debuted its own version, and it appears to offer a similar flavor profile to the Starbucks recipes (just sans coffee).
The seasonal sips include a Red Velvet Milk Tea, available hot or iced, featuring “premium black milk tea, cookie crumbles, sweet red velvet, and topped with Gong cha’s signature milk foam”—and a Red Velvet Smoothie. The latter was described as “a cold and creamy red velvet and black tea slush with Gong cha’s signature milk foam, topped with cookie crumbles,” per a Nov. 13 report from QSR Magazine.
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So far, fans have raved about the drink, suggesting its fierce competition to the Starbucks’ Red Velvet Latte—made with Starbucks signature espresso, red velvet sauce and steamed milk before it’s topped with whipped cream and red velvet cookie sprinkles—and an alternative option to ordering a complex custom concoction at the coffeehouse.
“The red velvet iced milk tea is amazing!” one Instagram user exclaimed. “I got it yesterday!”
“the red velvet milk tea is soo smooth 🤤,” another added, joking that they were “running to get another [right now].”
“Can’t wait to try the Red Velvet both ways,” someone else shared in part.
One more declared, “RED VELVET??! Yes please.”
Gong Cha’s Red Velvet drink menu will only be around until Dec. 31 (or while supplies last), so if you’re one of the many who “can’t wait to try it,” literally, don’t wait because you only have a few weeks left to do so.
Next: The Starbucks Hot Chocolate Ordering Hack We Wish We’d Known About Sooner
