In a fusion of tea meets fashion that we never knew we needed, a HEYTEA pop-up just took over a corner of the Alexander Wang flagship shop in Soho. The collab introduces two specialty drinks: the Metabloom and the Black Grape Boom.
For those of you who can’t make it to Soho, don’t worry! RADII has you covered! We stopped by to check out the exclusive collab drinks on your behalf.
Right off the bat, the pop-up’s interior departs from HEYTEA’s usual bright and modern aesthetics. This time, it’s all black, matte, and metallic, setting the mood for something dark and mysterious, perfectly matching Alexander Wang’s edgy yet luxurious style.
As for the drinks, the Metabloom is the fun and adventurous one. It features a dark green base made from a blend of kale and yerba mate tea, with a butterfly pea flower and chia seed top. The best part, though, is the smoke bubble crown – not for flavor, but for a little extra showmanship (and pics for Instagram).
The Black Grape Boom is sweet and tangy;, it’s a slush blended with jasmine tea and real grapes, packed with juicy grape bits for extra texture. Both drinks are perfectly refreshing for a hot day in NYC.
Alongside the drinks is a flash sale featuring the Tea Tasting Set and Tea Tote Bag. The tea set comes in a sleek metallic box with jasmine and black tea. The mini tote is designed with a slip-proof bottom, making it ideal for carrying your bubble tea on the go.
It feels like bubble tea shops have exploded across NYC in recent years. There are now hundreds scattered around the city, far beyond just Asian neighborhoods. HEYTEA, which made its U.S. debut in 2023, already has over 15 locations in NYC alone. They’re arguably one of the top tea spots in town.
Beyond the Alexander Wang pop-up, there’s also a HEYTEA Lab in Times Square. It offers an immersive experience of tea meets art. The drinks are far more experimental than what you can normally get at standard HEYTEA locations. Plus, you’ll be served by staff dressed in lab coats!
In China, HEYTEA is known for its minimalistic design, high-quality teas, and fresh fruits. They’ve also previously collaborated with brands like Fendi, AAPE, and aAdidas. That said, the premium branding comes at a price. It sits quite a few tiers above budget-friendly chains like Mixue Bingcheng and Luckin Coffee. Even internationally, the drinks average over $8 USD before tax. Yes, it’s not cheap, but they are fresh and delicious, and definitely worth the hype.
Cover image via HEYTEA
