With final exams in the rear-view mirror and long summer days on the horizon, it’s time to start planning parties again. For a unique take on the summer party, consider hosting a gathering centred on this generation’s favourite drink: bubble tea.
Hosting a bubble tea party (or should we say par-tea) is a fantastic way to connect with friends, enjoy a multi-sensory drink experience, and share several boba-inspired décor flourishes and games with the people you love.
Here are five tips for throwing the perfect par-tea.
Include Customization Options on the Invite
As you send your invites, consider including a form with the near-countless bubble tea customizations available.
Bubble tea is all about personalization, allowing each guest to put their unique spin on the classic drink. Customizations can include choosing a base and selecting from a wide array of toppings – like tapioca pearls, grass jelly, coconut jelly, popping boba, sea salt crema, etc. Or it can mean tweaking the finished product by adding or subtracting ice, dialling in the sweetness level, and choosing the size.
By collecting customization forms early, you can ensure that everyone’s perfect boba appears right when the party starts.
Leave the Bubble Tea Artistry to the Experts
While some boba parties centre on a DIY approach, it’s best to leave the bubble tea to the experts. Consider placing your order in advance with a beloved bubble tea chain, and setting the delivery time to dovetail perfectly with your party’s start time (or a little after, for the fashionably late!).
The best bubble tea chain – and the OG option, hailing from Taiwan – is Chatime. Their menu features several brilliant flavour combinations and customization opportunities. Include the menu in your invite (see above) to get everyone excited. Visit Chatime.ca to get the bubble rolling.
Choose Decorations that Fit the Boba Spirit
Here’s where you get creative! As you decorate for the big day, dream up boba-inspired decorations. This might include a large paper cut out of a bubble tea cup, complete with balloons as the toppings. Or it can consist of buying ready-made boba decoration sets, including bubble tea streamers, tableware and napkins.
Anything that fits the spirit of the drink is going to work a treat! For inspiration, check out this recently hosted bubble tea party.
Share Tasting Notes and Experiences
Next, encourage guests to share their tasting notes and experiences. Consider breaking out some small glassware or compostable cups, allowing guests to share a small portion of their creations with each other.
Make “tasting notes” cards for each guest, and include a section at the end for guests to rate each bubble tea iteration on a sliding scale between “good” and “life-altering.”
Consider Blind Taste Test Games with Fun Prizes
Lastly, order a few bubble teas to serve as the “game” drinks. In this game, divide a few communal bubble teas of your creation across several small cups (see above). Blindfold guests and have them describe what they think the base and toppings are. The closest to the actual bubble tea wins a prize of your choosing (like a Chatime gift card). For this game to work, include a form field on your invitation kindly asking guests to list any allergies or dietary restrictions.
With all this planning out of the way, the only thing left to do is count down the days until your lavish bubble tea party. The waiting, indeed, might be the hardest part.
