Obviously, I’m incredibly passionate about all things booze, but another huge passion of mine is tea. So, when I discovered Bubbleology was combining both, my mind was blown. Bubbleology is bringing boozy bubble tea to New Yorkers for the first time, and I couldn’t be more excited to share my first boozy bubble tea experience with you.
As soon as I stepped foot inside the shop, it reminded me of London. The hip stop has black brick with some woodwork, giving it a modern industrial vibe. The shop has a neon sign on the wall that reads “Boba, yes, Waffles, yes, You, maybe…” which makes it the perfect spot to snap some Instagram-worthy drink photos. After I snapped a few photos, I found myself chatting away with Assad Khan, the founder and CEO of Bubbleology.
Khan and I talked about all thing bubble tea and beyond. Khan told me that the name Bubbleology was inspired by the science behind bubble tea. Khan wanted to know the inside, and out, of bubble tea, so he traveled to Taiwan and learned how to create the popular drink by working in shops across the country. He told me that locals thought he was crazy, but he really wanted to master the science behind it all and knew the best way to learn was to get in the kitchen.
Although Bubblelogy is a popular UK -based company, Khan wanted to return to the big apple. Once upon a time, Khan lived and worked in New York City and had his first-ever experience with Bubble tea here. Since New York was so significant in his bubble tea journey, when it came to setting up shop here, Khan told me that, “For us, New York had to be a really different store, it had to be a special store. For me, I was determined that it had to be the first alcoholic bubble tea bar.”
The menu has a vast selection of boozy bubble tea, non-alcoholic drinks, and of course, quite a few varieties of bubble tea. During my visit, I tried quite a few drinks, but I found myself enjoying the Black Raspberry Royale drink the most. This drink also happens to be the favorite of Khan’s. The Black Raspberry Royale cocktail has bourbon, whiskey and black raspberry liqueur in it. It is severed with lycée popping boba and dusted with edible shimmer.
As someone whose palette leans a bit sweeter, I was happy that some of the cocktails suited my palette. Although I tend to go for sweeter drinks, there is such a vast range of cocktails, and I found that there’s something for everyone for here.
When I spoke with Khan, he told me that one of the best things about Bubblelogy is that “you are your own mixologist, and you can make your drink how you want it.” This goes for the boozy bubble tea and other menu items as well.
To try out your own boozy bubble tea, check out Bubbleology at 120 1/2 1st Avenue.
