Cool Off At Coco

CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice is one of the most well-known and recognizable milk tea brands across Asia. And the Philippines is no exception. Originating from Taiwan in the late ’90s, CoCo quickly rose to fame by offering high-quality drinks made from fresh ingredients, with a strong focus on tea flavor and customizable options. When it first opened its doors in the Philippines, it caused an instant buzz in the milk tea scene. Social media lit up with rave reviews, and queues outside their shops became a regular sight.

For months after each new branch launch, long lines of excited customers would snake around the corner, all eager to get their hands on CoCo’s bestsellers like Panda Milk Tea or the refreshing Lemon Yakult Slush. It wasn’t just hype. People kept coming back and that loyalty spoke volumes.

Personally, I decided to wait it out. I’m not the type to rush into a trend while it’s peaking. After letting the craze settle down, I finally gave their drinks a try. Over time, I’ve tasted several of their offerings, ranging from their tea-based classics to their more experimental seasonal drinks, and I must say, I finally understand the enduring appeal.

Panda Milk Tea

One of their most recommended drinks, especially by millennials online, the Panda Milk Tea is their take on the classic blended with both black and white pearls. They were actually the first to introduce white pearls in milk tea here in the Philippines, but to be honest, when I took my first sip, the sinkers were the least of my concern. The tea itself was the star. It had this bold, fragrant tea base that was beautifully balanced with milk and sweetener. It was flavorful and aromatic in the mouth. While I still personally prefer a stronger tea profile like Chatime’s, CoCo’s version is impressively well-rounded.

Salty Cream Milk Tea

I ordered this five years after I first tried Panda Milk Tea. And guess what? The flavor was still consistent. The classic milk tea base shone through again. It was creamy, fragrant, and comforting. What made this experience unique was the salty cream topping. I loved how the cream didn’t just dissolve. It floated for a while, giving me control over when and how to blend it. Once mixed, it created a new layer of depth. Still, I find myself leaning towards the plain classic, but this was a delicious twist.

Taro Latte

If you’re looking for something caffeine-free and something mild but still satisfying, CoCo’s Taro Latte is a great option. This isn’t your typical taro milk tea that has violet hues because this one uses the natural ingredient, added with fresh milk since it is just a latte. You can tell from the thick texture and earthy flavor. I’m amazed at how smooth the mashed taro is. But since the milk has sweet hints, the milk part tasted like sweet potato. It’s a cozy drink for when you want something soft and comforting.

Wintermelon Latte

As you can see, they have the milk and wintermelon syrup separated, hence I had a taste of the two layers. The milk has this creamy and sweet taste, which is the same milk from Taro Latte. The wintermelon had balanced sweetness. When mixed together, it was a delight. Since both are lattes, the overall taste resembles their taro latte, perhaps, the drink is dominant in milk than the flavoring itself. Taro is earthy while the wintermelon gives floral touch so they were on the same flavor notes.

Passionfruit Green Tea

Visually, it looked stunning because of the passionfruit seeds floating in the drink. Does this mean that the drink is made with real passionfruit? Anyway, the refreshment was too sour. It didn’t taste like a fruit tea because the tanginess already hid the earthiness of the green tea. While I appreciate that it wasn’t overly sweet, the tartness could’ve been toned down or better balanced with the pulp alone. Still, it’s refreshing, especially if you’re into bold citrus drinks.

Lemon Yakult Slush

This one really stood out for me. Tangy on tangy can be hard to pull off but CoCo did a great job on combining lemon and Yakult. The lemon tasted fresh and worked seamlessly with the probiotic tang of Yakult. This drink is available as iced or as slush. I ordered it as a slush to accompany me on our long drive. I’m amazed that over time, when it was still filled with crushed ice up to the time it was melted, the flavor of the drink is consistent. That says a lot. It’s light, zesty and perfect for a road trip.

Rose Tea Latte

This one felt like a rare treasure. Rose-flavored drinks aren’t easy to find. CoCo’s Rose Tea Latte was so floral and delicate that it smelled amazing from the first sip. The milk foam added just a touch of creaminess, but the focus was really on the rose flavor. It stayed light and smooth throughout. The added pecan bits on top gave it texture and a bit of saltiness that made the rose pop even more. I hope they bring this back again. It’s a limited edition that deserves a permanent spot.

CoCo Coffee

I asked if their CoCo Coffee had milk to know if it is a latte. The barista confirmed but clarified that they use non-dairy creamer instead of creamer. That made me wonder if the coffee is a freshly brewed one. I don’t think it is made of real coffee beans but surprisingly, it was good for a premix. It tasted like caramel and reminded me of a Caramel Macchiato. However, the coffee was not strong enough for my liking. It’s a comforting drink, but not the one you’d go to for a caffeine kick.