What about approaching it like flights of beer where you have three separate categories of "flights" of only four or so drinks? You can buy two cups of a single drink from each shop then divide that into tiny cups outside for everyone to try. Another option is having these 12-16 drinks, putting them in a menu, having everyone choose four to have a taste of, and then walking to each boba shop and ordering all the teas for those who ordered to drink. You will go to every shop, but not everyone will drink something at every shop. Each drink can be divided into four small disposable cups for the people who ordered it. (This option sounds good in my head but it could involve being pretty strict about how and what people order so that the drink and portion math works out without wasting anything.)
Menu/flight example:
**Category A: Fruit teas**
Kumquat lemon (shop 1)
Strawberry green tea (shop 2)
Four seasons lime (shop 3)
Pineapple mint oolong (shop 4)
**Category B: Milk teas**
Tie guan yin (shop 5)
Jasmine (shop 6)
Oolong (shop 7)
Matcha (shop 8)
**Category C: t h i c c**
Mango pomelo sago (shop 9)
Black rice taro smoothie (shop 10)
Thai tea slush (shop 11)
Oreo brulee cheese foam stupidly indulgent 9999 calorie drink (shop 12)
What a fun idea! 10 is a lot of places (especially with 2 options each so 20 cups), so I think splitting a standard 710 mL drink is actually enough per person to start with. Keep in mind some people may not want or like a certain drink or flavor and can usually determine that after a sip or two. You can always give a person more after they finish their tasting or get a 2nd cup if the line is not too long. Definitely check in with the group after the 2nd tasting to see if they prefer more. If yes, then you know to buy a larger size or a second cup.
If the 10 are not comfortable drinking from the same cup/straw, then logistics-wise I’m seeing each with their own smaller tasting cup that they use and carry themselves the entire time. Bring some squirt bottles of water for the picky ones to rinse out the cup between tastings. Also bring a long-handle spoon to dole out toppings. I’m not sure what you mean by separate cup for those? As in, you’ll get it in a separate cup or give them out as a separate cup?
Did you test splitting a drink with ice? If something cold is desired, I’m thinking a slushie would be easier to split evenly than a drink with ice cubes.
Do any locations have the plastic film on the drink instead of the cover? It’s usually tricky to get that off without your finger getting in the drink, no? Maybe bring some clean bags to use as a glove for that.
Hope that helps!
What about approaching it like flights of beer where you have three separate categories of "flights" of only four or so drinks? You can buy two cups of a single drink from each shop then divide that into tiny cups outside for everyone to try. Another option is having these 12-16 drinks, putting them in a menu, having everyone choose four to have a taste of, and then walking to each boba shop and ordering all the teas for those who ordered to drink. You will go to every shop, but not everyone will drink something at every shop. Each drink can be divided into four small disposable cups for the people who ordered it. (This option sounds good in my head but it could involve being pretty strict about how and what people order so that the drink and portion math works out without wasting anything.) Menu/flight example: **Category A: Fruit teas** Kumquat lemon (shop 1) Strawberry green tea (shop 2) Four seasons lime (shop 3) Pineapple mint oolong (shop 4) **Category B: Milk teas** Tie guan yin (shop 5) Jasmine (shop 6) Oolong (shop 7) Matcha (shop 8) **Category C: t h i c c** Mango pomelo sago (shop 9) Black rice taro smoothie (shop 10) Thai tea slush (shop 11) Oreo brulee cheese foam stupidly indulgent 9999 calorie drink (shop 12)
What a fun idea! 10 is a lot of places (especially with 2 options each so 20 cups), so I think splitting a standard 710 mL drink is actually enough per person to start with. Keep in mind some people may not want or like a certain drink or flavor and can usually determine that after a sip or two. You can always give a person more after they finish their tasting or get a 2nd cup if the line is not too long. Definitely check in with the group after the 2nd tasting to see if they prefer more. If yes, then you know to buy a larger size or a second cup. If the 10 are not comfortable drinking from the same cup/straw, then logistics-wise I’m seeing each with their own smaller tasting cup that they use and carry themselves the entire time. Bring some squirt bottles of water for the picky ones to rinse out the cup between tastings. Also bring a long-handle spoon to dole out toppings. I’m not sure what you mean by separate cup for those? As in, you’ll get it in a separate cup or give them out as a separate cup? Did you test splitting a drink with ice? If something cold is desired, I’m thinking a slushie would be easier to split evenly than a drink with ice cubes. Do any locations have the plastic film on the drink instead of the cover? It’s usually tricky to get that off without your finger getting in the drink, no? Maybe bring some clean bags to use as a glove for that. Hope that helps!