Hand-Shaken Specialty Drinks Are a Hit! How Can Beverage Shops Create Unique Signature Drinks?

In Taiwan, hand-shaken drink shops can be seen everywhere on the streets, and it’s common to find multiple brands on just one block, making competition extremely fierce. According to statistics, an average of 40.2 new hand-shaken beverage shops open every month, showing just how much people love drinks.

However, because the market is already saturated, brands are launching various “Specialty drinks,” constantly innovating with new flavors and toppings to attract customers to try something new. This not only drives market growth but also pushes overall revenue higher year by year. So, what’s so special about these drinks? Why must beverage shops develop their own signature drinks? Let’s take a closer look!

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Why Are Specialty Drinks So Popular?

Having a hand-shaken drink every day has already become a routine for many people, fueling the rapid expansion of drink shops and the growth of the market. But in such a competitive environment, how can brands stand out and successfully attract customers? This is where “signature drinks” become the key. Nowadays, having a drink that tastes “good” is just the basic requirement. To encourage repeat purchases, brands also need to create buzz and increase discussions on social media to gain attention and traffic.

Therefore, signature drinks are not only about flavor variations but are also an important strategy for brands to attract consumers. Through unique topping combinations, innovative textures, or eye-catching appearances, customers can satisfy their taste buds while also sharing photos on social media, turning the drinks into trending topics that bring even more exposure.

How to Create Signature Drinks That Spark Buzz?

Chewy Drinks Become a Key Selling Point

Every hand-shaken drink brand has its own signature feature, like a symbol engraved in consumers’ minds. Some focus on pure tea with refreshing aromas or low caffeine, some highlight rich and creamy milk-based drinks, while others stand out with unique sweet-and-sour blends.

In recent years, the rise of “chewy drinks” has become a major battleground for beverage shops. This new wave goes beyond the traditional single topping of pearls, offering more diverse and unique choices that bring freshness and fun to drinking. With their rich layers and appealing look, chewy drinks have become a hot topic and a standout selling point in the market.

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Low-Calorie Options as a Popular Choice

Adding toppings to hand-shaken drinks has become a habit for many, and pearls have long held the crown as the “king of toppings.” However, with people becoming more health-conscious, many are seeking lower-calorie alternatives such as grass jelly, aiyu jelly, tea jelly, and konjac. These toppings not only satisfy those who love chewing but also help reduce calorie intake, making drinks lighter and guilt-free!

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6 Trendy Specialty Drinks That Went Viral in Recent Years

Here are six super-popular drinks that not only help quench thirst but also stir heated discussions on social media, often attracting long queues outside stores. What makes these Specialty Drinks so special that consumers go crazy for them? Let’s check them out!

iMUZ｜Buckwheat Tea + Grass Jelly

When people mention iMUZ, their first thought is usually its famous grass jelly. After three years of research, the brand perfected a soft and chewy texture similar to mochi, but even smoother and slipperier. This unique jelly quickly became consumers’ favorite chewy topping. Paired with sugar-free buckwheat tea, the refreshing tea aroma blends with the jelly’s soft, Q-like texture, making it a fan-favorite signature drink that netizens unanimously call their “lifetime must-have.”

〈Product Recommendations：Jelly Cake Powder (Hun Kue Powder)〉

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DaMing｜Caramelized Buckwheat Jelly Milk Green Tea

While DaMing is often associated with its signature “Avocado Cheese Foam,” the hidden fan-favorite is actually the “Caramelized Buckwheat Jelly Milk Green Tea.” This Signature Drink uses DaMing’s exclusive topping—QQ buckwheat jelly made from local buckwheat. With a smooth, slippery texture that’s easy to drink, it adds a unique layer without being overly sweet. Paired with their signature Jade Milk Green Tea, the perfect balance of tea and milk flavors has netizens describing it as “simply perfect.”

〈Product Recommendations：Jelly Powder〉

DeJeng｜Cheese Foam Spring Oolong

Famous for its oolong teas, DeJeng’s “cheese foam series” is also a consumer favorite. Among them, the “Cheese Foam Spring Oolong” stands out with its thick, salty-sweet foam. The first sip bursts with rich, savory creaminess, followed by the smooth and refreshing fragrance of oolong tea. The combination is well-balanced, never overwhelming, and leaves people craving for more.

〈Product Recommendations：Milk Foam Powder〉

BaYao Hachiyo Tea｜Citrus Awakening 307

BaYao Hachiyo Tea’s signature drink “Citrus Awakening 307” always attracts long lines. Using lightly roasted oolong tea as a base, combined with sweet and tangy pomelo pulp, the drink delivers a refreshing layered flavor of tea and citrus. The pomelo fragrance blooms in the mouth, offering a clean and slightly sweet aftertaste that keeps customers coming back.

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WooTea｜Grass Jelly Lime Winter Melon

WooTea’s “Grass Jelly Lime Winter Melon” is another highly recommended signature Drink. Made with black sugar winter melon syrup, fresh lime juice, and black sugar grass jelly, this drink combines sweet, sour, and chewy textures. The refreshing acidity of lime blends perfectly with the rich black sugar flavor, making it a top pick for chewy-drink lovers.

〈Product Recommendations：Lemon Syrup、Jelly Cake Powder (Hun Kue Powder)〉

MACU｜Orange Pulp Green Tea

MACU is best known for its “Mango Pomelo Sago” and “Cheese Series,” but the “Orange Pulp Green Tea” in its fruit tea line is also beloved by many fans. Made with freshly cut Taiwanese oranges and passionfruit pulp, paired with refreshing green tea, the drink offers layered textures and flavors. Netizens even suggest adding a preserved plum to enhance its depth, bringing a delightful sweet-sour balance.

〈Product Recommendations：Passion Fruit Pulp Fruit、Mango Syrup、Milk Panna Cotta Powder〉

The Key to Great Signature Drinks: High-Quality Ingredients

As seen in the popular Specialty Drinks above, the real secret to delicious hand-shaken beverages lies in ingredient selection. Beyond sourcing regions and seasonality, using diverse toppings creates endless innovation. The quality of raw materials directly impacts flavor, meaning only carefully selected, high-quality ingredients can ensure outstanding signature drinks. SKY offers a wide range of beverage ingredients, helping brands develop innovative drinks with professional-grade quality to meet diverse needs.

The Importance of Reliable Ingredient Suppliers

In hand-shaken beverage shops, choosing the right supplier is crucial, as the quality of raw materials determines the final product’s taste. Since drinks are carefully blended from multiple ingredients, suppliers must not only pass quality checks but also guarantee a stable supply. Reliable supply prevents stock shortages, maintains consistent flavor, and strengthens brand trust.

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Diverse Ingredients Are the Key

In today’s competitive beverage market, developing new flavors is essential to creating signature drinks. If a supplier can provide a wide variety of ingredients, brands can flexibly mix and match, quickly adapting to market demand. For example, SKY provides diverse toppings and concentrated fruit extracts that perfectly capture seasonal fruit flavors, helping brands meet consumer preferences with ease.

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How to Develop Signature Drinks? From Flavor to Health Considerations

So, how can brands successfully create a hit signature drink? Beyond taste, they must also focus on quality and health while understanding consumer needs and preferences. Here are three key aspects—flavor, toppings, and health—to help you craft irresistible signature drinks.

Flavor Choices for Signature Drinks

Though new and experimental flavors appear regularly, many top-selling signature drinks still rely on classics like green tea, black tea, milk tea, and oolong tea. These remain consumer favorites and provide a strong base for creating new drinks. Recently, coffee-based drinks have also gained popularity, offering customers a fresh alternative. Meanwhile, fruity drinks like citrus teas are always seasonal hits, bringing novelty and hype. Brands should observe trends and align flavors with their positioning to boost appeal and competitiveness.

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Topping Pairings

Once the base flavor is set, the next step is selecting the right toppings to enhance texture and appeal. For instance, buckwheat tea with grass jelly or orange passionfruit pulp with green tea are proven successful combos. Beyond following topping trends, brands should carefully pair toppings to create captivating flavors, visually appealing drinks, and buzz-worthy topics.

Health Considerations

With more beverage options available, consumer expectations are higher. Beyond taste, people now care about health—reducing excessive sweetness, controlling calorie intake, and avoiding artificial flavorings or excessive additives. Drinks that feel artificial or questionable in quality may quickly turn consumers away. Thus, brands must prioritize health factors when developing signature drinks.

Seasonal Relevance

A great product needs to appear in the right season to maximize sales. Adjusting drink flavors based on seasonal needs satisfies consumers’ palates and brings freshness. For example, light and refreshing drinks are ideal for summer, while rich and creamy ones are perfect for winter. Seasonal fruits like mangoes in summer and strawberries in winter also give customers the impression of “fresh and in-season,” boosting the drink’s appeal.

〈Product Recommendations：Mango Syrup、Mango Pulp Fruit、Strawberry Syrup、Strawberry Pulp Fruit〉

Conclusion

Today, countless innovative specialty drinks are hitting the market, and their success lies in the clever combination of flavors and toppings. Whether satisfying chewy-drink lovers or offering fresh, layered tastes, these drinks often turn first-time buyers into loyal fans. For brands aiming to create unique signature drinks, SKY International Food Co., Ltd. is your ideal partner. We provide a wide range of premium ingredients, all strictly tested for quality. Want to learn more or need raw material support? Contact us to create best-selling signature drinks together!

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