Walk through any neighborhood in Taiwan and you'll inevitably pass a drink stand. Customers pick their tea, choose their fruit, and specify how sweet they want it—the drink is mixed on the spot. This custom, known as tejiao cha (hand-shaken tea), is as everyday in Taiwan as grabbing a coffee on the go. Now, that same spirit has inspired an alcoholic beverage brand, and it has just arrived in Japan.
TEAPSY is a Taiwan-born brand that reimagines hand-shaken tea as a drink for adults. With a blend of natural fruit sweetness and the deep aroma of carefully selected Taiwanese teas, each bottle offers both familiarity and depth of flavor. The Japan rollout is handled by Begi, Inc., a Kyoto-based company specializing in importing and promoting Taiwanese food culture.
Supervised by Tatsuya, Bridging Tokyo and Taipei Culture
The brand's flavor profile and concept were overseen by Tatsuya (Instagram: @tatsuya_tokyo_taipei), an influencer with around 260,000 Instagram followers who shares lifestyle content spanning both Tokyo and Taipei, and is the author of Taiwan Meiten 137.
"What struck me was how the free-spirited enjoyment of hand-shaken tea—beloved across Taiwan—has been translated into an alcoholic drink," Tatsuya said. "The combination of Taiwanese tea aromas and fruit flavors feels natural and pairs well with food. Bottle and all, it really carries the atmosphere of Taiwan."
Three Defining Characteristics
A Grown-Up Take on Taiwan's Everyday Drink
TEAPSY takes the playful, customizable spirit of hand-shaken tea and reframes it as an adult beverage. The result pairs the natural sweetness of Taiwanese fruits with the layered fragrance of premium Taiwanese teas, creating a drink that feels approachable yet nuanced.
Alcohol Content Balanced for Aroma and Flavor
At 9.88% ABV, TEAPSY is designed with a careful balance between aroma and taste. It can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, or with soda—each method brings out a different character. Whether at home or at a bar, the format is versatile enough for a range of occasions.
A Bottle Designed to Belong
Beyond the liquid itself, the bottle design has been thoughtfully considered so it sits naturally on a bar shelf or dinner table—equally suited as a gift or a restaurant feature.
Four Flavors and Pairing Suggestions
Lychee × Green Apple × Taiwan Black Tea
Pairs well with spiced curry or an after-dinner dessert.
Pineapple × Passion Fruit × Jinxuan Tea
A natural match for light appetizers like white fish carpaccio.
Kumquat × Grapefruit × Oriental Beauty Tea
Complements Japanese dashi-based dishes, or makes for a relaxing end-of-day sip.
Mango × Jasmine Tea × Taiwanese Herbs
Goes nicely with salty snacks like prosciutto and cheese.
Limited Sets Available via Online Store
To celebrate the Japan launch, TEAPSY's official online store is offering a series of limited-quantity sets, released in stages. Each round is available only while supplies last.
Round 1: Limited to 88 Sets
2-bottle set: ¥13,000 (tax included, free shipping)
Includes a ¥12,000 coupon (valid 7 days) for the next purchase.
Round 2: Limited to 128 Sets
2-bottle set: ¥14,000 (tax included, free shipping)
Includes a ¥13,000 coupon (valid 7 days) for the next purchase.
Round 3: Limited to 168 Sets
2-bottle set: ¥15,000 (tax included, free shipping)
No additional coupon included.
Official online store: https://begi.jp
Keeping Taiwan's Everyday Price in Mind
One of the guiding principles behind TEAPSY's Japan pricing is to stay as close as possible to what people pay in Taiwan. The bottle is priced at TWD 1,600 in Taiwan and ¥8,000 in Japan. Given that the initial run is limited in quantity, early sellouts are anticipated.
What's Coming Next
Pop-up events are planned across Japan throughout 2026. Looking further ahead, the team has its sights set on opening a directly operated restaurant and select shop where visitors can experience Taiwan's food and culture in full.
