This year, World Tea Expo's Tea Bar will feature a unique presentation highlighting the intersection of tradition and innovation by demoing and sampling ochawari (tea-based cocktails).
Presented by Wakoen Global and the Japan Ochawari Association, the session will give attendees the chance to learn about an exciting new way to enjoy tea.
We chatted with marketing services company UNIVA America, Inc. to find out more about this special Tea Bar presentation.
What will you be presenting at the Tea Bar?
At the Tea Bar, we will be showcasing an innovative fusion of Japanese tea and alcohol, introducing a modern take on the traditional ochawari (tea-based cocktails). Using Wakoen’s finest premium-quality tea, we are excited to present a sophisticated new way to enjoy tea by pairing it with spirits, as interest in Japanese tea and shochu continues to grow in the U.S.
Guests will have the opportunity to experience the deep umami of Wakoen’s exceptional tea harmonizing with alcohol, creating a refined balance of flavors. This unique tasting experience highlights the intersection of tradition and innovation, allowing visitors to explore new possibilities for enjoying Japanese tea.
Why should World Tea Expo attendees be interested in the presentation?
The Wakoen x Japan Ochawari Association Tea Bar Presentation represents the cutting edge where Japanese tea tradition meets the innovation of alcohol. More than just a tasting, we offer a fully immersive experience that engages all five senses. By preserving the rich aroma and flavor of traditional Japanese tea while seamlessly integrating it into American drinking culture, we introduce an exciting new way to enjoy tea.
With the rising health-conscious movement and the booming craft cocktail scene in the U.S., ochawari hold immense potential. Attendees will not only savor the depth of Japanese tea, but also discover a fresh and inspiring way to incorporate it into their daily lifestyle. We invite you to experience this unique fusion of tradition and innovation firsthand.
What exhibiting companies will you be working with for the presentation?
We will be collaborating with Wakoen, a Japanese tea brand dedicated to carrying the rich heritage of Japanese tea culture into the future. By blending time-honored tea-making techniques with modern innovation, Wakoen provides the highest quality Japanese tea. From cultivation to production and processing, they maintain strict quality control to maximize the delicate flavors and deep aromas of Japanese tea. While respecting traditional methods, they also embrace new perspectives to expand the possibilities of Japanese tea worldwide.
Additionally, we are partnering with the Japan Ochawari Association, an organization committed to promoting ochawari—a creative fusion of Japanese tea and alcohol. By introducing this new way of enjoying tea, the association aims to highlight the versatility of Japanese tea in contemporary drinking culture. Ochawari aligns perfectly with the growing health-conscious movement and the craft cocktail trend, offering a fresh and exciting option for tea enthusiasts and mixologists alike.
Together, Wakoen and the Japan Ochawari Association will present an innovative approach to Japanese tea at the expo, showcasing how tradition and modernity can merge to create new possibilities. We invite you to experience this unique intersection of history and innovation firsthand.
What types of cocktails will you be making?
We will be offering two main types of cocktails. The first is ochawari, a popular Japanese cocktail trend that emerged around 2019. This style involves mixing Japanese tea with a variety of spirits, including shochu, gin, whiskey, and other liquors from around the world. By blending the unique flavors and aromas of each spirit with high-quality Japanese tea, ochawari presents a new and exciting drinking experience.
Structurally, ochawari is similar to a cooler or sour, but it differs in that it does not contain sugar, acidity, or carbonation. This makes it a popular choice as a shokuchushu (a drink enjoyed with meals) in Japan, allowing the delicate flavors of both the tea and the spirit to shine through harmoniously.
Kilala Barnes, the bartender at the Tea Bar presentation, said, "There’s something about tea that I keep coming back to—its depth, aroma, and versatility—that make it the perfect ingredient to experiment with. And since I love creating cocktail content, I started thinking, why not bring the two together? Tea is packed with antioxidants and tannins, and it can add natural complexity that plays beautifully in cocktails. It can bring a bold, rich backbone or a delicate, floral touch, depending on how you use it—making it an exciting ingredient to mix with spirits. The best part? Tea can change its flavor profile depending on whether it’s brewed hot or cold, giving you endless possibilities for subtle shifts in your cocktails.
"I also have to say—green tea powder is seriously underrated. It’s so much easier to work with than matcha since it’s less bitter, meaning there’s less need for extra sugar to balance it out. That makes it a great choice for cocktails where you want the tea flavor
to shine without adding too much sweetness."
Cocktails Available at the Presentation:
Kagoshima Whisper: A bold yet delicate mix of whiskey, shochu, banana liqueur, and green tea powder. This one has layers of umami, warmth, and subtle sweetness, bringing a deep, rich character to each sip.
Black Tea Italicus: A refreshing balance of black tea, citrusy Italicus, and smooth shochu, finished with a bright hint of lemon. Light, floral, and complex, it’s a delicate fusion of Japanese tea and Italian flair.
Sencha Shochutini: A crisp and refreshing mix of shochu, cooled sencha, lemon juice, and ginger syrup, garnished with a bright lemon twist. Smooth, lightly spiced, and tea-forward, it’s a minimalist yet flavorful take on a tea-infused martini. A little tradition, a little experimentation—just the way I like it.
What types of tea will you be using?
For this exhibition, we have carefully selected a variety of Japanese teas, each with its own distinct characteristics, to create unique ochawari pairings.
One of our highlighted teas is "Arabiki-cha," a powdered green tea that offers a rich umami flavor. Unlike matcha, which has a more concentrated taste, Arabiki-cha brings out the full-bodied depth of first-flush tea leaves, adding complexity to cocktails.
Another standout is "Yutaka Midori," a tea known for its deep umami and natural sweetness, unique to Kagoshima. Its vibrant green color and fragrant aroma enhance the harmony between Japanese tea and alcohol.
We are also featuring "Asatsuyu,", a naturally sweet and refreshing tea. When cold-brewed, it develops a smooth and layered taste that pairs exceptionally well with gin, complementing its botanical notes for a refreshing new cocktail experience.
Fermented teas will also take center stage. "Benifuki Oolong Tea" has a delicate fermentation aroma, which, when paired with pear-based vodka, creates a fusion of floral and fruity flavors.
Meanwhile, "Benifuki Black Tea" offers a well-balanced mix of tannins and sweetness, making it an excellent base for cocktails.
Plan to Attend or Participate in World Tea Expo, March 24-26, 2025
To learn about other key developments, trends, issues, hot topics and products within the global tea community, plan to attend World Tea Expo, March 24-26, 2025 in Las Vegas, co-located with Bar & Restaurant Expo. Visit WorldTeaExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at World Tea Expo, or to inquire about advertising and sponsorship opportunities at World Tea News, contact:
Ellainy Karaboitis-Christopoulos, Business Development Manager, Questex
Phone: +1-212-895-8493; Email: [email protected]
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