Quick Answer
A milkshake is made with milk and ice cream and tastes rich; a smoothie blends fresh fruit or vegetables with yogurt, milk or ice; a slush is crushed ice with flavored syrup. In Taiwan the word “bing sha” can mean either a smoothie or a slush, so state clearly on your menu whether a drink contains dairy.
Compared side by side
| Drink | Main ingredients | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Milkshake | Milk, ice cream | Rich and smooth |
| Smoothie | Fruit or vegetables with yogurt, milk or ice | Thick, fruity |
| Slush | Crushed ice with flavored syrup | Icy and refreshing |
Which one is a bubble tea shop “smoothie”?
Most bubble tea shops blend ice, syrup or fruit jam and smoothie powder in a blender, landing between a slush and a smoothie; adding milk or creamer brings it close to a milkshake. Smoothie powder keeps the texture creamy and stops separation; see what smoothie powder is.
Basic shop method
- Base: fruit jam, fruit syrup, or fruit such as mango or strawberry.
- Ice and smoothie powder: the ice ratio sets the texture; the powder helps emulsify and stabilize.
- Blend: follow your blender settings and stop once smooth to avoid melting.
- Label: mark drinks containing milk, yogurt or creamer for allergy and vegetarian customers.
Naming on an English menu
Use Mango Smoothie for a dairy version and Mango Slush for a dairy-free icy version; use Milkshake for ice cream drinks. More ordering phrases: ordering bubble tea in English.
How Tang Sugar can help
Tang Sugar supplies smoothie and flavor powders, fruit jams and syrups, plus blenders and other bubble tea equipment, quoted together and shipped in one container.
Products in this article
All 22 Canned Dessert Toppings →
FAQ
Smoothie vs milkshake?
A milkshake is based on milk and ice cream; a smoothie is fruit blended with yogurt, milk or ice and may not contain dairy.
What is a slush?
A slush is crushed ice with flavored syrup, like the frozen drinks sold in convenience stores.
Is “bing sha” a smoothie or a slush?
It can be either. In Taiwan the word covers fruit smoothies and icy slushes, so check whether it contains dairy.
Do you need smoothie powder?
Not always, but it keeps the texture creamy and prevents separation, which helps shops stay consistent.
Related Reading
What Is Smoothie Powder? How Bubble Tea Shops Make Smoothies, What the Powder Does and Flavor Choices
How to Use Fruit Jam in Bubble Tea: Fruit Pulp Jam in Fruit Teas, Smoothies and Desserts
How to Make Yogurt Drinks for a Bubble Tea Shop: Yogurt Powder, Yogurt Syrup and Fruit PairingsTaiwan StoriesHow to Order Bubble Tea in Taiwan: Sugar and Ice Levels in English — Half Sugar, Less Ice, No Ice and Add BobaAlso see: Flavor powders (products)
