To celebrate the launch of Final Fantasy XIV’s hugely-anticipated Dawntrail expansion, global tea chain Gong Cha has launched a pretty sweet promotion where fans can order from three specially-branded drinks served in themed cups – and potentially score an exclusive in-game mount for their trouble. And the good news is, Aussie and NZ stores are included!
The three drinks come rebadged in Final Fantasy XIV form as the Fat Cat Purrfect Latte, Fat Chocobo’s Flying Smoothie and Cactuar Matcha Latte, and in most stores come served in their own, adorable custom cups. Ordering three drinks in one transaction will also net Gong Cha customers an incredibly limited code for a special Porxie King Mount in-game in Final Fantasy XIV.
I was able to go in and visit a Gong Cha location in the Melbourne CBD to celebrate the launch of the drinks and promotion with a taste test, and was even greeted by some cosplayers and staff excitedly preparing for the coming onslaught of players looking to nab that mount.
While there, I swapped out my usual breakfast of absolutely nothing for one of the Cactuar Matcha Lattes. A matcha latte isn’t my usual bubble tea order but the plastic cub adorned with my favourite Final Fantasy mob was far too hard to pass up – and the drink certainly hit the spot. I’m bummed that Gong Cha isn’t also offering reusable cups with these designs to purchase separately, like we’ve seen for things like Pokémon at other chains, but I’m happy to have washed and put away my cactuar cup to look fondly at later on.
started my day right (with a Cactuar Matcha Latte) #gifted pic.twitter.com/TW7bA9KvFo
— Kieron (@hash_braun) July 17, 2024
Although the promo is set to run all the way until August 29th, early fan reports suggest that Gong Cha locations are seeing a lot of traction from this promotion so if you’re after the mount you’ll probably be wanting to call or visit your local like, yesterday, or if you just want to try out the drinks and take home a cute plastic cup you’ll hopefully fare better. It’s worth noting that the drink recipes themselves will remain available as part of the regular menu, under their usual names.
