Healthy mocktails and a variety of unique tea-based creations are the basis of Jinx Tea, a new Linden Hills tea shop that opened in May 2019 after launching the food truck version of the tea shop in summer 2018.
The company was founded by Jennifer Wills, her husband and former Dunn Bros. Coffee Co. CEO Chris Eilers, as well as Chris’ son Sam Eilers.
“It’s super fun because it reminds me of where specialty coffee was in its infancy,” Chris Eilers said from the shop in an interview recently. “It’s exciting and it’s rewarding.”
Between Eilers’ high-profile background in coffee and the powerful local partners the trio is working with, Jinx Tea is set up for success. Nate Uri, owner and creator of Minneapolis-based Prohibition Kombucha, made the menu. Jinx Tea also works with Verdant Tea, which imports its black, green, and white teas from Chinese tea farmers. They also sell baked goods from Rustica Bakery.
So what exactly can you find at Jinx Tea? Wills explains.
“This is tea like you’ve never had before,” she said. “Our Woke Punch takes beautiful pink hibiscus tea, flavors it with pineapple, mango, cinnamon, and lavender, and then gives it a fizzy jolt of carbonation. Our Cherry Blossom is simple and elegant, with white jasmine tea and spring green tea blended with cherry and lemon. We use carbonation, nitro infusion or tapioca pearls to play with textures, offer both hot and cold options, and just try to keep everything interesting so our drinks still feel like an indulgence— but without the carbs, and with as little sugar as we can get away with.”
Their lineup of offerings also includes growlers of the Woke Punch, crafted cold and crafted hot drinks, loose leaf teas, tea accessories and more. They even intend to teach tea classes at some point in the future.
“Tea is really uncharted territory in terms of making it approachable,” Chris Eilers said.
With its long list of health benefits, Wills said tea is becoming more popular. It speaks to people who are health conscious, working on decreasing sugar, trying a “sober curious” lifestyle or even detoxing after the holidays. In fact, January is sometimes dubbed “Dryuary,” or “Dry January,” referring to a month off from alcoholic beverages after New Year’s and other holiday celebrations have passed, leaving people feeling hungover from the celebratory food feasts, cocktails and imbibing.
Regardless of someone’s reason for turning to tea, Jinx Tea’s goal is to offer something for everyone, no matter what level of experience someone has with tea.
“Our menu satisfies that urge to explore and taste something new, without relying on energy-draining shortcuts like loads of sugar, fat, caffeine, or alcohol,” Wills said. “We’re so proud to help people take a break and recharge while taking a chance on a new flavor, because they trust us to use fresh, unprocessed ingredients. Whether they are trying their first neon orchid butterfly-pea flower iced tea or turning a friend on to the magic of less-sweet bubble tea, we know they’ll leave Jinx Tea feeling refreshed.”
Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.
