Year 2012, back when a lot of milk tea places were popping out like mushrooms here and there. I was told about this particular drink spot partly-owned by PBA player/TV Host- Chris Tiu called “Happy Lemon,” and its most famous signature drink “Cocoa with Rock Salt & Cheese.”
I was immediately intrigued, not entirely because of my then workmates'(Hi! Van and Dale!) persuasive ‘selling’ skills, but mostly because of how very unique and effective I thought its branding was- Rocksalt and Cheese on an ice blended refreshment, I mean, who would have thought of that?
As most of us may have already known, the drink is meant to be consumed without the straw to experience the layering of flavors…
I promised myself to taste as many variants but for years now that I have been frequenting their stores both in SM Megamall and Shangri-La hoping to try their other offerings, I have not tasted any of the rest of their variants other than Cocoa with Rocksalt and Cheese.
I don’t know how anything in their roster of drinks can compare to the awesomeness of the Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese. Of course I have seen how they have played with most of their drinks, even adding ingredients such as my childhood loves- Yakult and Milo powder to some of it. But whether they are doing this in the intent of teasing customers, my loyalty remains with the Rocksalt!
My addiction to the drink became worse after I realized that Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese does not have “tea” in it at all! And to my surprise…it didn’t actually have rock salt on it, just a hint of salt on its cheese component. Bottomline, it was the perfect drink for me and I didn’t care about the number of calories I’m consuming with my every indulgence of it.
And… my now 5 year old daughter seemed to have dig that craving too. It was like love at first ‘sip’ for her as well.
Anyway, reading through how this post originally went on for about a few more dragging blah-blahs… I’ve decided to just cut to the chase, and go straight to where probably most of my readers are really after… THE RECIPE, that is.
Just a disclaimer though, I did not steal this recipe neither did I bribe any of Happy Lemon’s staff to get it, well, to be honest I did try to squeeze some information but failed. I am not even sure if I am doing this right, although it tasted sooo right. And so, I am sharing it with you.
So here you go…
Cocoa with Rocksalt and Cheese Happy Lemon style
Cheese: half a bar of creamcheese; 1/4 cup of condensed milk; 1/3 cup of whipping cream
Cocoa: 1 tablespoon cocoa; hot water; 1 tablespoon sugar; fresh milk; ice cubes
To make the cheese, simply mix the three ingredients using an electric mixer. For faster mixing, soften the creamcheese first. Do not overdo or underdo the mixing otherwise it will either get too thick or too soft it will sink.
To make the cocoa, simply get a mug put in the cocoa and sugar add a little hot water then mix. Once it’s blended, transfer it in a tall glass, add milk and the ice. Carefully put the blended cheese on top of your cocoa drink using a spoon (work on the side). Sprinkle a dash of sifted cocoa powder on top and tadaah! you got yourself the awesomest drink in town!
TRIVIA: Did you know that Happy Lemon’s origin is China? And its signature drink Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese has been considered as a testament to Chinese creativity? It is China’s version of chocolate milk with foam. Some call it a “cheese creamsicle” or cocoa, rock salt and cheese blended into a cup of milk.
Let me know if you tried this recipe, and how it went, okay? Bye. #jnv
20 Responses
Looks refreshing mommy ๐ Sarap lang mag-explore sa drink. Pero true parang kakaiba yung taste of salt and cheese? Would want to try this out din ๐
I’m not fond of tea so until now I haven’t tried any popular milk tea. Ang daming cream cheese, 1/2 bar.
Looks yummy. I’ll try to do it on holiday. Hopefully, kasing sarap sya ng happy lemon.. ๐
Ang intense ng tingin ni baby sa drink, may masamang balak! Haha! Would you believe I haven’t tried Happy Lemon yet? Your post just made me decide to try it once and for all!
Wow, I would like to try this. Thanks for sharing!
I love the cocoa with rock salt too ๐ Though I was too lazy to line up before in Happy Lemon. OA lagi ang pila in Greenhills. Lol! Thanks for sharing this. I wanna give it a try too ๐
Galing! I never thought of making a homemade Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese! Thanks so much for the recipe! ๐
Wow, I’ve never tried Happy Lemon before but your description of your favorite drink there makes me want to find the nearest branch now!
Wow. Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese is our fave Happy Lemon drink too. Thank you for the recipe ๐
What a brilliant idea! Now, you don’t have to spend a lot for your favorite drink. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
We thought of making our own rock salt and cheese before but seeing “Pink Himalayan Salt” and other weird ingredients needed for the drink, tinamad na kami. :p
I’m not much into tea but it sound’s like an interesting drink!
it is… and it’s not tea based… it’s cocoa and lots of cream ๐ try it.
I tried Happy Lemon once (buti na lang I don’t get addicted to it) hehehe. Glad you have your own version -at least anytime you want it, you can prepare if you have the ingredients at home. ๐
too creamy for me! hahaha isang sip lang takbo na ako sa CR eh ๐
I prefer ung parang ganitong blend ng Cha Time ๐
if you don’t have a sweet tooth, you can still try this, just adjust the level of sweetness according to your desired taste ๐
Thank you for this! I will be trying it out very soon – I recently returned from a three-week visit to Manila during which I consumed FAR too many of these! Can’t wait to recreate them here at home. There are a few US Happy Lemon locations but none near me!
Oh thank you. I’m glad I could help. Yes this (cocoa with rocksalt and cheese drink by Happy Lemon) is the best thing that ever happened to milk teas! Can’t get enough of it. All calories worth it.
Hi sis! So glad I was stumbled on this post. I love Cocoa Rock salt and cheese of happy lemon too!!! Like sobra.haha! I feel you dun sa pagka-obsessed mo sa RSC. ๐ Never imagined ang dali lang pala nya gawin at home. Will try this very soon. ๐
Thank you for reading.. may I know who this is please? I kind of feel that I know you! I’d love to hear about the result of your own homemade cocoa with rocksalt and cheese! Do share it with me