Elevation Tea Co., 1383 McAnsh Square, Sarasota, 941-202-9696. elevationteaco.com.

The concept? Take decadent ice cream, pair it with brewed looseleaf tea, combine it in a cup, and top it with a French macaron. Voila, you have a next-level libation at Elevation Tea Company. The new locale, which opened on May 14 in downtown Sarasota, is the pride of owner Jennifer Martinez, whose teas are also available at the Sarasota Farmers Market and The Market at Lakewood Ranch.

“Our vision for our shop is to bring healthy drinks to the community in a fun way,” Martinez says. “We’re passionate about tea.”

It shows. For example, the Berry Happy Float (a blend of black raspberry ice cream, Berry Bliss Tea, and a French raspberry macaron) is pink-hued perfection—setting the tone for other standouts like the Matcha Madness Float with strawberry ice cream, Japanese matcha green tea and a matcha macaron. In every drink, the tea is undoubtedly the key. The Purple Lemonade tastes like lemonade, “but, by using Kenya Purple Tea as the base, it has 15 times more antioxidants than acai and blueberries,” Martinez says. The natural Root Beer Spritzer is made with only roots and herbs (which hold healing properties), blended with sparkling water and sugar, and tastes like an authentic root beer soda.

“Here, the looseleaf tea is the ‘star of the show,’” Martinez says.

Pictured:  The Berry Happy Float at Elevation Tea Company combines black raspberry ice cream with Berry Bliss Tea, and is garnished with a French raspberry macaron. Photo courtesy of Elevation Tea Company

Elevation Tea Co., 1383 McAnsh Square, Sarasota, 941-202-9696. elevationteaco.com.

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