Description
Boba milk tea is a refreshing and creamy beverage made with strong brewed black tea, chewy tapioca pearls, sweet brown sugar syrup, and milk. Perfectly chilled, it’s a fun and customizable drink enjoyed worldwide.
Ingredients
Scale
- 720 mL water (3 cups) – for hot brewed tea
- 24 g black tea (5 tbsp large loose tea or 12 tea bags) – for hot brew
- 720 mL water (3 cups, at room temperature, preferably filtered) – for cold brewed tea
- 36 g black tea (7 tbsp large loose tea or 18 tea bags) – for cold brew
- 1 cup easy cook boba pearls (or 1 ¼ cups for generous servings)
- 150 g brown sugar (¾ cup, or white sugar) – for sugar syrup
- 60 mL water (¼ cup) – for sugar syrup
- 960 mL whole milk (4 cups, or plant-based milk)
- Ice (optional, as needed)
Instructions
- Hot brewed tea: Place 720 mL water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil with the lid on. Once boiling, turn off the heat or lower to a simmer. Add 24 g black tea leaves (or 12 tea bags) and steep for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain and refrigerate until chilled.
- Cold brew tea: Place 36 g black tea in a French press. Add 720 mL room temperature water, stir, and press plunger just below the surface. Let steep for 12 hours, strain, and refrigerate.
- Boba pearls: Cook according to package instructions if using quick-cook pearls, or follow a homemade recipe. Once cooked, transfer pearls to a bowl with a little cooking water to prevent sticking.
- Sugar syrup: In a saucepan, combine 150 g brown sugar and 60 mL water. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and cook 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Add warm boba pearls and simmer for 1–2 minutes if needed.
- To serve: In a tall glass, add ¼ cup tapioca pearls with some sugar syrup. Pour in ½ cup brewed tea, add ice, and top with 1 cup milk. Stir and sweeten with extra syrup if desired.
Notes
- Strong tea is essential to balance the sweetness and milkiness of the drink.
- Tea may turn cloudy when chilled due to tannins, which is normal.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar syrup.
- You can substitute whole milk with oat, almond, or soy milk for a vegan version.
- Boba pearls are best enjoyed fresh and warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (excluding chilling and cold brew time)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Boiling and Brewing
- Cuisine: Taiwanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (about 16 oz / 480 mL)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: Boba milk tea, bubble tea, Taiwanese drink, milk tea with boba, homemade bubble tea, tapioca pearls recipe