Homemade Bubble Tea Boba Milk Tea

What Is Boba Milk Tea?

Bubble tea/ boba tea is a highly popular drink from Taiwan traditionally made with black tea, milk, and brown sugar syrup. It’s known for its sweet, creamy flavor and signature chewy tapioca balls – I mean, how often do you get to sip AND chew a drink at once?! Unfortunately, despite its popularity, it can still be tricky to find in some places, and store-bought/ bubble tea shop versions are often pricey and contain high levels of refined sugars, fats, and artificial ingredients. That’s where this homemade boba milk tea recipe shines. By making bubble milk tea at home, you get to save money while having full control of the ingredients – ditch anything artificial, and easily customize it to be dairy-free and/or refined-sugar-free. Once prepared, it’s perfectly light, creamy, and refreshing – a satisfying, indulgent drink you can enjoy year-round, warm or chilled. You might also enjoy an easy (healthy) banana milkshake or creamy mango lassi,

The Ingredients

For The Tea

Black tea: (bags or loose-leaf tea) It’s traditional to use Taiwanese/Chinese black tea, but any robust black tea works. I.e., Earl Grey, Assam, English breakfast tea. Use decaf tea if wanted. Milk: I use dairy-free milk (or creamer- for a richer drink) to make vegan bubble tea. Use any, though Barista-grade dairy-free milk will be creamiest. I.e., coconut milk, soy milk, oat milk or cream, cashew creamer, etc. Coconut condensed milk will add sweet decadence. Water: To brew the tea and cook the tapioca pearls. Ice: I use regular ice, but you can avoid diluting the drink by using black tea ice cubes. Tapioca pearls: Use quick-cooking tapioca pearls (boba pearls) OR make your own. Regular tapioca pearls will work, too, but take much longer to cook. They’re available in Asian markets or online.

Brown Sugar Syrup

Brown sugar: I like to use organic dark brown sugar. However, less refined coconut sugar or date sugar will also work (the flavor will vary). Water

Please read the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information.

How to Make Brown Sugar Boba Tea

Prepare The Tea and Syrup

First, prepare the tea by steeping the tea bags in freshly boiled water for 5-10 minutes, then leave to cool to room temperature.

Be careful not to over-steep, or it will make the tea bitter. Alternatively, avoid bitterness by cold-brewing the tea in cold water in the fridge overnight (10-12 hours).

Next, prepare the brown sugar syrup by combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Stir constantly while bringing it to a boil over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves, then remove it from the heat and leave it to cool completely.

Prepare The Tapioca Pearls

15 minutes before serving, bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and add the tapioca pearls, stirring gently to prevent sticking. Cook quick-cooking boba for 6 minutes or until they’re tender, chewy, and float to the top.

Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the pot, rinse them under cold water, and transfer the bubbles to a bowl with a little of the syrup (this helps stop them from sticking).

If you’re preparing the boba a little in advance, keep them in hot water to maintain their soft texture. They should be slightly warm when serving, as cold turns them tough.

Assemble The Bubble Milk Tea

Divide the cooked tapioca pearls among 3 large glasses and add ice cubes to each.

Pour 1 1/4 cups of the tea into each glass, then top it up with ½ cup milk.

Add a tablespoon of brown sugar syrup to each glass and stir well. Taste and adjust the amount of sweetness or milk to taste. Serve – using large boba straws or spoons to scoop up the boba.

Storage Instructions

It’s best to consume boba milk tea fresh before the tapioca pearls become tough. However, any leftover milk tea will store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

More Boba Tea Toppings and Add-Ins

Whipped coconut cream (to garnish) Jelly (coconut jelly, coffee jelly, grass jelly, etc.) Vanilla pudding (for creamy, custardy texture) Coffee (add a shot of espresso for a tasty coffee-tea blend) Chocolate milk tea (add a spoonful of cocoa powder or chocolate syrup) Extracts/Flavored syrups (vanilla, hazelnut, almond, coconut, cinnamon, ginger, etc.)

What Does Boba Tea Taste Like?

Tapioca pearls have a very subtle flavor, being used more for their satisfyingly tender yet chewy texture. The drink itself simply tastes like milk tea, sweetened with brown sugar.

Can I make boba tea with another type of tea?

Yes, you could substitute black tea with green tea, jasmine tea, or oolong tea.

Can I prepare boba milk tea in advance?

You can prepare tea and brown sugar syrup several days in advance. However, tapioca pearls are best prepared fresh – as they become tough and should be consumed within 3-4 hours.

Can I drink boba tea warm?

Yes, if you’d like.

Recipe Notes and Tips

To avoid tough boba: I prefer to prepare it fresh when serving. However, if you make it in advance, store it in hot water and consume it within 3-4 hours. Taste and adjust: One of the best things about making homemade brown sugar milk tea is being able to increase/reduce any element; boba, milk/creamer, syrup. Chill tea quickly: Place the tea container in an ice bath/freezer to enjoy it ASAP. For sweeter boba: After cooking, soak them in the brown sugar syrup for 10-15 minutes. Invest in wide straws: If you plan to make boba tea often, I highly recommend investing in reusable wide boba straws designed to be large enough to suck up the tapioca pearls.

More Drink Recipes

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If you try this easy brown sugar boba tea recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan #elavegan—I love seeing them.