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0 from 6 votes

Bubble Tea (Boba Milk Tea)

Skip the pricey stores and make refreshingly sweetened Bubble Tea at home! Make it once, and you'll see how easy it is and way tastier!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 280 kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients

For the Tea
  • 4 cups water
  • ¼ cup loose-leaf Chinese breakfast black tea (see note)
For the Tapioca
  • 1 cup tapioca pearls
  • ½ cup dark brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup water
To Assemble
  • ice
  • ½ cup half and half

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the tea and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 2 minutes. Take off the heat and steep for 5 minutes.
  2. Using a fine-mesh sieve, strain the tea into a large heat-proof bowl. Discard the leaves. Let the tea cool to room temperature, then place it in the fridge to chill.
  3. Cook the tapioca pearls per the package directions. Then place them in a medium-sized heat-proof bowl. Set aside.
  4. Place the brown sugar and water into a medium saucepan and stir to combine. Place the pot over medium heat, bring it to a simmer, and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly the whole time. (Be very careful as this can boil over easily.) Take the pot off the heat if it starts to rapidly boil.
  5. The syrup should be slightly thickened once simmered. Pour the warm syrup over the tapioca and stir to combine. Let cool to room temperature, do not refrigerate.
  6. To serve: Add the tapioca pearls with some of the syrup to the bottom of four large glasses. Top with ice. Add 1 cup of the tea to each glass. Add 1-2 tablespoons of half and half to each glass to your taste. Gently stir to combine.

Notes

  • This boba tea is not overly sweet even though the pearls sit in brown sugar syrup. If you like it sweeter, add more of the brown sugar syrup to the glass. You can also add simple syrup to your taste.
  • I like to use half and half to give the tea a little richness. Instead of half and half, you can use milk, or heavy cream.
  • I used loose-leaf Chinese breakfast tea. You can use any black tea you like. You can also use tea bags, you will need 4 tea bags for this recipe.
  • This boba tea is not overly sweet even though the pearls sit in brown sugar syrup. If you like it sweeter, add more of the brown sugar syrup to the glass. You can also add simple syrup to your taste.
  • I like to use half and half to give the tea a little richness. Instead of half and half, you can use milk, or heavy cream.
  • I used loose-leaf Chinese breakfast tea. You can use any black tea you like. You can also use tea bags, you will need 4 tea bags for this recipe.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1bubble tea Calories 280kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 62g (21%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 11mg (4%) Sodium 39mg (2%) Potassium 81mg (2%) Fiber 0.3g (1%) Sugar 29g (58%) Vitamin A 107IU (2%) Vitamin C 0.3mg (0%) Calcium 70mg (7%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 280

% Daily Value*

Serving 1bubble tea
Calories 280kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 62g 21%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 39mg 2%
Potassium 81mg 2%
Fiber 0.3g 1%
Sugar 29g 58%
Vitamin A 107IU 2%
Vitamin C 0.3mg 0%
Calcium 70mg 7%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.