Bubble Tea Drink (Boba Milk Tea)

Hot brewed tea

1. Place the water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil with the lid on. Once it comes to a boil, turn off the heat, or lower to a simmer.
2. Add the tea leaves (or tea bags). Let the tea steep in the hot water for about 10 - 15 minutes. OR let the tea gently simmer (with the lid on) for 10 - 15 minutes. Stir the tea leaves to ensure that the tea absorbs the water to properly infuse. (See notes)
3. Strain the tea leaves. Gently apply a little pressure to remove some of the liquid in the tea leaves, but don't squeeze too much. You should have about 2 - 2¼ cups of strongly brewed tea. Please taste the tea at this stage as it should taste very strong, with extremely strong tannin flavor.
4. Place the tea in the fridge to cool down. It will get cloudy as it cools down because of the high tannins in the strong tea.

Cold brew tea

1. Place the tea leaves in a French press.
2. Pour the room temperature water into the French press and stir the leaves to make sure they are saturated with water.
3. Press the French press plunger until the tea leaves are just below the surface of the water, so that they remain submerged in the water.
4. Let the tea leaves steep for 12 hours at room temperature. Strain the tea leaves, and place the tea in the fridge to cool down.

Boba pearls

1. If you’re using homemade boba pearls, follow my recipe on how to make boba pearls to cook them.
2. If you’re using quick cook boba pearls, follow the directions on the package to cook the boba pearls.
3. When the boba pearls have been cooked, remove the pearls from the water and place them in a bowl with some of the cooking water (to prevent the boba pearls from sticking together).

Sugar syrup

1. Place the sugar and water in a saucepan and stir to combine. Heat over medium heat while stirring to melt all of the sugar.
2. Let the syrup come to a boil. Cook for a further 2 - 3 minutes, until the syrup has thickened up slightly.
3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the boba pearls from the cooking water, and add the warm boba pearls into the sugar syrup and stir to ensure the pearls are not sticking together. Simmer for a further 1 - 2 minutes IF NEEDED to get a syrup-like consistency.
4. Use the pearls while they are slightly warm.

To serve

1. In a glass (11 - 12 oz), place ¼ cup of tapioca pearls, along with some of the sugar syrup.
2. Pour about ½ cup of brewed tea per drink. The tea should be chilled or at least at room temperature (if you’re adding ice).
3. Add ice, and then add 1 cup of milk per drink. Stir to combine. Taste and add more sugar syrup if you'd like the drink sweeter.