Boba Milk Tea
Learn how to make classic Boba Milk Tea at home with this easy and customizable recipe! Featuring chewy tapioca pearls, sweetened milk tea, and your choice of toppings, this refreshing Taiwanese drink is perfect for hot days or a fun treat anytime.
Ingredients
- Tea Base
- 8 black tea bags
- OR
- 2 tablespoons loose-leaf black tea
- 4 cups hot water
- Tapioca Pearls
- ¾ cup quick-cooking tapioca pearls
- Optional: white tapioca pearls for a lighter look
- Milk Mixture
- 1½ cups whole milk or any milk of your choice
- 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk optional, for added richness
- Sweetener
- ¼ cup simple syrup
- OR
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar syrup
- Sugar Syrup for soaking boba
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup dark muscovado sugar or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons black tea leaves optional, for added depth
- Ice & Final Touch
- Ice cubes as needed
- Wide-opening straws for serving
Instructions
- Brew the Tea
- Boil 4 cups of water.
- Add tea bags or loose-leaf tea.
- Let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Strain and set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Cook the Tapioca Pearls
- In a separate pot, bring water to a boil.
- Add boba pearls and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until they float.
- Remove using a slotted spoon and rinse under cold water.
- Set aside in a bowl.
- Make the Sugar Syrup
- Combine ½ cup water and ½ cup sugar in a small saucepan.
- Add tea leaves if using.
- Simmer until sugar dissolves completely.
- Cool the syrup, then pour over the boba pearls.
- Let soak for at least 20 minutes.
- Mix the Milk
- In a bowl, combine milk with sweetened condensed milk.
- Stir well and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Assemble the Drink
- Divide soaked boba into 4 glasses.
- Add ice cubes to each glass.
- Pour in 1 cup of cooled tea per glass.
- Add 2–3 tablespoons of the milk mixture.
- Adjust sweetness with syrup if needed.
- Stir gently and insert a wide straw.
Notes
- Tea Base: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Do not add sweetener until ready to use.
- Cooked Boba: Best enjoyed fresh. If storing, keep pearls in syrup at room temperature for up to 4–6 hours. Avoid refrigerating, as they will harden.
- Assembled Drink: If needed, store in the fridge and consume within 24 hours. Stir before serving.
- Reheating Pearls (Optional): To soften leftover boba, warm gently in syrup for 10–15 seconds in the microwave.