Bubble Tea

Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, first appeared in Taiwan but has recently exploded in popularity in the US. It’s made with tea, milk, sweetener and tapioca, and there are so many ways to personalize each cup. Our bubble tea recipe shows you how to make boba tea right in your home’s kitchen. We even include fun flavoring ideas so you can really re-create a bubble tea shop’s menu.

What is bubble tea?

Bubble tea is a Taiwanese tea drink flavored with milk or fruit (or sometimes both) that has marble-sized tapioca balls at the bottom of the cup. This drink can be made with all sorts of tea—from plain black, jasmine or oolong tea to fruity herbal tea like strawberry, melon or mango.

Bubble tea is most known for its iconic bubbles (also known as pearls, boba or tapioca) that are soft, chewy and a little sweet. People also enjoy other unexpected add-ins like grass jelly (similar to Jell-O) or cheese foam (which resembles whipped cream).

Bubble Tea Ingredients

• Tapioca pearls: These can be found premade in Asian markets in the packaged goods aisle often near the teas. You can also find them on Amazon or Weee!. Because they come dehydrated and vacuum sealed, you’ll need to cook them to enjoy. While you’re at it, you can get a boba straw, which allows you to slurp up the large tapioca pearls.
• Tea bags: You can use any tea, like black tea, jasmine, oolong, matcha or even fruit-infused teas, to make boba tea. Steep the tea as you normally would, then chill the drink.
• Sweetener: Just as you might add sugar or honey to coffee, you can customize your boba tea with a sweetener of choice. Typically, when you get bubble tea at a boba cafe, they add a simple syrup made from brown sugar or honey for sweetness, unless they’re using condensed milk. However, you can use something simple like honey or agave.
• Milk: You can really use any milk in bubble tea recipes. Skim, 2%, whole, heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk or even a nondairy milk could be used to make boba tea.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the tapioca pearls

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Bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add in the tapioca pearls, and cook them until they float to the top. Cook the tapioca pearls for an additional one minute, then drain and set them aside.

Editor’s Tip: Be sure to check the package directions for the best results, as some brands may have larger or smaller pearls.

Step 2: Brew your tea

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Steep the two tea bags in 2 cups of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.

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Fill two glass jars or glasses with ice cubes. Pour the steeped tea over the ice.

Editor’s Tip: Pouring the steeped tea over ice is the quicker way to chill it, but the technique does dilute the tea a bit. Instead, if you have the time, chill the tea in the fridge.

Step 3: Add the flavor

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Stir in your sweetener and milk of choice. Place the cooked tapioca pearls in each glass, and stir gently to combine. Serve the bubble tea immediately.

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Bubble Tea Variations

• Try black milk tea or Hong Kong milk tea: This classic bubble tea includes black tea (standard Lipton works fine) and condensed milk.
• Make taro milk tea: Use taro root powder and milk for a creamy, delicious, refreshing tea.
• Create Thai milk tea: Use Thai tea leaves, condensed milk and tapioca pearls for a sweet caffeine kick.
• Include strawberries: Use strawberry-flavored tea and garnish it with fresh strawberries.
• Use matcha: Matcha lovers can turn their favorite drink into bubble tea by infusing the green tea powder with the usual boba ingredients.
• Prep brown sugar milk tea or tiger milk tea: Use a brown sugar simple syrup in the drink to give the milk a sweet, molasses-y toastiness.

How to Store Bubble Tea

If you have leftovers of your drink that you want to keep for later, simply cover the cup with storage wrap and pop the drink in the fridge. It can last for up to 24 hours.

Can you make this bubble tea recipe ahead of time?

You can make components of the bubble tea recipe ahead of time, but we don’t recommend combining it all together until you’re ready to serve. Boil the tapioca pearls ahead of time and be sure to store them in the fridge submerged in simple syrup. You can also brew the tea ahead of time and let it chill in the fridge, just make sure to discard the tea leaves once your tea has brewed so it doesn’t oversteep.

Bubble Tea Tips

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How do I make tapioca pearls?

If you want to make homemade tapioca pearls, stir two parts tapioca starch with one part boiling water until you achieve a dough-like consistency. Form the dough into small pearls, then boil them in water over medium-high heat. When the boba reaches your desired consistency, remove them from the pot and add them to the tea.

How do I keep boba soft and chewy?

Just as you don’t overcook pasta, you want to keep an eye on your boba as it cooks to make sure it maintains that nice chew. Once they float to the top, let them cook one minute more and then strain immediately. Give them a rinse with cool water and immediately transfer the tapioca pearls to a bowl or jar with simple syrup. Adding them to the simple syrup keeps them soft and chewy while also adding a nice sweetness.

Can I make a dairy-free version of bubble tea?

Bubble tea can be made however you’d like it, including with dairy-free options using nondairy milk alternatives like oat, hemp, almond, soy or rice milk. The tapioca pearls are naturally vegan since they’re made with tapioca flour, which is derived from the cassava root.

Is bubble tea healthy?

You can learn how to make boba tea as wholesome or indulgent as you’d like, just as with coffee! Adding sweeteners or fruit juices will increase the amount of sugar consumed. The tapioca pearls are made from cassava, which contains no fat or cholesterol, though they’re high in calories and carbs. For a wholesome tea beverage, check out Thai tea.