How To Make Bubble Tea

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How to make bubble tea (boba milk tea) with store-bought or homemade tapioca pearls in delicious brown sugar syrup. This brown sugar milk tea is simple, sweet, creamy, and refreshing!

Two glasses with bubble milk tea

Recently I shared the “proper” method for making British milk tea and it reminded me of the other big milk tea love of my life – bubble tea (aka boba tea). Although this Taiwanese treat can be fairly easy to find in big cities, that’s not often the case in the countryside – which is where making it at home comes in handy.

This brown sugar milk tea recipe combines sticky, sweet tapioca pearls in brown sugar syrup with milk tea and ice for a simple, refreshing drink you can enjoy year-round!

By making it at home, you get to save money, can adjust the amount of sugar added, make it with dairy or dairy-free milk, with or without tea – the variations are plenty! Best of all, you only need 5 ingredients and as little as 20 minutes to prepare this brown sugar milk tea with boba.

A hand holding a glass with bubble milk tea

What Is Bubble Tea (Boba Tea)?

Bubble tea is known by various names, including pearl milk tea, bubble milk tea, boba tea, tapioca milk tea, etc. All of which refer to a tea-based drink from Taiwan that became popular in the 1980s. It combines milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls (also called boba, bubbles, or tapioca balls) and can be enjoyed warm or chilled, though these days it’s mostly the latter sucked up through a big boba/fat straw.

The classic versions of this boba drink were made with black tea, oolong tea, or green tea and tapioca pearls that look like bubbles at the bottom of the glass. Though these days, there are many non-tea-based bubble tea recipes too (including milk-based and fruit juices), and “bubbles” and other toppings that are flavored (like mango tapioca balls) or aren’t tapioca based. These include aloe vera jelly, sago, popping boba, coconut jelly, mango, strawberry, and other jelly flavors. Meaning you’ll never get bored.

Tapioca pearls in a bowl

What Is Brown Sugar Milk Tea?

For this boba tea recipe, I’m sharing a recipe for brown sugar milk tea (also called a Mudflip or Tiger milk tea when the syrup is drizzled down the side of the cup, imitating tiger stripes). This drink combines a simple black milk tea with brown sugar syrup and tapioca balls. Though there are caffeine-free versions that rely on just milk.

The Ingredients

There are only 4 base bubble tea ingredients plus water and optional vanilla:

  • Black tea: Use your favorite black tea leaves or tea bags.

Traditionally, Chinese breakfast tea is used for bubble milk tea. You can use that, English breakfast tea, or even Earl Grey. Avoid teas that are fairly weak in flavor since the milk and sugar combination will overpower the flavor.

  • Water: To make up the black tea base and prepare the brown sugar syrup.
  • Milk: You can use dairy or non-dairy milk (such as coconut milk, oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk) and adjust the fat level (i.e., skim, 2%, whole milk, etc.). For a super creamy boba milk tea, use half and half.
  • Vanilla extract: (optional) Add some natural vanilla extract for an even more dessert-like flavor.
  • Brown Sugar: You can use regular dark brown sugar or even dark muscovado sugar for a deeper, rich molasses flavor.
  • Tapioca balls: You can use store-bought quick-cook tapioca pearls (or regular ones, though they take much longer to cook), which can be found in many Asian grocery stores or online. Alternatively, make your own tapioca balls (which I do).
  • Ice cubes: Technically optional but a popular (and usual) addition to bubble milk tea.
Ingredients for making bubble milk tea

Boba tea straws (there are reusable versions available) would also be a good idea. Otherwise, you’ll need to serve the brown sugar boba tea with a spoon to fish out all the boba balls.

Optional Add-ins and Variations

There are several simple ways to adjust this brown sugar milk tea recipe, including:

  • Other tea: You could substitute black tea for green tea or oolong tea.
  • Without tea: Brown sugar milk tea doesn’t necessarily have to have tea in it. Simply omit the tea entirely and just use milk with the brown sugar syrup and tapioca balls.
  • Without milk: Yes, you can even enjoy this bubble tea with no milk for a more robust flavor.
  • Sweetener: Instead of the brown sugar syrup, you could use another sweetener like white sugar, honey, agave, date syrup, etc. You could even use condensed milk for a creamier boba milk tea, then reduce the amount of added milk.
  • Coffee jelly OR Coconut jelly: This would make for a delicious extra topping in this brown sugar boba tea.

How to Make Bubble Tea?

Step 1: Steep the Tea

Bring water to just under a boil.

Add the black tea (tea bags or tea leaves) into a teapot and then pour the water over them, leaving it to steep for 5 minutes.

Steeping black tea in a pot

Depending on how strong you want the brew, you can leave it for up to 10 minutes. However, I prefer 5-7 minutes as it can become bitter if over-brewed due to the release of extra bitter tannins.

The Cold Brew Method: When making any iced tea, doing a cold brew can reduce any bitter flavor. To do so, add the tea to the bottom of a jug and pour over cool water. Leave it to brew in the fridge for between 10-12 hours (or overnight). I recommend adding an extra spoonful or so of tea to extract maximum flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Boba

If you aren’t using store-bought tapioca balls, you’ll first need to prepare the boba and cook them according to my recipe.

If using quick cook boba pearls, cook them according to their package instructions (usually 3-5 minutes). Stir them occasionally to avoid sticking.

Once cooked, drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of cold water or leave under running cold water. This will help prevent them from sticking to one another.

Steps for cooking tapioca

Step 3: Prepare the Brown Sugar Syrup

I like to do this simultaneously while cooking the boba, so it’s ready as soon as the boba is cooked. For more notes and tips, read this simple syrup recipe.

Add the water and brown sugar to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the brown sugar has completely dissolved and is simmering.

Then cook for a further 3-4 minutes to slightly thicken up.

Transfer the cooked tapioca balls to the syrup and mix well.

Tapioca pearls in sugar syrup on a pan

Step 4: Assemble the brown sugar milk tea

In a tall glass (like a latte glass), add the brown sugar boba mixture to the bottom (or portion them out if making several servings).

The amount of brown sugar boba mixture you add is adaptable. However, I recommend around 1/3 cup boba/syrup mixture + 1 cup tea + around 1/4 cup milk and ice.

Then, pour the milk over the top and add your milk of choice.

Finally, stir well and enjoy!

Steps for making milk bubble tea

To get the tiger streak effect: After placing the syrup in the cup, swirl it around so it coats the sides in syrup. Then add the milk.

Storage Instructions

The black tea: You can brew the tea 2-3 days in advance and store it in the fridge. It will technically be fine for up to 5 days, but the best flavor and freshness is within 3.

The milk tea (black tea and milk) will also store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Tapioca pearls: You can prepare & store your own tapioca balls (uncooked) 6 months in advance. I don’t recommend cooking them in advance, as their texture changes fairly quickly and they become unpleasant to eat.

If you cook too many tapioca balls, you can store them in the sugar syrup in the fridge for up to a day. Reheat them with a splash of water in a microwave or saucepan.

Brown sugar syrup: Simple syrups can be prepared and stored for several (3-4) weeks in the refrigerator.

Once fully assembled, it’s best to enjoy the brown sugar boba tea immediately for the best flavor and texture, particularly of the tapioca balls.

A hand holding a glass with bubble milk tea

FAQs

What are the bubbles in bubble tea?

The bubbles are otherwise called boba balls or tapioca balls and are made from tapioca starch (also called tapioca flour) taken from the cassava root. These little starch balls are boiled until tender but chewy.

Is bubble tea healthy?

In stores, bubble tea is loaded with sugar and often heavy dairy. However, when making this boba milk tea recipe at home, you can adjust the amount of sugar added. More so, you can use the milk of your choice, meaning you can easily make it a healthier treat.
However, that being said, bubble milk tea isn’t a “diet” recipe by any means.

Does bubble tea have caffeine?

This boba tea recipe does as it contains black tea. However, you could use decaf tea or even omit the tea entirely (as many boba tea recipes do!). Just because it’s called bubble tea doesn’t mean that tea is necessary.

What is boba tea vs. bubble tea?

They are exactly the same thing, referred to by different names depending on the location.

What does boba tea taste like?

This really depends on what you add to it.
For example, this brown sugar boba tea tastes like an iced milk tea with a caramel-like sweetness thanks to the use of brown sugar syrup. The amount and type of milk you use will affect the flavor. Likewise, the exact type of black tea you use will affect the flavor.
For example, English breakfast tea is full-bodied and robust like Earl Grey. However, the addition of bergamot oil to Earl Grey makes for noticeable bergamot notes. Meanwhile, Chinese black tea will have a unique flavor too. You could also use green tea or oolong or skip it entirely for a caramel-y brown sugar boba milk.

How to make milk tea without boba?

Simply prepare the syrup and tea without the tapioca balls and mix. For example, you could use coffee jelly or coconut jelly instead of boba. Or, skip any mix-ins and just enjoy the brown sugar-sweetened iced milk tea.

Recipe Tips and Notes

  • Adjust the sweetness: By simply adjusting the amount of brown sugar you add to the boba milk tea recipe.
  • Adjust the amount of milk: You can adjust this to taste.
  • Make the boba pearls fresh: They stiffen as they cool and lose their chewy texture, not keeping well.
  • For extra flavor: You can slowly braise the cooked tapioca balls in the brown sugar caramel or allow them to steep in the mixture for 30 minutes, so they’re infused with flavor.

More Tea Recipes

If you try this brown sugar boba tea recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!

How To Make Bubble Tea? (Boba Tea | Brown Sugar Milk Tea)

5 from 19 votes
By: Samira
How to make bubble tea (boba milk tea) with store-bought or homemade tapioca pearls in delicious brown sugar syrup. This brown sugar milk tea is simple, sweet, creamy, and refreshing!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2

Equipment

  • Boba straws or serve the bubble tea with a spoon to fish out the boba

Ingredients 
 

  • 2.7 oz uncooked tapioca balls 1/2 cup; use homemade or quick-cook tapioca balls
  • 5 cups water to cook the tapioca

Brown Sugar Syrup

  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar dark brown sugar OR dark muscovado for more molasses flavor
  • 2 Tbsp water

Milk Tea

  • 1 Tbsp black tea leaves or one teabag. Use a robust tea like Chinese breakfast tea, English breakfast tea, or Earl Grey
  • 2 cups boiling water to brew the tea
  • 1/2 cup milk You can use dairy or non-dairy milk (such as coconut milk, oat milk, almond milk, or soymilk) and adjust the fat level (i.e., skim, 2%, whole milk, etc.). For a super creamy boba milk tea, use half and half.
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla optional

Instructions 

Step 1: Steep the Tea

  • Bring water to just under a boil.
  • Add the black tea (tea bags or tea leaves) into a teapot and then pour the water over them, leaving it to steep for 5 minutes.
    Depending on how strong you want the brew, you can leave it for up to 10 minutes. However, I prefer between 5-7 minutes as it can become bitter if over-brewed due to the release of extra bitter tannins.
  • The Cold Brew Method: When making any iced tea, doing a cold brew can reduce any bitter flavor. To do so, add the tea to the bottom of a jug and pour over cool water, then leave it to brew in the fridge for between 10-12 hours (I usually leave it overnight). I recommend adding an extra spoonful or so of tea to extract maximum flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Boba

  • If you aren't using store-bought tapioca balls, you’ll first need to prepare the boba and cook them according to my recipe.
    If using quick cook boba pearls, cook them according to their package instructions (usually 3-5 minutes). Stir them occasionally to avoid sticking.
  • Once cooked, drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of cold water or leave under running cold water. This will help prevent them from sticking to one another.

Step 3: Prepare the brown sugar syrup

  • I like to do this simultaneously while cooking the boba, so it’s ready as soon as the boba is cooked. For more notes and tips, check my simple syrup recipe.
    Add the water and brown sugar to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the brown sugar has completely dissolved and is simmering.
  • Then cook for a further 3-4 minutes to slightly thicken up.
  • Transfer the cooked tapioca balls to the syrup and mix well.

Step 4: Assemble the Brown Sugar Milk Tea

  • In a tall glass (like a latte glass), add the brown sugar boba mixture to the bottom (or portion them out if making several servings).
    The amount of brown sugar boba mixture you add is adaptable. However, I recommend around 1/3 cup boba/syrup mixture + 1 cup tea + around 1/4 cup milk and ice.
  • Pour the tea over the top and add your milk of choice.
    To get the tiger streak effect: After placing the syrup in the cup, swirl it around so it coats the sides in syrup. Then add the milk.
    Finally, stir well and enjoy!

Storage Instructions

  • The black tea: You can brew the tea 2-3 days in advance and store it in the fridge until you're ready to use it. It will technically be fine for up to 5 days, but the best flavor and freshness is within 3.
    The milk tea (black tea and milk) will also store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    Tapioca pearls: If you're making your own, you can prepare the tapioca balls (uncooked) 6 months in advance. I don't recommend cooking them in advance, as their texture changes fairly quickly and they become unpleasant to eat.
    If you accidentally cook too many tapioca balls, you can store them in the sugar syrup in the fridge for up to a day. Then, reheat them with a splash of water in a microwave or saucepan.
    Brown sugar syrup: Simple syrups can be prepared and stored for several (3-4) weeks in the refrigerator.
    Once fully assembled, it’s best to enjoy the brown sugar boba tea immediately for the best flavor and texture, particularly of the tapioca balls.

Video

Notes

  • Adjust the sweetness: By simply adjusting the amount of brown sugar you add to the boba milk tea recipe.
  • Adjust the amount of milk: You can adjust this to taste.   
  • Make the boba pearls fresh: They stiffen as they cool and lose their chewy texture, not keeping well.
  • For extra flavor: You can slowly braise the cooked tapioca balls in the brown sugar caramel or allow them to steep in the mixture for 30 minutes, so they’re infused with flavor.
Optional Add-ins and Variations:
  • Other tea: You could substitute black tea for green tea or oolong tea.
  • Without tea: Brown sugar milk tea doesn’t necessarily have to have tea in it. Simply omit the tea entirely and just use milk with the brown sugar syrup and tapioca balls.
  • Without milk: Yes, you can even enjoy this bubble tea with no milk for a more robust flavor.
  • Sweetener: Instead of the brown sugar syrup, you could use another sweetener like white sugar, honey, agave, etc. You could even use condensed milk for a creamier boba milk tea, then reduce the amount of added milk.
  • Coffee jelly OR Coconut jelly: This would make for a delicious extra topping in this brown sugar boba tea.
 
Check the blog post for more tips and answers to top FAQs!
Course: Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine: Asian, Taiwanese
Shelf life: Drink Immediately

Nutrition

Calories: 215kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 73mg, Potassium: 107mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 60IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 113mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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