by Micky
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Boba tea, also known as bubble tea, is a delicious and refreshing drink that has gained popularity in recent years. If you’re looking for a new twist on your favorite beverage, check out these 25 boba tea recipes.
From fruity and sweet to rich and creamy, there’s a boba tea recipe here for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Grab some tapioca pearls and get brewing!
New to boba tea? Start with How To Drink Boba Tea: Everything You Were Afraid To Ask!
What Is Boba Tea?
Boba tea is a sweet and creamy beverage that originated in Taiwan. It’s typically made by combining tea with milk, fruits or sweeteners and of course, chewy tapioca pearls that sink to the bottom of the drink.
It can be customized to suit any taste. The unique combination of flavors and textures makes boba tea undeniably delicious. Learn more about the best boba tea flavors.
Why Is Boba Tea So Popular?
There are a few reasons why boba tea has taken the world by storm. For one, boba tea is incredibly versatile. It can be made with different types of teas, fruits, and milk to create endless flavor combinations. Plus it can be easily customized to fit any dietary need or preference.
Boba tea is portable and convenient, making it the perfect drink to enjoy on the go. And last but not least, boba tea is simply fun to drink! The chewy tapioca balls add an extra element of playfulness and enjoyment to the experience.
Bubble Tea Vs. Boba Tea
Bubble tea originated as a simple drink made from milk tea and tapioca. The “bubble” part of the name actually referred to the bubbles that were created by shaking up the drink. As time went on and more types of bubble tea were created, people started to refer to the tapioca as the bubbles.
This fun drink goes by many names including boba tea, bubble tea, pearl milk tea and tapioca tea. The tapioca balls in the drink also have many interchangeable names like boba balls, boba pearls and popping boba.
If you’re looking for delicious boba tea to make at home, we recommend checking out an awesome company called Pearly. All of their bubble tea flavors are delicious and so easy to make (just 3 minutes!). Plus their DIY milk tea kits are way cheaper than buying from a boba tea shop!
Types Of Boba Tea
There are many different types of boba tea. To keep it somewhat simple and to help you find the perfect bubble tea recipe, we’ve divided this list of recipes into groups.
- Traditional Bubble Tea Recipes (classic boba recipes made with tea and brown sugar)
- Purple Boba Tea Recipes (taro and ube milk tea recipes)
- Fruit Bubble Teas Recipes (sweet and refreshing)
- Coffee Boba Tea Recipes (boba + caffeine = awesome)
- Unique Bubble Tea Recipes (anyone up for Oreo boba?!)
Our goal was to find bubble tea recipes that are both delicious and easy to make. Most of the ingredients in these recipes are easy to find. For ingredients you might not find at your local store, we’ve provided links to order on Amazon for quick delivery!
Boba Supplies
Besides the actual ingredients, there are a few other items that will help make your boba experience complete.
Boba Glasses
Boba glasses, also known as bubble tea glasses, are an essential accessory. These specialized glasses are designed with a wide and sturdy base to accommodate the generous servings of bubble tea, ensuring stability while sipping those tapioca pearls.
Typically made from durable materials like glass or plastic, boba glasses come in various sizes and styles, often featuring a clear design that allows you to appreciate the vibrant colors and layers of your favorite bubble tea creations.
Below is a great boba glass from one of our favorite boba tea companies called Pearly.
Boba Straws
And don’t forget to buy your extra-wide boba straws so you can enjoy every last bubble of your drink!
Pearly also offers some nice reusable stainless steel straws that come in a convenient pouch with a straw cleaner. Also check out their extra-long boba-stirring spoons and ice cube trays.
If you prefer plastic, another option are these from Amazon that are durable, reusable and dishwasher safe (and come in pretty colors!)
Now, let’s dive into the 25 Best Boba Tea Recipes!
Traditional Bubble Tea Recipes
If you’re interested in making bubble tea at home, a great place to start is with a traditional flavor. While you can find many variations of boba tea, these straightforward recipes are easy to make and stick to the basics.
Traditional bubble tea recipes use black tea as a base, but as you’ll see in these recipes you can use experiment with all types of tea like matcha and jasmine. Or skip the tea and make a sweet and delicious brown sugar milk boba tea!
Simple Bubble Tea Recipe
Why You’ll Like This Classic Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Creamy, delicious and surprisingly simple
- Just 5 easy-to-find ingredients
Easy Boba Tea Ingredients:
- Black tea bags
- Water
- Granulated sugar
- Quick-cooking tapioca pearls
- Whole milk (or half and half)
Matcha Boba Tea
Why You’ll Like This Matcha Boba Tea Recipe:
- Sweet, refreshing and bursting with earthy matcha tea flavor
- Pretty green color beverage with chewy boba pearls at the bottom
- Recipe is from a registered dietician
Matcha Bubble Tea Ingredients
- Dry black tapioca pearls
- Organic cane sugar
- Water
- Matcha powder
- Whole Milk
Hong Kong (HK) Milk Bubble Tea
Why You’ll Like This Hong Kong Milk Tea Recipe:
- Simple recipe with just 5 ingredients
- Instructions for homemade tapioca boba pearls included
Hong Kong Boba Tea Ingredients:
- Ceylon black tea
- Water
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Tapioca boba pearls
- Grass jelly (optional)
Tiger Milk Tea (Brown Sugar Bubble Tea)
Why You’ll Like This Tiger Milk Brown Sugar Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Brown sugar provides just the right amount of sweetness
- Similar to brown sugar milk tea but has signature ‘tiger stripes’ on the inside of the glass and fresh cream on top
Brown Sugar Boba Tea Ingredients
- Muscovado sugar (dark brown sugar)
- Water
- Brown sugar pearls
- Milk
- Heavy cream
- Ice cubes
Jasmine Milk Tea
Why You’ll Like This Jasmine Boba Tea Recipe:
- Sweet, subtle and floral flavor
- One of the most popular flavors in bubble tea shops
Jasmine Bubble Tea Ingredients
- Loose-leaf Jasmine green tea
- Water
- Whole milk
- Cream (optional)
- Light brown sugar
- Tapioca pearls
Hokkaido Milk Tea
Why You’ll Like This Hokkaido Boba Milk Tea Recipe:
- A popular Japanese drink that’s rich and creamy
- Only uses plant-based ingredients
- Can be made with or without boba
Hokkaido Bubble Milk Tea Ingredients
- Uncooked black tapioca pearls
- Water
- Light piloncillo (raw from of cane sugar)
- Loose-leaf Assam tea
- Hokkaido milk or plant-based whole milk substitute
- Vanilla
Okinawa Milk Tea
Why You’ll Like This Okinawa Bubble Milk Tea Recipe:
- Serve hot or cold
- Only 15 minutes to make and just 5 ingredients
Okinawa Boba Tea Ingredients
- Black tea of choice (Assam, Earl Grey, English Breakfast)
- Water
- Tapioca pearls (boba)
- Okinawa brown sugar (kokuto)
- Milk (or plant-based milk)
Oolong Milk Tea
Why You’ll Like This Oolong Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Tea is steeped in milk, not water, for extra creaminess
- Delicious flavor of oolong tea
Oolong Boba Tea Ingredients
- Milk
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Oolong tea leaves
- Raw boba
- Honey
- Ice
Thai Tea Boba
Why You’ll Like This Thai Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Filled with authentic spices like anise, cardamom, and cinnamon
- Step-by-step instructions with photos
Thai Tea Boba Ingredients
- Uncooked black tapioca pearls
- Water
- Cane sugar
- Loose-leaf black tea
- Anise pods
- Green cardamom pods
- Cinnamon stick
- Turmeric
- Coconut milk
Purple Boba Tea Recipes
Have you seen someone with a pretty purple drink with dark spheres at the bottom and wondered “What flavor is the purple boba tea?!” It was most likely a Taro Milk Bubble Tea or possibly an Ube Boba Tea.
Purple taro is a starchy root vegetable that has a sweet, nutty flavor. When combined with milk and tapioca pearls, it makes for a deliciously creamy beverage.
If you’re looking for a purple boba tea recipe to try at home, look no further! We’ve included recipes here that include both classic and creative takes on this popular drink.
Taro Milk Tea (Bubble Tea)
Why You’ll Like This Taro Bubble Tea Recipe:
- It’s like a sophisticated milkshake!
- Naturally vegan, gluten-free, egg-free, and soy-free
- Super easy to make
- Gorgeous purple color
Taro Boba Tea Ingredients:
- Black tapioca pearls
- Boiling water
- Green tea bag
- Sweetened condensed coconut milk
- Taro powder
- Ice for serving
Easy Taro Milk Tea With Boba
Why You’ll Like This Taro Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Uses powdered taro to make it easy
- Includes step-by-step recipe photos
- Provides variations and ingredient substitutions
- Gluten-free and vegan
Taro Boba Milk Tea Ingredients:
- Uncooked black tapioca pearls
- Water
- Cane sugar
- Loose-leaf jasmine green tea
- Vegan-friendly taro powder
- Coconut milk
- Simple syrup
- Sea salt
- Ice for serving
Taro Milk Tea
Why You’ll Like This Taro Boba Tea Recipe:
- Authentic recipe that uses raw taro root
- Provides variations and ingredient substitutions
- Dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian
Taro Bubble Tea Ingredients:
- Peeled and cubed taro
- Milk
- Green tea leaves
- Brown sugar
- Kosher salt
- Purple food coloring (optional)
- Raw boba
- Ice
Easy Taro Milk Tea (Taro Bubble Tea)
Why You’ll Like This Taro Bubble Tea Recipe:
- A healthier version of taro bubble tea
- Processed sugar-free and naturally gluten-free
- Uses a purple potato and taro powder for beautiful color
- Uses vanilla for a delicious, sweet flavor
Taro Boba Tea Ingredients:
- Black tapioca pearls
- Coconut sugar
- Jasmine green tea
- Taro powder
- Coconut sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Whole milk
Instant Pot Sweet Taro Milk
Why You’ll Like This Sweet Taro Milk Recipe:
- Authentic recipe made with thick & smooth mashed taro & purple sweet potatoes
- Instant Pot recipe with only 5 ingredients
- Made without boba
- Great for breakfast
Sweet Taro Milk Ingredients:
- Taro
- Purple sweet potato
- Salt
- Sugar
- Milk
Ube Boba Milk Tea
Why You’ll Like This Ube Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Uses unique ingredients like frozen ube, ube extract, vanilla and honey
Ube Boba Milk Tea Ingredients:
- Frozen ube
- Coconut milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla
- Ube extract
- Milk or evaporated milk
- Tapioca pearls
- Honey (optional)
- Ice
Fruit Bubble Tea Recipes
If you’re looking for a refreshing and delicious drink, a fruit bubble tea is a great option. In this section, we’ll provide some recipes for fruity boba teas that you can make using your favorite fruits.
Whether you prefer strawberry, mango, or lychee flavor, we’ve got a recipe for you. So grab your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a delicious cup of bubble tea!
Lychee Bubble Tea
Why You’ll Like This Lychee Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Features unique, sweet, fruity, tropical flavor of lychee
- Uses convenient canned lychee
- Can use black or green tea
- Includes ingredient substitutions and recipe variations
Lychee Boba Tea Ingredients:
- Boba Pearls
- Water
- White granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Black or green tea bags
- Lychee (canned in syrup)
- Half and half
- Ice
Strawberry Milk Tea
Why You’ll Like This Strawberry Milk Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Made with real, fresh strawberries
- Can be made vegan and dairy-free
- Easy to find ingredients
Strawberry Boba Tea Ingredients:
- Green or black tea bag
- Water
- Fresh strawberries
- White sugar
- Quick cooking boba
- Milk
- Ice
Mango Milk Tea
Why You’ll Like This Mango Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Bright, bold mango flavor
- Beautiful orange color and refreshing flavor for summer
- Includes substitutions to make vegan or dairy-free
Mango Boba Tea Ingredients:
- Green tea bag
- Mango nectar
- Milk
- Quick cook black tapioca pearls
- Sugar
- Water
- Ice
Blueberry Milk Tea
Why You’ll Like This Blueberry Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Made with real blueberries for a rich and creamy, but refreshing flavor
- Gorgeous blue, purple color
- Easy to find ingredients
Blueberry Boba Tea Ingredients:
- Green tea bag
- Blueberry simple syrup (made with fresh blueberries, sugar and water)
- Quick cook black tapioca pearls
- Milk
- Ice
Orange Blossom Honey Bubble Tea
Why You’ll Like This Orange Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Unique recipe using orange blossom honey
- Easy to make in just 15 minutes
- Includes recipe substitutions
Orange Honey Boba Tea Ingredients:
- Instant tapioca pearls
- Orange blossom honey
- Almond milk
- Chamomile tea
- Water
Coffee Bubble Tea Recipes
If you’re a fan of both coffee and bubble tea, then this recipe is for you. It’s simple to make and only requires a few ingredients. Plus, it’s a great way to get your caffeine fix while enjoying a delicious drink.
Iced Boba Coffee
Why You’ll Like This Coffee Bubble Tea Recipe:
- Only 6 ingredients
- Easy to make in less than 20 minutes
- Gluten-free and vegetarian
Coffee Boba Tea Ingredients:
- Tapioca pearls
- Sugar
- Crushed ice
- Cold brew coffee
- Heavy cream
- Honey
Unique Boba and Bubble Tea Recipes
The beauty of boba tea is that the flavor combinations are endless. These creative recipes offer a unique twist on this delicious beverage.
With ingredients like kid-friendly Oreos and sophisticated rose syrup, these unique boba milk tea recipes are worth a try.
Crème Brulee Milk Tea
Inspired by the crème brûlée milk tea from Urban Ritual, this sweet bubble tea is as unique as it is delicious!
Oreo Milk Tea
America’s favorite cookie collides with the national bubble tea sensation! This fun recipe is made with just 5 ingredients: Oreos, boba pearls, milk, tea and simple syrup.
Rose Milk Tea
This rose milk bubble tea has a sweet, delicate flavor and is made with homemade rose syrup. It’s easy to make and perfect to enjoy on a warm summer day. It smells amazing too!
Chocolate Boba Tea
This chocolate boba tea is a bubble tea lover’s dream! It’s also great for kids, those who are new to bob drinks and chocolate lovers too! The warm flavor of tea combines with the sweetness of chocolate and sugar for a flavor explosion.
Wintermelon Milk Tea
This authentic Taiwanese bubble tea has a fresh, sweet and refreshing taste. It’s a from-scratch recipe made with ash gourd.
Now that you’ve seen our 25 best boba tea recipes, it’s time to get brewing! Whether you’re a fan of classic milk tea or looking to try something new, we hope you’ll find a recipe that tantalizes your taste buds. Grab a cup and start sipping!
25+ Boba Tea Recipes
From fruity and sweet to rich and creamy, there’s a boba tea recipe here for everyone.
Ingredients
- Simple Bubble Tea Recipe
- Matcha Boba Tea
- Hong Kong (HK) Milk Bubble Tea
- Tiger Milk Tea (Brown Sugar Bubble Tea)
- Jasmine Milk Tea
- Hokkaido Milk Tea
- Okinawa Milk Tea
- Oolong Milk Tea
- Thai Tea Boba
- Taro Milk Tea (Bubble Tea)
- Easy Taro Milk Tea With Boba
- Taro Milk Tea
- Easy Taro Milk Tea (Taro Bubble Tea)
- Instant Pot Sweet Taro Milk
- Ube Boba Milk Tea
- Lychee Bubble Tea
- Strawberry Milk Tea
- Mango Milk Tea
- Blueberry Milk Tea
- Orange Blossom Honey Bubble Tea
- Iced Boba Coffee
- Creme Brulee Milk Tea
- Oreo Milk Tea
- Rose Milk Tea
- Chocolate Boba Tea
- Wintermelon Milk Tea
Instructions
- Select your favorite boba tea or bubble tea recipe.
- Assemble the required tools and ingredients.
- Prepare the recipe and enjoy!
Notes
Don’t forget to buy yourextra-wide boba strawsso you can enjoy every last bubble of your drink!
Micky
Meet Micky Reed, your go-to snack expert and creator of The Three Snackateers—a hub for all the best sweets and treats to make, try, and buy. From whipping up collaborations with industry giants like Ben & Jerry's to being featured on Delish and PopSugar, Micky's delicious adventures are causing a stir in the foodie world. You can find Micky on IG and Pinterest.
