Description
This Vanilla Boba Milk Tea recipe offers a delightful and refreshing drink that can be enjoyed iced or hot. Featuring brewed tea, sweetened tapioca pearls, rich vanilla extract, and creamy milk, this popular Asian-inspired beverage is easy to prepare at home in just 15 minutes. Perfect for tea lovers looking to add a fun twist, it combines chewy pearls with smooth, flavorful milk tea that can be customized with different tea types and milk options.
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 1 bag tea (black, green, oolong, or preferred type)
- 1 cup (235ml) boiled water
Tapioca Pearls
- ½ cup quick-cooking tapioca pearls
- 2 tbsp sugar (brown, white, or granulated)
- 2 tbsp reserved water from tapioca cooking
Flavor & Milk
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk (unsweetened oat milk used, or preferred milk)
- 1 handful ice cubes (for serving, optional if serving hot)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tea: Boil 1 cup (235ml) of water and add the tea bag or 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea. Steep for 5 minutes to extract full flavor, then allow the tea to cool completely if serving iced.
- Cook Tapioca Pearls: Bring a small saucepan of water to a rolling boil and add the ½ cup of quick-cooking tapioca pearls. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be sure to follow your specific tapioca pearl brand instructions as cooking times may vary.
- Drain and Sweeten Pearls: Reserve 2 tablespoons of the tapioca cooking water and drain the rest. Combine the pearls with the reserved water and 2 tablespoons of sugar, stirring well to coat and sweeten the pearls. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Assemble Drink: Fill two tall glasses with ice cubes. Divide the sweetened tapioca pearls evenly between the glasses. Add 1.5 teaspoons of vanilla extract to each glass.
- Add Tea and Milk: Pour the cooled tea and milk over the pearls and ice. Stir well to combine all flavors evenly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately while the drink is cold and refreshing. For a hot version, use warm milk and skip the ice.
Notes
- Adjust sugar quantity based on your desired sweetness.
- Use any type of tea you prefer for flavor variation.
- Quick-cooking tapioca pearls typically require less cooking time than traditional pearls.
- For a vegan option, use plant-based milk like oat or almond milk.
- Serve immediately for the best texture of boba pearls—over time they can become hard.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
