Description
A rich, creamy, and chewy homemade brown sugar boba milk tea that is cheaper and fresher than shop-bought versions. This easy 5-step recipe features caramelized brown sugar syrup, perfectly cooked tapioca pearls, and bold black tea.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200g) dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (120ml) water (for syrup)
- 1 cup (150g) dry black tapioca pearls
- 8 cups (2 liters) water (for boiling pearls)
- 4 black tea bags (Assam or Ceylon)
- 2 cups (480ml) milk (whole, oat, or almond)
- 1 cup ice
- 1 tablespoon honey or simple syrup (for tossing pearls)
- Honey or additional sugar (optional, for tea)
Instructions
- Brew the tea: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, remove from heat, add tea bags, and steep for 5-7 minutes. Remove bags and let cool to room temperature.
- Cook the pearls: Bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil in a medium saucepan. Add tapioca pearls and stir immediately. Boil for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pearls float and are chewy.
- Rinse and toss pearls: Drain the cooked pearls and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Toss with 1 tablespoon of honey or simple syrup to prevent clumping.
- Make the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup water. Heat over medium-low, stirring constantly, until dissolved and slightly thickened (2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
- Assemble the drink: Drizzle brown sugar syrup down the inside of a wide glass and swirl to create stripes. Add ice halfway up the glass, then pour in brewed black tea, leaving space at the top. Pour in milk.
- Add pearls and serve: Add a generous scoop of cooked tapioca pearls to the glass. Stir well before drinking.
Notes
Use dark brown sugar for the best molasses flavor. Do not skip the cold rinse after boiling pearls to ensure chewy texture. Brown sugar syrup can be made up to a week in advance. Cooked pearls should be eaten within 4 hours for best texture. Use wide straws as regular straws will clog.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large glass
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 45
- Sodium: 40
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: brown sugar boba, homemade boba milk tea, tapioca pearls, bubble tea recipe, dairy-free boba, vegan boba, easy boba recipe