Black Tea Bubble Tea Recipe
A refreshing homemade black bubble tea with chewy quick-cooking tapioca pearls, sweetened black tea base, and a creamy finish of whole milk or half-and-half, perfect for a delightful cold beverage experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Taiwanese
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 10 black tea bags
- 6 cups boiling water
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
Bubble Component
- 8.8 ounces quick-cooking tapioca pearls
To Serve
- Whole milk or half-and-half, as required
- Ice cubes, as needed
Instructions
- Prepare the Tea Base: Bring 6 cups of water to a vigorous boil. Remove from heat and add the black tea bags and granulated sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Allow the tea to steep until it cools to room temperature. Once cooled, discard the tea bags to prevent over-brewing and bitterness.
- Cook the Tapioca Pearls: Fifteen minutes before assembling the drink, bring a small saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Add the quick-cooking tapioca pearls while stirring constantly to avoid them sticking together. Boil the pearls for 5 to 7 minutes or until they float to the surface and develop a chewy texture demonstrating they are cooked through. Drain the pearls, rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking, and transfer them to a clean bowl to keep them ready for serving.
- Assemble the Bubble Tea: Evenly distribute the cooked tapioca pearls among four highball glasses. Add ice cubes as desired for chill and refreshment. Pour approximately 1 1/2 cups of the prepared black tea into each glass over the pearls and ice. Top each drink with 2 to 3 tablespoons of whole milk or half-and-half, depending on preferred creaminess. Sweeten further with additional sugar if you like a sweeter drink. Serve immediately with large straws or long spoons to enjoy the tapioca pearls as you sip.
Notes
- Using quick-cooking tapioca pearls shortens cooking time without compromising chewiness.
- Adjust sweetness by varying sugar quantities in the tea or at serving time.
- Whole milk can be swapped for half-and-half or non-dairy alternatives for different creaminess and flavor.
- Serve immediately after assembly to best enjoy the texture of the tapioca pearls and cold tea.
- Large straws are recommended to suck up the tapioca pearls while drinking.
Find it online: https://oliviabakes.com/black-tea-bubble-tea-recipe/
