Classic Bubble Tea
This recipe guides you through making classic bubble tea at home, featuring chewy tapioca pearls steeped in a rich black tea base with milk and a touch of sweetness. Customize the sugar level to your preference for a perfect refreshing drink. It's a fun and satisfying beverage for any time of day.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 30 min
- Serves
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Per serving
- 322 kcal
Allergen information: may contain milk. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
Ingredients
- 0.5 cuptapioca pearl, uncooked, quick-cooking
- 2 pcsblack tea bag
- 0.75 cupmilk
- 0.5 cupice cube
for pearls
- 6 cupwater
- 2 tbspgranulated sugar
for tea
- 1.5 cuphot water
for syrup
- 2 tbspbrown sugar
- 2 tbspwater
Equipment
wide straw · strainer · tall glass · small saucepan · small bowl · medium pot
The method
Step by step
- 1
Bring the water for pearls to a rolling boil in a medium pot.
About 3 min
- 2
Add the tapioca pearls to the boiling water, stir gently to prevent sticking, and cook according to package directions, usually 5-7 minutes for quick-cooking pearls, or until soft and chewy.
About 7 min
Cook’s note: Taste a pearl to ensure it's cooked through; it should be soft all the way to the center.
- 3
Once cooked, drain the pearls and rinse them briefly under cold water to remove excess starch.
About 1 min
- 4
Toss the rinsed pearls with the granulated sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: This step adds sweetness and prevents the pearls from sticking together.
- 5
Steep the black tea bags in the hot water for tea for 5 minutes, then remove the tea bags and let the tea cool to room temperature.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: For stronger tea flavor, steep for an additional minute or two.
- 6
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar and water for syrup. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely and forms a light syrup.
About 3 min
- 7
To assemble, divide the sugared tapioca pearls between two tall glasses.
About 1 min
- 8
Pour half of the brown sugar syrup into each glass, swirling to coat the pearls and the sides of the glass.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Adjust the amount of syrup to your desired sweetness.
- 9
Add the ice cubes to each glass.
- 10
Pour the cooled black tea into each glass, then top with the milk.
About 1 min
- 11
Stir well before serving with a wide straw.
About 1 min
Per serving
Nutrition
- Calories
- 322.1kcal
- Protein
- 3.1g
- Carbs
- 75.8g
- Fat
- 0.9g
- Fibre
- 0.9g
- Sugar
- 32.9g
Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.
Keep it good
Bubble tea is best enjoyed fresh; tapioca pearls can become hard if stored for too long.
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