Homemade bubble tea is a simple mix of strong brewed tea, milk and chewy tapioca pearls, giving you that café-style drink without the cost. It’s quick to make, easy to customise with flavours, and perfect for anyone who loves a fun, refreshing treat at home.
At a Glance
Servings:
1
Difficulty:
Medium
Prep Time:
10-15 minutes
Originating in Taiwan in the 1980s, this creative twist on classic milk tea has become a favourite with younger generations. Bubble tea is easier to make than it looks, you need strong tea, cold milk and chewy tapioca pearls for the perfect treat at home.
What you'll need:
- 2 tea bags (or 1 tbsp loose‑leaf tea)
- 250ml boiling water
- 2–3 tbsp sugar or honey (to taste)
- 100ml milk (dairy or oat/soy/almond)
- ½ cup quick‑cook tapioca pearls
- Ice cubes
Method:
- Brew the tea
Steep the tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove the bags and stir in the sugar while the tea is hot. Let it cool. - Cook the tapioca pearls
Bring a small pot of water to the boil. Add the pearls and cook according to the pack instructions (usually 3–5 minutes for quick‑cook). Drain and rinse briefly with cold water. - Sweeten the pearls (optional)
Toss the cooked pearls in 1 tbsp sugar or honey to keep them soft and glossy. - Assemble
Add the pearls to the bottom of a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the cooled tea, then top with milk. - Stir and enjoy
Use a wide straw or spoon to mix everything together.
Top tip: If you’re planning to serve more people, just multiply everything by the number of drinks you want to make.
Some variations you can try:
- Brown sugar boba: Coat the cooked pearls in brown sugar syrup before adding to the glass.
- Matcha bubble tea: Swap the black tea for whisked matcha.
- Fruit bubble tea: Use fruit tea and add a splash of juice instead of milk.
- Vanilla milk tea: Add a few drops of vanilla extract to the tea.
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