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Today, we’re diving into a fun and refreshing recipe that combines the sweet flavors of fresh strawberries, creamy milk, tea, and the irresistible chewiness of tapioca pearls: Strawberry Milk Boba Tea. Making this trendy drink at home is easier than you might think – and just as delicious as your favorite bubble tea shop. In this post, I will guide you step by step through the process of crafting this yummy drink in the comfort of your own home. Not only does it taste great, but it’s so rewarding knowing you made it yourself from scratch!
What is Strawberry Milk Boba Tea?
Strawberry Milk Boba Tea, or bubble tea, is a beverage that combines strawberries with creamy milk and tea, and is enhanced with chewy tapioca pearls, also known as boba. This drink is a variation of the popular Taiwanese bubble tea, which traditionally consists of tea, milk, sugar, and tapioca pearls.
We Drove 2 Hours For Milk Boba Tea!
The other day my daughter was craving boba tea; however, the nearest tea shop is literally 50 minutes away from our home. Seriously though, it did sound delightful, especially during the intense summer heat we have going on in Florida right now. Consequently, I bit the bullet and drove the whole 50 minutes away to get us some boba tea. My daughter ordered the strawberry milk boba tea, and I ordered my all-time favorite: taro milk tea. In the end, the whole trip took us 2 hours! And ultimately, that was my main motivator to start making this delicious drink at home.
What Does Strawberry Milk Boba Tea Taste Like?
The primary flavor of strawberry milk boba tea comes from the strawberry syrup, or sauce, which provides the sweet and tangy flavor of strawberries, complimented by rich and creamy milk. For the milk in this recipe, you can use dairy milk or plant-based alternatives like coconut, almond or oat milk. Additionally, it has slight undertones of tea, because we also use black tea in this recipe, though it’s not overpowering. The best part are the tapioca pearls (boba), which add a chewy texture and are what makes strawberry milk boba tea unique. These pearls are slightly sweetened and provide a nice contrast to the drink’s creamy texture.
Why I Love This Recipe, and You Will Too
Chewy tapioca pearls: They add an element of surprise and enjoyment with every sip.
Visual appeal: Really, the layers are just beautiful and the drink is definitely photo-worthy!
Refreshing and satisfying: Strawberry milk boba tea is perfect on a hot day (or any kind of day, really).
Versatile: You can drink this bubble tea warm or cold, and with or without the boba pearls. Your choice.
Variety: You can experiment with dairy or plant-based milks, and black or green teas. Likewise, you can switch up the flavors by swapping the strawberries for a different fruit, like mango, for instance.
How To Make Strawberry Milk Boba Tea
1. Prepare the strawberry sauce
Making your own strawberry sauce, or syrup, is very simple, and makes a difference in the flavor department when compared to store-bought. What’s good about this recipe is, it makes about 4-5 servings. Therefore, you can use what you need now and store the rest in the fridge for future strawberry milk boba teas. To make this small batch of sauce you would need:
1 lb of strawberries (fresh or frozen), sliced
1/3 cup of cane sugar (see recipe notes for substitution)
1 tbsp of water
First, put all ingredients into a saucepan and place on medium to medium-high heat for the first few minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture starts to bubble, lower the heat and gently simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until thickened.
Next, let the mixture cool down and decide if you want a sauce or a syrup. For a sauce, blend it until smooth. I prefer to use a handheld immersion blender for this. For a syrup, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the strawberry seeds and pulp. Store in the fridge until chilled.
2. Prepare the black tea
While the strawberry sauce is chilling, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Turn off heat and add 2 tea bags to the water, then steep for 15 minutes. We add 2 tea bags for a stronger tea, as we’ll be diluting it with milk in this recipe. Remove the tea bags and let it come down to room temperature, then place it in the fridge (optional but recommended for cold strawberry boba milk tea).
3. Prepare your tapioca boba pearls
First, decide if you want to make your own tapioca pearls, aka boba, or if you’d rather purchase them pre-made. For homemade, check out my post on how to easily make homemade tapioca pearls. For pre-made, you can purchase them online or at your local Asian supermarket. Follow the package instructions to boil 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the boba pearls, per serving. Once cooked, drain the water from the saucepan and add a teaspoon of brown sugar (per serving) to the pan with the pearls, then mix together. See recipe notes below for sugar substitution. Set pearls aside for now.
4. Assemble the milk tea
Finally, grab a medium to tall glass or cup and add the boba pearls, ice (optional but recommended), 1/3 cup of strawberry sauce, 1/4 cup of black tea, and 1 cup of milk of choice. Mix all together, take a photo, and enjoy! Even better, pair this strawberry boba tea with these delicious chocolate coconut bites for the ultimate treat.
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Final Thoughts
Making strawberry milk boba tea at home is a rewarding experience that brings the flavors of your favorite bubble tea shop right to your own kitchen. By combining chewy boba tapioca pearls with strawberry sauce, tea, and creamy milk, you create a perfect drink for any time of day. Additionally, it is easy to prepare and offers many customization options, allowing you to experiment with different teas, milks, and fruits. Now, go gather your ingredients, follow this recipe, and enjoy your homemade strawberry milk boba tea!
Strawberry Milk Boba Tea Recipe
Equipment
- Tall cup
- Saucepan
- Mixing spoon
- Sieve or blender
- Boba straw (optional)
Ingredients
Strawberry Sauce (makes 4-5 servings)
- 1 lb strawberries, fresh or frozen
- 1/3 cup cane sugar (see recipe notes for substitution)
- 1 tbsp water
Tea (makes 4 servings)
- 2 teabags (can use black or green tea)
- 1 cup water
Add-Ins
- 1/4 - 1/3 cup boba pearls, aka tapioca pearls
- 1 tsp brown sugar (can also just use 1-2 tsp of the strawberry sauce)
- 1 cup milk (can use dairy or plant-based milk alternatives)
- 1/2 cup ice (optional)
Instructions
Prepare Strawberry Sauce:
- Put strawberries, sugar, and 1 tbsp of water into a saucepan and place on medium to medium-high heat for the first few minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture starts to bubble, lower the heat and gently simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until thickened.
- Let the mixture cool down and decide if you want a sauce or a syrup. For a sauce, blend it until smooth. I prefer to use a handheld immersion blender for this. For a syrup, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the strawberry seeds and pulp. Store in the fridge until chilled.
Prepare Tea:
- While the strawberry sauce is chilling, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Turn off heat and add 2 tea bags to the water, and then steep for 15 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let it come to room temperature, then place in the fridge to chill.
Cook Boba Tapioca Pearls:
- For homemade pearls, check out my post on how to easily make tapioca pearls from scratch. For store-bought pearls, follow the package instructions to boil 1/4 to 1/3 cup of the pearls, per serving. Once cooked, drain the water from the saucepan and add a teaspoon of brown sugar (per serving) to the pan with the pearls, then mix together. Alternatively you can add 1-2 tsp of the strawberry sauce to the pearls.
Assemble Strawberry Milk Boba Tea:
- Add the boba pearls to your glass, ice (if using), 1/3 cup of strawberry sauce, 1/4 cup of black tea, and 1 cup of milk of choice. Mix all together and enjoy!
Notes
- You will have extra servings of the strawberry sauce and the tea. Store the extras in the fridge for future milk teas.
- You can substitute the sugar in this recipe for a natural sugar-free alternative like Monk Fruit Sweetener. Make sure to use less, as it's sweeter than cane sugar. I'd start with 1 tablespoon for the strawberry sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon for the boba pearls. If needed, add more to taste.
- Alternatively, you can substitute the sugar for maple syrup. Add 1 tablespoon - or more to taste - for both the strawberry sauce and the boba pearls.
- Make sure to either add sugar, maple syrup, or strawberry sauce to the warm boba pearls once they're cooked. They need this coating, otherwise the consistency will change and they may become sticky and hard.
- Optional but fun: purchase fat straws made for boba/bubble tea so the boba can fit through. Otherwise, you can use a spoon.
