Imagine sipping a luxurious, velvety drink that transports you straight to the bustling streets of Taiwan with every single bubble-filled gulp! This Vanilla Milk Tea Bubble Tea isn't just a beverage—it's an experience that combines the rich depth of black tea, the smooth sweetness of vanilla, and the playful texture of chewy tapioca pearls. Whether you're a bubble tea fanatic or a curious first-timer, this recipe will revolutionize your at-home drink game and make you feel like a professional bubble tea barista in just 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups brewed black tea
- 1/2 cup milk (or non-dairy alternative)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup tapioca pearls
Instructions
- Prepare the tapioca pearls by bringing a medium pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the tapioca pearls and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While pearls are cooking, brew strong black tea using hot water. Let the tea steep for 3-5 minutes, then remove tea bags or leaves.
- Drain the cooked tapioca pearls using a slotted spoon and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer pearls to a small bowl.
- In a separate container, mix sugar with hot tea until completely dissolved. Allow the sweetened tea to cool to room temperature.
- Add milk and vanilla extract to the cooled sweetened tea, stirring gently to combine all ingredients.
- Fill two glasses with the cooked tapioca pearls, adding about 1/4 cup of pearls to each glass.
- Pour the prepared vanilla milk tea over the pearls, filling each glass to the top.
- Add ice cubes if you prefer a chilled drink, and serve immediately with wide bubble tea straws.
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality black tea for the most robust flavor profile.
- Cook tapioca pearls carefully—stirring prevents them from clumping together.
- Rinse pearls with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and maintain their signature chewy texture.
- Adjust sugar levels to your preference; some like it sweeter, some less.
- For a dairy-free version, experiment with almond, oat, or coconut milk.
- Serve immediately after preparation to enjoy the optimal temperature and pearl texture.
- Invest in wide bubble tea straws to easily suck up those delicious tapioca pearls.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 10mg
