I’m excited to share my rendition of Brown Sugar Tea that combines earthy black tea, velvety milk and chewy tapioca pearls in a sweet brown sugar syrup. I love the balance between richness and refreshing ice cubes, making for a drink that’s truly both unique in its flavor and texture.

Jump to Recipe

I’ve been experimenting with a new take on a classic drink that really blew my mind with its bold mix of flavors. My Brown Sugar Milk Tea Boba recipe brings together the perfect balance of tea and caramel-like sweetness.

I start by cooking 1/2 cup of tapioca pearls in 4 cups of boiling water until they’re chewy and ready for action. Meanwhile, I whip up a syrup by mixing 1 cup of brown sugar with 1/2 cup of water – the aroma is incredible as it bubbles away.

I brew 2 black tea bags in 1 cup of water making sure it’s super strong, then combine everything with 1/2 cup of your favorite milk and plenty of ice cubes to keep it chill. This recipe isn’t just about a simple drink; it’s a fun nod to Brooklyn style boba shops, blending that rich brown sugar tea flavor with the refreshing zing of iced milk tea that leaves you craving more.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this brown sugar milk tea boba recipe because it’s easy to follow and the end result is always super tasty. First, I enjoy it because the chewy tapioca pearls coated in sweet syrup are just the perfect combo of texture and flavor. Also, I like how the strong black tea mixed with milk gives it a really smooth taste that makes every sip refreshing. Another reason is that it reminds me of the boba shops I used to go to and brings back fun memories, making me feel nostalgic sometimes. Lastly, having the flexibility to add as many ice cubes as I want makes it just the right chill drink for any day.

Ingredients

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

Tapioca Pearls: Provide chewy texture and plenty of carbohydrates but offer minimal vitamins or fiber.
Brown Sugar: Adds deep, rich sweetness with lots of simple sugars that boost flavor quickly.
Black Tea: Offers robust flavor and antioxidants that create a nice balance between bitter and sweet.
Milk: Provides creaminess, protein and calcium giving the tea a smooth, fulfilling character.
Water: Used for cooking boba and brewing tea, water is essential to the drink.
Ice Cubes: Add refreshing chill and a fun texture to the tea, perfect for hot afternoons.
Sweet Syrup: Mixes brown sugar and water for a smooth, sticky, delightfully sweet coating.

Ingredient Quantities

1/2 cup tapioca pearls (uncooked, and you’ll need to cook them in boiling water)

4 cups water (for cookin the boba pearls)

1 cup brown sugar (for making the sweet syrup)

1/2 cup water (to mix with the brown sugar)

2 black tea bags (brew ’em strong for the tea)

1 cup water (for brewing the tea)

1/2 cup milk (use any kind you like)

Ice cubes (add as much as you want for a chill drink)

How to Make this

Print Recipe (No Advertisments)

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot; then add 1/2 cup of tapioca pearls and cook them for about 10 to 15 minutes until they’re soft and chewy.

2. Drain the pearls and give them a quick rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.

3. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup brown sugar with 1/2 cup water and heat it on medium, stirring till the sugar dissolves; let it simmer for 3 or 4 minutes until it thickens up a bit.

4. Toss the drained boba pearls in the brown sugar syrup so they are nicely coated.

5. Boil 1 cup water in another pot and steep 2 black tea bags for about 3 to 5 minutes to brew a strong tea; then remove the bags.

6. Mix in 1/2 cup milk to the brewed tea; it doesn’t need to be super cold.

7. Fill your glass with as many ice cubes as you like to make it extra chill.

8. Spoon the syrupy, coated pearls into the glass.

9. Pour the milk tea over the pearls and ice, then give it a good stir so everything mixes together well.

10. Enjoy your brown sugar milk tea boba and sip away with a wide straw!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot to boil water for the tapioca pearls
2. Colander to drain the cooked pearls
3. Small saucepan for making the brown sugar syrup
4. Another pot to brew the black tea
5. Measuring cups to get the right amounts for the ingredients
6. Spoon to stir the syrup and tea together
7. A glass to serve the milk tea
8. A wide straw for sippin the boba drink
9. Ice cube tray if you need to make your own ice cubes

FAQ

How do i cook the tapioca pearls?

Bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil, add the pearls, and let 'em cook for about 20-30 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let them sit for a few minutes so they finish cookin.

How do i make the brown sugar syrup?

Mix 1 cup of brown sugar with 1/2 cup water in a saucepan and heat it over a low flame, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the syrup thickens a bit.

Can i use any kind of milk in this recipe?

Yup, you can use any milk you like. Whether it's cow milk, almond milk, or even oat milk, they all work just fine.

What type of tea should i use for this recipe?

Use 2 strong black tea bags and brew them in 1 cup of water. Make sure the tea is really strong so it doesn't get lost in the sweetness.

How do i put the drink together once everything's ready?

Fill your glass with ice cubes, pour in the brown sugar syrup, add the brewed tea and milk, then stir in the cooked tapioca pearls. Enjoy!

Brown Sugar Milk Tea Boba Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Instead of tapioca pearls, you can use sago pearls if you’re having trouble finding the real deal.
If you don’t have brown sugar, try coconut sugar or even a mix of white sugar and a bit of molasses to get that deep sweetness.
Not a fan of black tea? Earl Grey or chai tea bags work really well for a twist in flavor.
For a dairy free spin, swap out the milk with any nut milk like almond or cashew milk.

Pro Tips

1. Keep an eye on the tapioca pearls while they cook since different brands can cook a bit differently – test one to make sure they’re soft and chewy without overdoing it.
2. Stir the brown sugar syrup constantly on medium heat so it doesnt burn; it thickens quickly, so take it off the heat as soon as it gets the right consistency.
3. Brew your tea just long enough to get that strong flavor, but dont let it steep too long or it might turn bitter – its a fine balance.
4. When you mix everything up, try layering the pearls, ice, and tea so every sip gets the perfect amount of flavor – a little extra stirring makes sure the yummy syrup coats all the pearls evenly.