Thai Iced Tea with Boba Recipe
This Thai Iced Tea with Boba recipe offers a refreshing and authentic beverage experience. Combining fragrant Thai tea with chewy tapioca pearls and a creamy mix of evaporated and sweetened condensed milk, it’s a perfect balance of bold tea flavors, sweetness, and texture. Ideal for a comforting treat or a unique afternoon pick-me-up.
- Author: reem
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
Tea Base
- 1 tablespoon Thai tea mix (use a branded Thai tea powder for authentic flavor)
- 1 teaspoon black tea (loose leaf or 1 bag; optional but enhances flavor)
- 1 cup filtered water (use filtered water for best flavor)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (adjust to taste)
Milk Mixture
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk (adds body without extra sugar)
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (brings sweetness and creaminess)
Boba (Tapioca Pearls)
- 1/4 cup tapioca balls (boba; use small or medium pearls for quicker cooking)
- 3/4 cup water (for boiling boba; bring to a rolling boil)
Additional
- 1 cup ice cubes (fill glass with ice before serving)
- Preparation: Bring the filtered water to about 195°F (just off boil). Combine the Thai tea mix and black tea in the hot water and steep for 5 minutes. Use a fine mesh strainer to pour the tea into a heatproof pitcher, discarding the solids. While the tea is still hot, stir in the brown sugar until fully dissolved. Set the tea aside to cool.
- Cooking the Boba: Bring 3/4 cup of water to a rolling boil in a small saucepan. Add the tapioca balls and cook on medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once cooked, drain the boba and rinse briefly with warm water, then let them cool.
- Milk Preparation: In a small bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk until smooth and combined.
- Assembly: Place the warm tapioca pearls at the bottom of a tall glass. Fill the glass with ice cubes, then pour the cooled tea over the ice. Finally, gently pour the milk mixture on top and give it a gentle stir before serving, so the layers blend slightly but maintain a visually appealing look.
Notes
- Use a fine mesh strainer to ensure a smooth tea without tea leaves.
- Adjust the brown sugar to taste depending on your preference for sweetness.
- Cook the tapioca pearls thoroughly to achieve the desired chewy texture.
- Serve immediately after assembly to enjoy the chewy boba texture and fresh flavors.
- For a vegan option, substitute evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk with plant-based alternatives.
Keywords: Thai iced tea, boba tea, bubble tea, tapioca pearls, Thai beverage, iced tea recipe, sweet tea with milk