Homemade Strawberry Boba Tea Recipe

Homemade Strawberry Boba Tea Recipe

This recipe yields a refreshing and customizable strawberry boba tea with chewy tapioca pearls and a creamy, fruity base.

Yields: 1 large serving (approx. 16-20 oz) Prep time: 15-20 minutes (plus cooling time for tapioca) Cook time: 5-7 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Tapioca Pearls (Boba):

• 1/2 cup dried black tapioca pearls (quick-cooking or regular, adjust cooking time accordingly)
• 4-5 cups water (for boiling)
• 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar or desired sweetener (for boba syrup)
• 1/4 cup hot water (for boba syrup)

For the Strawberry Puree/Syrup:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, hulled (if fresh)
• 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar or preferred sweetener (adjust to taste and sweetness of strawberries)
• 1-2 tablespoons water (if needed for blending)

For the Tea Base:

• 1/2 cup strong brewed black tea, green tea, or jasmine tea (chilled) – Optional, you can omit for a milk-based drink
• 1/2 cup milk of choice (dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc.)
• 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk or creamer (adjust to desired sweetness and creaminess) – Optional, can substitute with more sugar/syrup
• Ice cubes

Equipment:

• Small saucepan
• Strainer
• Blender or food processor
• Tall glass
• Boba straw (optional, but recommended)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tapioca Pearls (Boba):

• Boil Water: In a small saucepan, bring 4-5 cups of water to a rolling boil.
• Add Boba: Carefully add the dried tapioca pearls to the boiling water. Stir gently to prevent them from sticking together.
• Cook Boba:
  • For quick-cooking boba: Cook according to package directions, usually 5-7 minutes, or until the pearls are soft and chewy throughout, with no hard center.
  • For regular boba: Cook for 20-30 minutes, or as per package instructions, until soft. Then, turn off the heat, cover, and let them sit for another 15-20 minutes.
• Rinse Boba: Once cooked, drain the boba in a colander and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water. This prevents them from sticking and removes excess starch.
• Make Boba Syrup: In a small bowl, combine 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar (or desired sweetener) with 1/4 cup hot water. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
• Soak Boba: Add the rinsed tapioca pearls to the brown sugar syrup. Stir to coat and let them soak for at least 5-10 minutes. This sweetens them and keeps them from drying out.

2. Prepare the Strawberry Puree/Syrup:

• Blend Strawberries: In a blender or food processor, combine the strawberries, granulated sugar, and 1-2 tablespoons of water (if using frozen strawberries, the water might not be necessary).
• Puree: Blend until smooth. For a smoother syrup, you can strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds, but this is optional.
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste the strawberry puree and add more sugar if desired.

3. Assemble the Strawberry Boba Tea:

• Layer Boba: Spoon a generous amount of the syrupy tapioca pearls into the bottom of your tall glass.
• Add Strawberry Puree: Drizzle some of the strawberry puree along the inside of the glass, letting it swirl down to create a visually appealing effect (as seen in the image). You can also add some directly over the boba.
• Add Ice: Fill the glass with ice cubes to your desired level.
• Combine Liquids: In a separate glass or shaker, combine the chilled brewed tea (if using), milk of choice, and sweetened condensed milk/creamer (if using). Stir well until thoroughly mixed.
• Pour Over Ice: Carefully pour the milk and tea mixture over the ice in the glass.
• Stir and Serve: Give it a good stir with your boba straw to combine all the layers. Enjoy immediately!

Tips for the Best Strawberry Boba Tea:

• Adjust Sweetness: Taste and adjust the amount of sugar/sweetener in each component (boba syrup, strawberry puree, and milk base) to suit your preference.
• Fresh vs. Frozen Strawberries: Fresh strawberries will give a brighter flavor. Frozen can be used for convenience.
• Tea Choice: Black tea (like Earl Grey or Assam) is traditional, but green tea or jasmine tea can offer a lighter, more floral note. For a fruitier, milk-focused drink, you can omit the tea entirely.
• Milk Alternatives: Experiment with different plant-based milks for varying flavors and textures.
• Garnish: A fresh strawberry on the rim or a mint sprig can add a nice touch.
• Serve Immediately: Boba pearls are best consumed within an hour or two of preparation as they can harden over time.

Enjoy your homemade Strawberry Boba Tea!