Go Back
Strawberry Bubble Tea Recipe
Ash Tyrrell

Strawberry Bubble Tea Recipe

There’s something so fun about making strawberry bubble tea at home. I tried this recipe on a warm afternoon, and honestly, it tasted even better than the café version. The creamy strawberry flavor mixed with chewy boba pearls made every sip refreshing and satisfying. I love how easy it is to customize the sweetness and tea strength to my taste.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 black tea bags
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 4 cups strawberry milk
  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking tapioca pearls
  • 4 tablespoons simple syrup
  • Ice cubes as needed

Method
 

  1. Start by heating water until hot but not boiling aggressively. Place the tea bags into the hot water and let them steep for at least 10 minutes. This creates a stronger tea flavor that balances nicely with the sweetness of the strawberry milk.
  2. You can use either black tea or green tea depending on your preference. I personally enjoy black tea because it gives the drink a richer and deeper flavor. After steeping, allow the tea to cool slightly before using it in the drink.
  3. If you want to save time later, you can prepare the tea ahead of time and chill it in the refrigerator. Cold tea blends perfectly with ice and strawberry milk without watering down the flavor.
  4. While the tea is steeping, prepare the tapioca pearls according to the package instructions. Most quick-cooking boba pearls only need about 5 minutes of boiling followed by a few minutes of resting with the lid covered.
  5. As the pearls cook, they will rise to the top of the water. This usually means they are becoming soft and chewy. Stir occasionally so they do not stick together at the bottom of the pan.
  6. Once cooked, remove the pearls with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a bowl. Mix them with simple syrup to keep them soft and sweet. This step also prevents the pearls from sticking together after cooking.
  7. Freshly cooked boba tastes the best, so try to use it within an hour. If left too long, the pearls can become hard and lose their chewy texture.
  8. Take four serving glasses and divide the sweetened tapioca pearls evenly into each glass. Add a handful of ice cubes if you prefer your drink extra chilled and refreshing.
  9. Pour a small amount of brewed tea into each glass. Usually, about one-fourth cup per serving gives the perfect balance between tea and strawberry flavor. Slowly pour the strawberry milk over the tea to create a beautiful layered appearance.
  10. The soft pink color makes the drink look incredibly appealing. Stir lightly before drinking so the tea and strawberry milk combine smoothly together.
  11. To make the drink even more delicious, you can garnish it with fresh strawberry slices or whipped cream on top. Sometimes I also drizzle a little extra strawberry syrup for added sweetness and color.
  12. Serve the drink immediately with wide bubble tea straws. The large straws allow the chewy boba pearls to pass through easily while sipping.
  13. The final result is creamy, fruity, refreshing, and full of texture. Every sip combines sweet strawberry milk with soft chewy pearls and smooth tea flavor.

Notes

  • I always use freshly cooked tapioca pearls because they stay soft and chewy. Older pearls become hard quickly.
  • I prefer black tea for a stronger flavor, but green tea works well if you like a lighter taste.
  • When I want a more natural strawberry flavor, I blend fresh strawberries with milk instead of using ready-made strawberry milk.
  • I chill the brewed tea before mixing it into the drink because warm tea melts the ice too quickly.
  • I like adding brown sugar syrup to the boba pearls because it gives a richer caramel-like sweetness.
  • If the drink tastes too sweet, I simply add more tea or a little plain milk to balance the flavors.
  • I always serve the bubble tea immediately after assembling for the best texture and freshness.