Jasmine Milk Tea
Jasmine milk tea is an aromatic drink with creamy, floral, and delicately sweet notes. With a base of jasmine tea, plant-based milk, and chewy tapioca pearls, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how simple it is to make a homemade version.
If you’re tired of the high price tags of bubble tea shops, this jasmine milk tea recipe is for you! With just a few ingredients, it’s an inexpensive way to cool off on hot days. And if you love bubble tea as much as I do, check out my oolong milk tea!
Why I love this recipe
This jasmine milk tea recipe is unbelievably quick and easy to make. It’s my favorite drink to make as an afternoon pick-me-up.
You only need four ingredients โ jasmine green tea, coconut milk, cane sugar, and tapioca pearls. Simply steep the tea, cook the boba, and combine everything in your favorite bubble tea glass.
Once assembled, it’s perfectly creamy, floral, and refreshing. Just don’t forget to serve it with a bubble tea straw to slurp up every last chewy pearl!
Ingredient notes
This jasmine milk tea requires only pantry ingredients. Find a full breakdown and suitable substitutes below.
Jasmine tea
I prefer loose-leaf jasmine green tea, but you can also use dragon pearls or tea bags. To avoid a bitter taste, do not let it steep past 2-3 minutes.
Substitute: Try other jasmine teas like jasmine white, oolong, or black tea.
Plant milk
My preferred choices for jasmine milk tea are coconut, soy, and oat milk. For a lighter consistency, try almond or rice milk.
Sweetener
I use cane sugarย to sweeten both the boba and jasmine milk tea. Adjust the amount depending on your preferences.
Substitute: You can use beet sugar, brown rice syrup, or date sugar instead.
Tapioca pearls
Also known as boba, you can purchaseย uncooked tapioca pearlsย at any Asian food market or online. To save time, useย quick-cooking boba, but note that the flavor and texture won’t be as delicious.
For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.
How to make
Learn the best way to make jasmine milk tea with my straightforward, easy-to-follow instructions. Look for the tips in green throughout this section for consistent and successful results!
Cooking
Step 1
In a medium-large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Once itโs boiling, add the tapioca pearls and lower the heat to just under medium. Simmer the boba for 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
The cooking time will depend on your specific pearls. Make sure to check your package for instructions, but mine take 25-30 minutes. In comparison, quick-cooking pearls take about 5 minutes.
Step 2
Add cane sugar and water to a small saucepan and whisk them together. Bring the mixture to a simmer for a few minutes until the sugar dissolves. Remove the pan from the heat and reserve a few tablespoons, then add the rest to a medium mixing bowl.
Step 3
Strain the tapioca pearls through a fine-mesh strainer, rinsing them gently. Transfer the pearls to the mixing bowl with the syrup and stir to combine. Set them aside to soak while you make the rest of your jasmine milk tea.
Step 4
While the tapioca pearls are soaking, bring water to boil for the tea, then let it cool for a few minutes (it should be ~175-180 degrees Fahrenheit). Brew the jasmine tea for 2-3 minutes, then remove the leaves and let the tea cool down.
Donโt steep the tea past 3 minutes to prevent a bitter jasmine milk tea.
Step 5
Using a slotted spoon, add a few tablespoons of tapioca pearls to a serving glass. Add a handful of ice, then pour the jasmine tea up to about halfway or slightly more.
Step 6
Top your cup off with coconut milk or another plant milk. Give the jasmine milk tea mixture a stir before serving. Happy drinking!
Expert tip
Since there are so few ingredients, I highly recommend splurging on some quality tea. Opt for loose-leaf jasmine tea for the best flavor profile.
The brewing temperature and time are also critical โย too hot or too long can make the tea bitter. Remember to set a timer to prevent oversteeping it.
If possible, use a digital tea kettle that displays the temperature for the most accurate and consistent results, especially if you plan on making a lot of bubble tea at home.
Cooking tips
Prep in advance:ย To make your preparation quicker, make the simple syrup and brew the tea a few hours in advance and let them cool.
Milk selection: Experiment with different plant milks to find your preferred taste profile and creaminess.
Cook the pearls correctly: The pearls are fully cooked when they float to the top of the saucepan, but I suggest trying one. It should be soft yet slightly springy.
Serve immediately: For the best-tasting boba, serve your bubble tea immediately. As the tapioca pearls cool, they harden and become gritty.
Frequently asked questions
Brew jasmine tea at the correct temperature (175-180 degrees Fahrenheit) and steep it for only 2-3 minutes to prevent bitterness.
The caffeine content depends on the tea varietal, but jasmine tea is generally not caffeine-free. Jasmine black tea contains the highest caffeine content, while jasmine white tea contains the least.
Jasmine tea leaves can be reused for a second brew. However, keep in mind that the flavor will be milder.
Storing
Jasmine milk tea is best consumed fresh. However, if you have leftovers, separate the tea from the pearls before storing.
Fridge
Store the milk tea in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the cooked tapiocal pearls in a separate container.
Freezer
You can freeze extra jasmine milk tea without boba in ice cube trays. Use the flavored ice cubes in another milk tea to prevent diluting it.
More tea & coffee recipes
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Recipe
Creamy Jasmine Milk Tea (With Boba)
Equipment
- Teapot
- Medium saucepan
- Small saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Boba straw
Ingredients
Boba
- ยฝ cup uncooked black tapioca pearls
- 6 cups water
- โ cup cane sugar + โ cup water
Jasmine tea
- 4 cups filtered water
- 2 tablespoons loose-leaf jasmine green tea
To serve
- 1 cup coconut, soy, or oat milk
- 3-4 tablespoons extra simple syrup
- Ice to serve
Instructions
Boba
- Bring the water for the tapioca pearls to boil in a medium-large saucepan. Once boiling, add in the tapioca pearls and lower the heat to just under medium.
- Simmer for 15-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook time will depend on your specific pearls (check the package for instructions).
- In the meantime, prepare the simple syrup. Add cane sugar and water to a small saucepan and whisk together. Bring to a simmer for about 3-5 minutes until the sugar fully dissolves. Remove the saucepan from the heat and reserve ยผ cup, then add the rest to a medium mixing bowl.
- Strain the tapioca pearls through a fine-mesh strainer, rinsing them lightly. Transfer the pearls to the mixing bowl with the simple syrup and stir to combine. Set aside for ~30-40 minutes to soak.
Jasmine tea
- Bring water for the tea to a boil, then let it cool for a few minutes (it should be ~175-180ยฐF). Brew the jasmine tea for 2-3 minutes, then remove the leaves and let the tea cool to room temperature.
Assembly
- Add 3-4 tablespoons of tapioca pearls to a glass, then a handful of ice. Add 2-4 teaspoons of simple syrup. Pour the jasmine tea ยฝ – ยพ of the way up, then fill the rest with milk. Happy drinking!
Notes
Nutrition
Note: Iโve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.
Justine Drosdovech is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. She is a self-taught plant-based chef but uses her healthcare background to craft dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.