Strawberry Milk Tea (With Boba)
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.My strawberry milk tea recipe is a sweet, refreshing treat thatโs simple to make at home! Made with homemade strawberry syrup, earthy green tea, and almond milk combined with chewy tapioca pearls, this pink boba summer drink is perfect for warm weather and easy to prepare ahead of time. And since itโs naturally vegan and gluten-free, itโs great for anyone who loves tasty drinks!
I canโt resist strawberries when theyโre in season during the summer! Theyโre plump, juicy, affordable, and a gorgeous shade of red. I love to stock up on them and throw them into smoothie and smoothie bowls (like this strawberry smoothie bowl recipe), muffins, and this strawberry milk tea recipe!
My kids love this pink drink, also known as strawberry bubble tea. It tastes like sweet strawberry milk with a light hint of green tea and occasional pops of gummy bear-like chewiness. Think of it like a homemade strawberry milkshake, just a little bit thinner, with slightly sweet chewy treats inside!
The best part for me is that itโs easy to make at home and also a lot more cost-effective than going to boba shops (like Gong cha) and lower in sugar, too. One bag of boba pearls can make up to six boba tea drinks! This means my family gets to enjoy this sweet and creamy bubble tea ALL summer long!
๐ฉ๐ฝโ๐ณ Why I Love This Recipe
My strawberry milk tea is one of our favorite drinks to enjoy on warm days, but is equally delicious year-round too. The combination of real strawberries, milk, and boba creates a texture and flavor thatโs both refreshing and yummy.
Plus, my recipe can be made with fresh or frozen strawberries so itโs totally all natural. You wonโt find any artificial flavors, colors, or strawberry milk powder here!
Itโs packed with vitamin E and calcium from almond milk (source), and the green tea brings in powerful antioxidants and phytochemicals too (source).
I also like to make it a little healthier than the bubble tea you might get at a cafe. There are only 257 calories in one huge glass of my strawberry boba tea recipe compared to a bubble tea shop that can contain up to 700 calories!
I love how easily I can adjust the sugar content, try different types of tea, or experiment with other berries. Itโs easy to make my recipe your own. And with frozen strawberries, you can enjoy it hot during the winter, making it perfect for any season.
Letโs not forget the fun factor. This pretty light pink drink is as fun to look at as it is to drink! Itโs a hit with my kids and itโs a lot easier on the wallet than frequent trips to boba shops.
Latest Recipe Video!
๐ฅ Ingredients
My easy strawberry milk tea recipe requires only 5 simple ingredients plus chewy boba pearls! Scroll down to the recipe card for the exact measurements and nutritional information.
Tapioca Pearls: Boba pearls, made from tapioca starch, have a chewy gummy-like texture and mild flavor. They are typically soaked in a sugar syrup to make them lightly sweet. Both light or black quick-cooking tapioca pearls can be used for my strawberry boba tea. They are sold in most Asian markets or online.
Fresh Strawberries: No pre-made strawberry milk powder is needed! I use a strawberry simple syrup made from real strawberries that is SO much better. Frozen strawberries can also be used. Cook the berries from frozen (not thawed) and follow the recipe directions as listed.
Sugar: I add a bit of sugar to sweeten the strawberry syrup! Raw sugar, coconut sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, agave, honey, or maple syrup can all be used in place of granulated sugar. Keep in mind that brown sugar and coconut sugar will change the color of this strawberry flavor milk tea, and using honey will make this recipe vegetarian, but not vegan.
Green Tea: Classic green tea or jasmine green tea are both great picks. I like to use tea bags, but loose leaf works great too. Just use a tea diffuser or strain the tea through a sieve to remove the tea leaves. You can also make my recipe with black tea, white tea, oolong tea, or any caffeine-free tea.
Ice Cubes: Homemade strawberry milk tea tastes best chilled! You can add as much ice as desired.
Almond Milk: Almond milk has a mild flavor and creamy texture that blends well with the strawberry syrup. I used unsweetened, but for a sweeter iced tea drink, you can also use sweetened. Alternatively, other dairy-free milks would great substitutions like oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, and cashew milk. If you donโt need this to be vegan, you can use dairy milk (whole milk for a richer taste, low-fat or nonfat for a lighter drink)
๐ช How To Make Strawberry Milk Tea
Learning how to make strawberry milk tea at home is really easy. All you have to do is follow my simple instructions and it will come out perfectly! Watch my video below to see the step-by-step process.
Brew Tea: To begin, I bring one cup of water to a simmer over medium heat in a small saucepan. Then I remove the pan from the heat, add the jasmine tea bags to the hot water, and let them steep for 5 minutes. When ready, I remove the tea bags and set the tea aside to cool to room temperature.
Pro-tip: Chill the tea in the refrigerator to bring it to room temperature faster!
Cook Strawberries: While the tea is cooling off, I add the diced strawberries, sugar, and ยพ cup of cold water to a medium saucepan. Then I bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and let it simmer until the strawberries break down. You can use a potato masher to help them break down faster.
Strain Strawberry Mixture: Once cooked, I pour the strawberry syrup into a fine mesh sieve placed over a bowl and use a spoon to press into the mixture to get as much strawberry juice as possible. Then I set it aside to cool.
Cook Tapioca Pearls: First, I bring a small pot of water to a boil. Then I add the black tapioca pearls, reduce the heat, and let them simmer for 5 to 6 minutes.
Strain Pearls: After cooked, I strain the boba tapioca pearls and transfer them to a small bowl. Next, I add half of the strawberry syrup and stir. Then I let the mixture cool.
Assemble: When ready to serve, I evenly divide the chewy tapioca pearls and syrup between two tall glasses and top with ice.
Add Tea & Milk: To finish the drink, I then divide the cooled tea, milk, and remaining syrup between the two glasses. Then I serve the fresh strawberry milk tea immediately and enjoy!
๐ญ Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for my strawberry bubble tea recipe is to always serve it fresh! Leftover tapioca balls can get mushy or tough. Assembling it right before serving guarantees you get that perfect, sweet, refreshing taste and texture.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Properly Brew The Green Tea: Green tea brews best in water thatโs just simmering (not fully boiling) or at around 180 degrees Fahrenheit (82 degrees Celsius). I typically steep the green tea for 5 minutes, or longer for a stronger flavor.
- Mash The Strawberries: I recommend smashing the strawberries as they cook to help them break down faster and extract the most flavor from the berries. Additionally, press the berries through a sieve to get the most strawberry juice in the syrup.
- Adjust the Sugar Level: If needed, add more sugar to the syrup to make it sweeter. Keep in mind that frozen strawberries are not as sweet as fresh.
- Cool The Ingredients: Allow the strawberry syrup, cooked boba, and tea to cool before assembling the drink. Otherwise, the heat can melt the ice and dilute the beverage. As I mentioned above, I will often just cool them in the fridge to make that process happen faster!
- Give It A Stir: If the drink starts to separate before serving, just give it a good stir to mix everything back together.
- Use A Boba Straw: I always use a wide straw (i.e., the traditional fat straw used for boba) to be able to suck up the boba balls with the tea.
- Make It For Kids: If youโre making this for kids or teens, you can use a decaf tea instead of regular green tea to reduce the caffeine.
- Make It Ahead Of Time: You can make the strawberry syrup and steeped tea ahead of time and store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cook and soak the tapioca pearls as needed and then assemble right before serving.
๐ Variations
My strawberry milk boba recipe is delicious as it is, but it can easily be customized. These are just a few of my favorite variations:
Strawberry Basil Milk Tea: Steep a few leaves of sliced fresh basil in the green tea to make a flavorful herbal variation. Steeping dried lavender buds is also another option.
Strawberry Matcha Milk Tea: For extra green tea flavor, Iโll stir a teaspoon of matcha powder into the brewed tea to make a delicious strawberry green milk tea!
Mixed Berry Milk Tea: Any mix of berries actually works for my recipe! Itโs easy to swap out the strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, or a combination of mixed berries for a different flavor profile.
Strawberry Coconut Milk Tea: Use coconut milk instead of almond milk for a tropical twist.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: For a richer, creamier drink, Iโll add a splash of sweetened condensed milk to the mixture.
Milk Tea Without Boba: If you want to know how to make strawberry milk tea without boba, just omit it altogether! Simply blend the strawberry syrup, green tea, and milk for a smooth, refreshing drink. This version kind of reminds me of a milkshake!
๐ฝ Serving Suggestions
Pink boba tea is wonderful when served cool with plenty of ice and a boba straw! I love enjoying it as a mid-morning pick-me-up or for an afternoon or poolside snack. Itโs also great anytime you simply want to treat yourself or your family with a sweet, but healthier treat. Sometimes Iโll pair it with snacks or turn it into a dessert too!
With Snacks: Pair your boba tea with light snacks like these vegan breakfast cookies, rice cakes, my homemade high protein granola, or a handful of mixed nuts. I like how these snacks add a yummy crunch that complements the creamy texture of the tea.
As Dessert: I love serving this drink alongside other sweet treats like these strawberry donuts, macarons, or a slice of sugar free angel food cake. These light and airy desserts perfectly complement the sweet and creamy tea.
With Toppings: Enhance your strawberry boba tea with toppings like fresh strawberry slices, a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of chia seeds, or a scoop of my lychee ice cream.
๐ง Storage Directions
I strongly recommend serving my vegan strawberry milk tea on the day itโs made for the optimal taste and texture. If you serve it but it sits out for an hour or so, youโll want to stir it before drinking. However, if necessary, you can store the components.
When I need to store this drink, Iโll store the homemade strawberry syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze it in ice cube trays for longer storage. Iโll keep the brewed green tea separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to three days. But I always serve the cooked tapioca pearls fresh if I can (when Iโm in a bind, I will store them in sugar syrup in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours).
โ Recipe FAQs
Yes, because it has green tea, it contains a moderate amount of caffeine, about 30-40 mg per serving. You could always use a decaf tea to avoid the caffeine though.
I have found that tapioca pearls can stick together if they are not stirred during cooking or if they are left to sit without syrup. To prevent sticking, stir the pearls occasionally while cooking and store them in a sugar syrup if not using immediately.
If your tea is too bitter, you can dilute it with a bit more milk or water and add extra syrup to balance the flavor. Next time, try brewing the tea for a shorter period or at a slightly lower temperature.
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๐ Recipe Card
๐ฅ Watch How to Make It
Strawberry Milk Tea
Ingredients
- ยฝ cup (90g) tapioca pearls
- 2ยฝ cups (410g) fresh diced strawberries
- 2 tbsp (25g) sugar
- 2 green tea tea bags
- 1 cup ice
- 1 cup (236 ml) unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Bring 1 cup of water to a simmer, remove from the heat, add the tea bags and steep for 5 minutes. Remove the teabags and set aside to cool completely.
- In a small pot add the diced strawberries, sugar and ยพ cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the strawberries are very soft and mushy.
- Remove from the heat and pour the strawberry syrup through a sieve, pressing with a spoon to get as much juice out of the strawberries as possible.
- Set the strawberry syrup aside to cool completely.
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil, add the tapioca pearls, reduce heat and simmer for 5-6 minutes.
- Strain the tapioca pearls. Add the cooked, hot pearls to a small bowl and stir through ยฝ of the strawberry syrup. Allow to cool completely.
- To serve: Evenly divide the soaked tapioca pearls and syrup between two tall glasses and top with ice.
- Divide the tea, milk and remaining strawberry syrup between the two glasses.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Preparing the tea ahead of time โ Strawberry syrup and steeped tea can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days before use. Cook and soak the tapioca pearls as needed.ย
- Serving the tea fresh โ Once assembled, this tea is best served fresh. Leftover tapioca balls can get mushy or tough. If the drink starts to separate before serving, just give it a stir.ย
- Serving warm or cold-ย Add ice to the drink to enjoy it cool. Alternatively, it can also be served warm.
- Making the tea with frozen strawberriesย โย Frozen strawberries can substitute for fresh berries. Do not defrost before use and follow the recipe directions as listed.
- Sweetening alternatives โ Raw, coconut, brown sugar, or maple syrup can all be used in place of granulated sugar. If using coconut or brown sugar, however, it may slightly change the color of the drink.ย
- Adjusting the sweetness โ If needed, add more sugar to the syrup to make the drink sweeter.ย
I was looking for good fruit boba milk tea recipe form long….Thank you for this wonderful recipe. The strawberry boba tea is just yum….
Awesome, so happy to hear that!
Wow, is this ever good! Such a fun and delicious drink and it’s so easy to make! Thank you!
Thanks so much Heather!
The sweet and fruity flavor of the strawberries perfectly complemented the creamy milk tea, while the chewy boba pearls added a fun and satisfying texture. It’s a refreshing and delicious treat that I can’t wait to make again!
Thanks so much Gianne!
I always see tapioca pearls at my local Asian store, so I’m excited to have a recipe to try them out! Holy smokes, this was SO GOOD and refreshing!
Aw yay! So glad you liked this recipe!
This was such a sweet and refreshing drink that does not disappoint! Easy, quick and delicious; the perfect drink for spring!
I know right?? It really is great for spring and summer!
Great drink! We sweetened it with a bit of maple syrup, as per one of your suggestion! Great texture and flavour!
Thank you so much Ieva!
So excited for this recipe! I just picked up some locally grown strawberrys, and have all the ingredients! Making this weekend! Yum!
Yay! You will love this recipe – can’t wait to hear how it turns out!
This is perfect! It tastes like a treat! It’s Vegan and Gluten-free! Wow, amazing! Thanks, Anjali for sharing this!!
Woohoo!! So glad you liked it Alison!
Well, I never enjoyed my tea like this before! I made it with oolong tea that I love, and it was perfect, thanks!
That’s a great option for this delicious tea! Glad you liked it!
What a lovely idea for summer and healthy too. This is on my to make list.
You will love this recipe Amanda!
This recipe seems like it was made for me! I can’t wait to try this. I absolutely love strawberry milk and bubble tea. Yum!
Yay! Thanks so much Tara! ๐