Quench your thirst with this Tiger Milk Tea with chewy brown sugar boba pearls. My week is incomplete without a cup or two of this bubble tea or our favorite Green Milk Tea.
Tiger Milk Tea, also known as "Tiger Sugar Milk Tea" or "Brown Sugar Milk Tea," originated in Taiwan in the 1980s and has become a popular drink worldwide.
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The bubble tea typically consists of a black tea base mixed with brown sugar syrup and milk, creating a perfect blend of sweetness and creaminess. Adding boba pearls adds a fun component, making it a favorite among many.
Serve with a slice of my matcha roll cake or make it a meal alongside my pumpkin pecan waffle. Other serving options are this savory Samosa from Nagi or this tasty croissant recipe from Dini.
Reasons to Love This Brown Sugar Tiger Milk Tea
- Quick: This bubble tea is ready in less than 30 minutes, a win in my book, especially for busy mornings when I have to dash out the door and don’t feel like spending a buck on coffee.
- Versatility: The best part about matcha milk tea is its versatility. You can enjoy it Hot, iced, or blended. It's always a treat.
- Variations: Easily customize your cup of tea with sweeteners and milk alternatives.
📃Ingredient Description
Brown sugar: My go-to for bubble tea is often brown sugar because of its golden brown color and rich, caramel-like flavor. The flavor blends seamlessly with most milk tea.
Tapioca pearls are small, chewy balls made from tapioca starch. They are added here for their fun, chewy texture.
Black tea: I prefer loose tea leaves over tea bags, which take longer to infuse. If you have only tea bags, use two to three for this recipe, depending on how strong you want it.
Milk: I enjoy the flavor combination of black tea with oat milk. Of course, you can use any milk of choice, whether dairy or plant-based.
💭Variations and Substitutions
Substitution
- Tea: Other tea leaves, such as green, oolong, or herbal tea, can be used instead of black tea. For a non-decaf version, use rooibos tea. *Please note that the flavor will vary.
- Sweetener: Replace the sweetener with honey for a natural and slightly floral flavor.
- Milk: For a creamy and tropical twist, you may opt for coconut milk instead of oat milk. Alternatively, you can use whole milk or any plant-based milk.
📝Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1:
Make the tea- Place loose tea leaves into the infuser of your teapot. Don’t have one? See other easy methods below. Fill the teapot with the hot water, cover and steep for about 5 minutes. Set aside
Step 2:
Make the brown sugar syrup. Place the brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Add hot water and stir until it’s dissolved. Heat on medium-low heat until the syrup is slightly thickened.
Step 3:
Cook the Boba pearls: Bring water to a boil while the sugar thickens. Slowly add the tapioca pearls to the boiling water and stir.
Step 4:
Wait until the pearls float to the top, then cover and cook more until it is softened to your taste. Rinse thoroughly under running water to halt the cooking process.
Step 5:
Pour the cooked boba pearls into the saucepan with brown sugar syrup. Give it a gentle stir and cook for another minute (the syrup will get a little thin). Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Step 6:
Layer the drink- Add the brown sugar boba pearls to the bottom of a tall serving cup. Add ice, pour over the oat milk, then top with the tea. Stir and enjoy!
👩🏽🍳Maur's Tips
- Making brown sugar milk Tea at home is quite simple, but there are a few tips to keep in mind to guarantee the perfect cup every time:
- When preparing the brown sugar syrup, it's best to use dark brown sugar for a richer flavor.
- For the best texture, cook the boba pearls according to the package instructions and add them to the drink while they are still warm.
- While the boba pearls cool in the brown sugar syrup, stir them frequently to prevent them from sticking together.
- For best results, measure 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf tea per 8.Oz of water.
- I like to swirl brown sugar syrup or caramel in my serving cup in a zigzag motion before layering the drink to create -You guessed it! a “tiger effect.” Not that it’s related to the drink.
- Make sure to use high-quality black tea for the base. The type of tea used can significantly affect the overall flavor of the drink.
- Use fresh milk for the creamiest texture.
📝Recipe FAQS
Pour the loose leaves into a cup, then add hot water. Once steeped, place a strainer over a serving cup or mug, gently pour the tea, and discard the leaves.
You can use a tea ball, coffee bags, cheesecloth, tea filter pockets, and a French press to brew loose leaves.
Boba pearls can be found at most Asian grocery stores or online. However, if you are unable to find them or prefer not to use them, there are some substitutes you can use. Tapioca pearls can be replaced with sago pearls, similar in texture to those found at most grocery stores. Another option is jelly cubes, commonly used in bubble tea and found at Asian grocery stores or online.
Love Tea? Here are Some Related Tea Recipes to Try:
Have you given this recipe or any other from my website a try? Please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and sharing your experience in the 📝 comments section. Your feedback means the world to me, and I'm excited to hear from you!
PEACE & LOVE
Maureen
PEACE & LOVE
Maureen
📖 Recipe
Tiger Milk Tea
Equipment
- heavy bottom pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups hot water plus more
- 3 teaspoons loose black tea or 2 tea bags
- ½ cup brown sugar light or dark is fine
- 10 cups Water
- 1 cup black boba tapioca pearls
- Ice
- 2 cups oat milk or preferred milk
Instructions
Make the Tea
- Place loose tea leaves into the infuser of your teapot (if using). Don’t have one? See other easy methods in the FAQ section above. Pour 2 cups (16 fluid ounces) of hot water into the teapot, cover it, and steep it for about 5 minutes (the longer, the better for the best tea flavor). Set aside to cool.3 teaspoons loose black tea, 2 cups hot water plus more
Make the Syrup
- Place the brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Add 3 tablespoons of hot water and stir until it’s dissolved. Heat on medium-low heat until the syrup is just thickened. Set aside½ cup brown sugar
Make the Tapioca Pearls
- In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Slowly add the tapioca pearls to the boiling water and stir.10 cups Water, 1 cup black boba tapioca pearls
- Wait until the pearls float to the top, about 5 minutes.
- Cover the top and cook on medium heat for 4-5 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the pot covered for 3 minutes or until the tapioca pearls are softened to your taste.
- Using a slotted spoon or sieve, scoop out the pearls and run under cold water for about 30 seconds.
- Combine the tapioca pearls with brown sugar syrup
- Pour the cooked boba pearls into the saucepan with the brown sugar syrup. Give it a gentle stir and cook for another minute (the syrup will get a little thin). Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Layer the Drink
- Swirl about half a tablespoon of the brown syrup in a tall serving glass cup. Add the brown sugar boba pearls to the bottom of the same cup. Add ice, pour over the oat milk, and top with the tea. Stir and enjoy using a boba straw or any extra-wide straw.2 cups oat milk, Ice
Video
Notes
- Green tea, oolong, or herbal tea can substitute for black tea leaves. If you prefer a non-decaffeinated version, you may use rooibos tea, although the taste may differ.
- Cook the boba pearls according to the package instructions and add them to the drink while they're still warm for the perfect texture.
- Stir the boba pearls frequently to avoid sticking together while they cool in the brown sugar syrup.
- For the best results, use 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf tea per 8 oz of water, or double the amount if you prefer a more bitter-tasting tea.
kay B says
Omg! I saw this on your IG and I decided to make it yesterday. It was so good! The sugar wasn't overbearing like the ones I get at the boba shop. I will try the matcha next time.
Maureen Celestine says
Hi Kay,
Thanks for stopping by. I am glad it worked out as expected. Please let me know when you try the Matcha recipe.