When I make a lighter version of boba tea at home, I make earl grey milk tea and brown sugar boba from scratch. This is not the authentic way to make boba tea, just the way I like to make it at home to create a similar drink that feels lighter!
I think I’m not alone when I say that my Boba Tea consumption skyrocketed to unsustainable levels in college. When I say unsustainable, I mean both financially and health-wise. I love a delicious, creamy bubble tea as much as the next person but at $4 dollars a drink it can become an expensive habit quickly! Bubble Tea is a great treat, but it took a toll on my body when it became a daily thing. So, of course, as I do anytime I want to cut back on something I ask myself, “How Can I make this Healthier for me?” Turns out, once you get the ingredients, Boba tea is pretty easy to make at home!
After talking to my friend whose mom had been making it for him since childhood, I picked up some advice to try and replicate it as authentically as possible at home.
Boba Tea Ingredients
Since the most important part of this “recipe” is the actual ingredients, I figured i would list out all the important ingredients and where I buy them to help you out.
- Boba : I buy my boba off Amazon, 2 pounds for $10 but I’ve heard that HMart sells it, so I’m going to buy it there next time! The Amazon one is good quality and lasts for a WHILE, easily pays off but I would prefer to source my ingredients from more authentic stores when possible.
- Black Tea : I used to use regular black tea for a long time, but my friend told me that his mom uses Earl Grey Tea instead so I started using Tazo Earl Grey Tea bags for the Boba tea and it’s so much better!
- Boba Straws : Technically not an ingredient, but it’s pretty important to have the right straws to make sure you can actually drink the Boba Tea once made!
What You’ll Need
- 1 cup Uncooked Boba
- 3 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Stevia or Monkfruit
- 1/4 cup Heavy Cream (or 3 Cups Milk of Choice)
- 3 Earl Grey Tea Bags I use Tazo
- 4 cups water
- Ice
Lighter Bubble Tea with Brown Sugar Boba
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 3
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
When I make a lighter version of boba tea at home, I make earl grey milk tea and brown sugar boba from scratch. This is not the authentic way to make boba tea, just the way I like to make it at home to create a similar drink that feels lighter!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Uncooked Boba
- 3 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tbsp Monkfruit Sweetener
- 3 cups 2% Milk, or Whole Milk or Almond Milk
- 3 Earl Grey Tea Bags
- 4 cups water
- Ice
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, drop the boba in and book for 5 minutes (or follow the directions on the Boba package). While the Boba boils, prepare the brown sugar syrup : to a saucepan, add the brown sugar, stevia and 4 tbsp of the boiling boba water. Let the syrup thicken, turn off the flame, add 3 ice cubes and the drained boba. Let this sit while the tea is made.
Black Milk Tea
- Bring the 4 cups of water to a boil, drop in the tea bags and steep for 3-5 minutes. Pour in the cream (if using almond milk, make sure the tea is completely cooled first). Give it a good stir.
Assembly
- To each jar, add a third of the boba with brown sugar syrup, a bunch of ice and a third of the black milk tea. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
Loved the recipe! Tweaked it with my cold brew coffee and it was delicious!
★★★★★
Great recipe! Easy and tasty introduction to making homemade boba for beginners